An Overview of Our Department’s Research
Diagnostic radiology is a discipline that continually pursues more efficient visualization of the human body and the development of safer image-guided therapeutic techniques.
Past Research Activities of the Department
From the 1970s through the 2000s, our department primarily focused on imaging–pathologic correlation studies. Representative achievements include the development of the double-contrast radiographic technique of the stomach by Prof. Kenji Kumakura and colleagues in the 1970s–1980s; the diagnosis of hepatic tumors using MRI contrast agents such as SPIO and EOB in the 1980s–1990s; and multimodality imaging of renal tumors using ultrasonography, CT, and MRI in the 1990s–2000s by the staff members
In addition, during the 1990s, Prof. Kyoichi Hiramatsu and colleagues played a major role in the introduction and dissemination of image-guided interventions in Japan.
In the 2000s, rapid advances in CT and MRI hardware enabled our department to conduct research aimed at establishing minimally invasive and efficient diagnostic workflows (diagnostic algorithms) using state-of-the-art imaging systems and techniques. Notable efforts include the development of CT-based diagnostic algorithms for ischemic heart disease by Prof. Saxhio Kuribayashi and colleagues, and the establishment of efficient diagnostic workflows for renal and urinary tract imaging by the staff members.
Current Research Activities of the Department
Research activities in our department are promoted under two major categories: foundational research and pioneering research.
1. Foundational Research
Foundational research aims to improve the diagnostic performance of existing imaging modalities (including imaging–pathologic correlation), enhance diagnostic efficiency and reduce invasiveness (such as faster image acquisition, improved image quality, and radiation dose reduction), and advance quantitative imaging. Many of these studies build upon long-standing research efforts within the department.
Our goal is to generate outcomes that become clinical standards, and as a result, our department has been extensively involved in the development of national and international clinical guidelines.
List of clinical guidelines recently contributed to by the department (Japanese only)
2. Pioneering Research
Pioneering research represents challenging initiatives that explore the future directions of diagnostic imaging by utilizing newly developed or emerging devices, radionuclides, and techniques. Major areas include the following:
(1) Device Development
- Development and clinical application of upright CT (visualization of the human body under gravity)
- Development of breast ultrasound CT (noninvasive breast imaging)
(2) Visualization of New Anatomical and Functional Domains
- Visualization of the lymphatic system (photoacoustic imaging, MR lymphangiography)
(3) Nuclear Medicine Animal Experiments and Introduction of New Radionuclides
- Applications of NaF, tau, amyloid, and PSMA imaging
(4) Development of Novel Interventional Radiology (IVR) Techniques
- Vascular malformations, lymphatic interventions, biliary interventions, transplantation, and cryoablation
(5) Promotion of Medical Digital Transformation (DX) and Implementation of IT/AI
- IT and AI integration in radiology (AI Hospital Project)
- J-MID Project
