UCSF Radiology On-Call Imaging is a comprehensive continuing medical education program developed by the Department of Radiology at University of California, San Francisco. The course is designed for practicing radiologists who have general on-call responsibilities, as well as for clinicians seeking to strengthen their diagnostic imaging skills in the evaluation of patients presenting with acute conditions.
This program focuses on both traumatic and non-traumatic emergencies, providing practical imaging strategies that help clinicians quickly recognize critical findings and make accurate diagnostic decisions during on-call situations. Through case-based discussions and systematic imaging approaches, participants gain insight into the most common and high-risk conditions encountered in emergency radiology.
The curriculum emphasizes real-world clinical scenarios and highlights imaging interpretation techniques across several major body systems.
Learning Focus Areas
Thoracic Imaging
Participants review key imaging findings associated with acute thoracic conditions, including:
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Acute aortic syndromes
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Pulmonary embolism
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Acute lung diseases
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Incidental findings on chest CT
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Urgent cardiac findings detected on routine chest CT
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Complex chest radiograph cases encountered in emergency settings
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Pulmonary infections and the role of imaging in diagnosis
Neurological Imaging
This section explores diagnostic strategies for neurological emergencies and complex presentations, including:
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Intracranial hemorrhage and differential diagnosis
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Intracranial infection
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Spine trauma
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Spine infection and inflammatory conditions
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Head and neck emergencies
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Facial symptoms and neuroradiology evaluation
Musculoskeletal Imaging
The musculoskeletal module focuses on imaging techniques used to assess traumatic injuries and infections involving major joints and skeletal structures:
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Shoulder trauma
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Knee trauma
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Pelvic and hip trauma
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Ankle and foot trauma
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Musculoskeletal infections
Abdominal and Pelvic Imaging
This section provides a systematic approach to evaluating abdominal and pelvic emergencies affecting gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and reproductive systems:
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Acute gastrointestinal conditions
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Hepatopancreatobiliary emergencies
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Abdominal vascular disease and acute injury
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Bowel and mesenteric trauma
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Acute genitourinary conditions
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Urinary tract trauma
Women’s Imaging and Pregnancy-Related Emergencies
Participants also learn imaging approaches to acute pelvic and abdominal pain in female patients, including:
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Evaluation of abdominal-pelvic pain with a positive pregnancy test
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Evaluation of abdominal-pelvic pain with a negative pregnancy test
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Abdominal and pelvic emergencies during pregnancy
Additional Emergency Imaging Topics
The program also addresses other critical on-call imaging scenarios, including:
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Acute testicular pain beyond common causes such as torsion and epididymo-orchitis
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Case-based approaches to vascular emergencies
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Diagnostic strategies for complex emergency imaging presentations
Program Benefits
This program provides radiologists with practical, clinically focused education designed to improve confidence and efficiency in emergency imaging interpretation. By covering a wide range of urgent conditions across multiple body systems, the course supports better diagnostic accuracy and enhanced patient care in high-pressure on-call environments.
Participants will gain a structured framework for evaluating emergency imaging studies, recognizing critical findings, and communicating results effectively with referring clinicians.