Abraham H. Dachman, MD

UChicago Faculty Physicians

Abraham H. Dachman, MD

Professor of Radiology

[AUDIO LOGO] My name is, Abe Dachman. I'm a radiologist, my specialty is diagnostic radiology. And within diagnostic radiology my subspecialty is abdominal imaging, where we focus primarily on CT, ultrasound, and GI. Many abdominal radiologists do MRI, I personally limit my focus to CT, ultrasound, and GI radiology.

I was inspired by mentors to become a physician. Actually, dates back to my AP Bio class in high school. And subsequently I actually, reconnected with that teacher to tell him that he was the one who inspired me to become a physician.

Well, I came to University of Chicago in 1993. I've been a radiologist for about 40 years. And I came to University of Chicago because it has a wonderful combination of both research and clinical opportunities in the areas that interested me.

One of the interesting procedures that I helped develop, was very my area of research for over 25 years, is something called virtual colonoscopy or CT colonography. And we're one of the few places in Chicago that do that. CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy is a CT scan done in a special way to detect polyps and masses in the colon.

It's an alternate way to screen for colorectal cancer. It's approved by the American Cancer Society for many, many years now. And we do a substantial number of virtual colonoscopies, both screening for colon cancer, as well as patients who've had optical colonoscopies, traditional colonoscopies, but that exam does not-- sometimes is incomplete.

So in a small percentage of patients, gastroenterologists can't make it all the way around to see the whole colon because of a narrowing or tortuousity, in which case they refer the patients to me to do virtual colonoscopy. In the case of virtual colonoscopy, the patients do need to get a prep. It can be a milder prep than regular colonoscopy.

A small tube is put in the rectum to distend the colon with carbon dioxide gas. And the patient is scanned twice, once on their back, once on their side, with an extremely low radiation dose CT scan. And then the computer reconstructs a picture of the colon on 3D. And we fly through the colon as though you were doing a colonoscopy so to speak and look for polyps and masses in the colon. And then the exam is pretty good for doing that.

[AUDIO LOGO]

Abraham H. Dachman, MD, is a nationally-known specialist in abdominal imaging. He uses X-rays and advanced imaging equipment to visualize the structure and function of abdominal organs. This information is used to help diagnose disease, to assist in surgical planning, and to determine if treatments are effective.

Dr. Dachman is known for his expertise in using computed tomography (CT scans) to create 3-D images of abdominal structures. This 3-D technology gives physicians an additional, valuable tool to better visualize tissue without performing an invasive procedure. 

He is a leading authority on virtual colonoscopy, using noninvasive CT technology to detect polyps and masses in the colon. In addition, he applies 3-D techniques to aid in the detection and staging of pancreatic cancer, and in the evaluation of tumor response to chemotherapy.

An active researcher, Dr. Dachman has published several journal articles, book chapters, and books, including the first text on virtual colonoscopy, "The Atlas of Virtual Colonoscopy." In addition, he shares his knowledge about this emerging field through courses for radiologists who want to learn how to read virtual colonoscopy studies. He also has given presentations at dozens of scientific meetings around the United States.

Specialties

Areas of Expertise

Board Certifications

  • Diagnostic Radiology

Memberships & Medical Societies

  • Chicago Radiological Society
  • American College of Radiology
  • Illinois Radiological Society
  • American Roentgen Ray Society
  • Association of University Radiologists
  • Radiological Society of North America
  • Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists

Practicing Since

  • 1977

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Hebrew

Medical Education

  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Internship

  • Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center

Residency

  • Montefiore Medical Center

Fellowship

  • Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

News & Research

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