Interventional Ultrasound Department

The Department of Interventional Ultrasound of the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, as the first specialized department in Shandong Province to achieve integrated development of ultrasound diagnosis and interventional treatment, has consistently led the forefront of image-guided minimally invasive techniques. Adapting to the trend toward precision and minimally invasive medicine, the department integrates clinical diagnosis and treatment, scientific research, and talent development, and has now developed into the most influential interventional ultrasound diagnosis and treatment center in the province, enjoying broad recognition among its peers nationwide.

Guided by clinical needs, the department continues to make breakthroughs in tumor ablation treatment involving multiple organs. It currently performs ultrasound-guided thermal ablation of the liver, kidneys, thyroid, uterus, lymph nodes, and other sites with proficiency, completing more than 20000 interventional procedures of various types annually, with its volume of diagnosis and treatment consistently ranking first in the province. With advantages including minimal trauma, rapid recovery, definite efficacy, and few complications, this series of minimally invasive techniques has significantly improved patients’ quality of life and prolonged survival, providing a completely new treatment option for patients who are unsuitable for surgery or refuse open surgery. The department has established an interventional ultrasound diagnosis and treatment system covering multiple organ systems throughout the body, forming a five-category core technology matrix:

· Tumor ablation treatment: Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency/microwave ablation of tumors in solid organs such as the thyroid, parathyroid, breast, liver, and kidneys, achieving precise local inactivation of tumors;

· Minimally invasive rotary-cut excision of breast lesions: Precise excision of benign breast nodules, taking into account treatment efficacy as well as breast aesthetics and functional preservation;

· Multiorgan needle biopsy: Covering superficial tissues, the musculoskeletal system, and deep solid organs such as the liver, pancreas, lungs, and ovaries, as well as hollow organs such as the gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder, providing pathological evidence for the early diagnosis of disease;

· Structural drainage techniques: Procedures including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, gallbladder puncture drainage, and nephrostomy, effectively relieving clinical emergencies caused by obstructive lesions;

· Precise drainage of fluid collections: Precise puncture drainage of fluid collections and purulent collections in the pleural cavity, abdominal cavity, mediastinum, and superficial regions, supporting infection control and disease stabilization. The clinical application of these techniques enables safe minimally invasive intervention in numerous complex cases under real-time ultrasound monitoring, significantly reducing the risks of traditional surgery.

The department brings together a first-class expert team in China. Professor Zhang Huawei, the current department director, is a renowned expert in the field of interventional ultrasound in China and has long been dedicated to the clinical application and promotion of ultrasound-guided tumor ablation techniques; Professor Liang Bo, as a pioneer in this field in Shandong Province, laid a solid foundation for the development of the specialty. The team currently has 8 physicians, including 2 doctoral supervisors and 4 physicians holding the title of associate chief physician or above, forming a talent echelon with a sound structure, outstanding technical expertise, and strong innovation capabilities. Team members regularly participate in academic exchanges in China and abroad and continuously introduce and optimize advanced technical protocols, ensuring that clinical services consistently remain at the forefront of the field.

To meet the healthcare needs of different patients, the department has established a multi-campus diagnosis and treatment network: outpatient services at the Central Campus are located in Ultrasound Examination Room 12 in the central area on the third floor; Ultrasound Examination Rooms 9 and 10 are located on the third floor of the Women’s and Children’s Comprehensive Building; the Interventional Ultrasound Room is on the first floor of Inpatient Building No. 1; and the Olympic Sports Campus also has standardized diagnosis and treatment facilities (the specific locations are subject to dynamic adjustment according to the hospital layout). This multi-site distribution model addresses the needs of inpatients for preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up while providing outpatients from various regions with convenient and efficient access to care, truly realizing the accessibility and universal benefit of high-quality medical resources.

Scientific research innovation and talent development are the core drivers of the department’s sustainable development. In recent years, the team has undertaken 2 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and 3 projects funded by the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation. Its research findings have been published in internationally authoritative journals, with more than ten SCI-indexed papers accumulated, the highest impact factor for a single paper reaching 15.1 points, fully demonstrating its academic influence. In terms of talent development, Professor Zhang Huawei, as a postgraduate supervisor, has trained more than ten postdoctoral researchers, doctoral students, master’s students, and physicians undergoing standardized training. Many graduates have become key ultrasound professionals in medical institutions at various levels, creating a positive talent-radiation effect.

Relying on the hospital’s comprehensive strength, the Department of Interventional Ultrasound of Shandong Provincial Hospital is continuously expanding the boundaries of technology and deepening specialty development, with the goal of building a regional highland for interventional ultrasound diagnosis and treatment based in Shandong and serving the whole country. The department will always uphold the service philosophy of “precision, minimally invasive care, safety, and efficiency,” promote technological innovation and service optimization with patients at the center, and bring the benefits of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment to more patients.