China's Top Departments: Medical Imaging at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University

If you need an accurate diagnosis for a complex tumor, a brain condition, or a challenging case that has eluded imaging elsewhere, the Department of Medical Imaging at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University is one of Northwest China's most advanced centers. Founded in 1956 by the renowned radiologist Professor Qian Zhizhong, the department has grown over nearly 70 years into a National Key Clinical Specialty (Cultivation) and one of the first Advantageous Medical Disciplines in Shaanxi Province.

In the Fudan Ranking of Chinese Hospitals, its Radiology department ranks 2nd in Northwest China. The department is also a doctoral program site for Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine.

At Medora, we've helped international patients access the department's diagnostic expertise — especially for neurological tumors, chest disease, and CT-guided interventions. Here's what you need to know.

A Legacy of Innovation

• 1956: Founded by Professor Qian Zhizhong, who pioneered "Qian's Classification" for X-ray diagnosis of Kashin-Beck disease — winner of the Second Prize at the 1978 National Science Conference
• One of the first hospitals in China to acquire MRI equipment; published China's first MRI monograph, "Magnetic Resonance Diagnostics"
• 1992: Began a long-running partnership with Emory University (USA) for international imaging training programs
• 2000: Completed integration of X-ray, CT, and MRI subspecialties
• Received 1 National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class) and 13 Provincial/Ministerial Science and Technology Progress Awards
• Won 3 National Teaching Achievement Awards (Second Class)

Expert Team

The department has over 100 medical staff, including 20 senior professionals, 7 doctoral supervisors, and 10 master's supervisors, along with numerous postdoctoral and doctoral-level physicians.

Academic Leader:

• Prof. Zhang Ming: Chief Physician (Level 1), Doctoral Supervisor, Chairman of the Shaanxi Radiology Society, Vice Chairman of the Teaching Steering Committee for Medical Technology Majors under the Ministry of Education, recipient of the Shaanxi May Day Labor Medal and Shaanxi Provincial Teaching Master title.

Department Director:

• Prof. Yang Jian: Chief Scientist of a National Key R&D Program, internationally recognized for early screening, precise diagnosis, and optimal treatment of neonatal cerebral white matter injury.

Notable Specialists:

• Prof. Yu Bolang: Expert in craniocerebral anatomy, infectious diseases, and tumor imaging
• Prof. Guo Youmin: Expert in chest imaging; principal investigator of the national "Digital Lung" major industry project
• Prof. Sun Xingwang: Expert in digestive, urinary, and reproductive system imaging
• Prof. Liu Jun: Expert in whole-body X-ray, CT, and MR diagnosis
• Prof. Du Hongwen: Expert in breast and chest disease imaging

Core Strengths & Specialties

1. Neurological Imaging — National Advanced Level

The department published China's first CT and MR differential diagnosis textbook for the central nervous system and a 1.5-million-word cranial CT/MR diagnostic monograph. Deep expertise in neurological tumor and infectious disease imaging. Cutting-edge research in brain functional imaging, neonatal brain development, and brain injury.

2. Chest Imaging — Domestically Advanced

Advanced research in lung tumors, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and MR lung functional imaging. Co-recipient of the 2008 National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class).

3. CT-Guided Interventional Diagnosis & Treatment — Pioneer in Northwest China

The earliest unit in Northwest China to perform CT-guided interventional procedures, with over 10,000 successful cases completed to date.

What this means for you: When a lesion is difficult to reach or a biopsy requires exceptional precision, CT-guided intervention offers a minimally invasive path to diagnosis or treatment — without open surgery.

4. Breast Imaging

X-ray mammography localization and multimodal MRI techniques, with nationally advanced academic standing.

5. Musculoskeletal Imaging

Published 5 monographs on bone and joint imaging; outstanding advantages supported by the latest MRI and CT equipment.

6. Abdominal Imaging

Comprehensive double-contrast GI imaging and special contrast studies in digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems; recipient of a Ministry of Health Science and Technology Progress Award.

Advanced Equipment

• 1 PET-CT scanner
• MRI: 1.5T (1 unit), 3.0T (1 unit), with 2 additional units being installed
• CT: 256-slice (128-row, 1 unit), 64-slice (2 units), 16-slice (1 unit)
• X-ray: Digital GI machines (3), fixed DR (5), mobile DR (2), mammography DR (1)
• Comprehensive PACS digital diagnostic management system

Research Achievements

• Over 10 national-level projects (NSFC, National Health Commission special funds) and 40+ provincial/ministerial research projects
• Published 500+ academic papers (50+ indexed in SCI)
• Edited 16 monographs, co-edited 16, and translated 3 major works
• Long-term international collaborations with Emory University (USA) and the University of Hong Kong

Visiting the Department

• Address: 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China

If you need a precise second opinion on a complex imaging case, a neurological or chest tumor evaluation, or a CT-guided biopsy from one of Northwest China's most experienced teams, the Department of Medical Imaging at Xi'an Jiaotong University's First Affiliated Hospital combines nearly 70 years of heritage with cutting-edge technology.