Brian S. Funaki
· ProfessorVerifiedUniversity of Chicago · Radiology
Active 1987–2026
About
Brian S. Funaki is a Professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of Radiology. His educational background includes an MD from Washington University in St. Louis, a BA from Johns Hopkins University, and residency and fellowship training at the University of Chicago. He has received several awards and honors, including being named one of Chicago's Best Docs by the University of Chicago, a Fellow of the Society of Interventional Radiology, and receiving the Paul Hodges Alumni Excellence Award. His research focuses on interventional radiology, with key contributions in the treatment of high-flow arteriovenous malformations, pulmonary arteriovenous malformation embolization, and the use of hybrid Angio-CT systems in interventional procedures. He has authored numerous publications on topics such as embolization techniques, vascular malformations, and interventional procedures, contributing significantly to the field of vascular and interventional radiology.
Research topics
- Medicine
- General surgery
- Surgery
- Radiology
- Nuclear medicine
Selected publications
Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2026-03-23
articleOccult Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Anastomosis Leak Treated with Stent
Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2026-04-02
articleLiver Transplant Complications: Diagnosis and Management
Digestive Disease Interventions · 2026-01-01
book-chapterSenior authorJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2026-03-23
articleSenior authorJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2026-03-23
articleCVIR Endovascular · 2025-12-09
articleOpen accessPURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of microfibrillar collagen paste (MCP), coils, and coils combined with gelatin sponge for transhepatic access tract embolization following portal vein islet cell transplant. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted at a single institution between January 2008 and October 2024, including 20, 28, and 21 consecutive islet cell transplant procedures requiring transhepatic access embolization with MCP, coils, and coil plus gelatin sponge, respectively. All procedures were performed via a right portal vein branch. MCP was performed using Avitene (BD). The average number of coils required in the coil plus gelatin sponge and coil-only groups were 1.8 and 1.6 coils per procedure, respectively. All patients were placed on therapeutic anticoagulation during the procedure and for at least two weeks post-transplant. Medical records were reviewed to compare laboratory results, portal venous pressures, post-procedure liver ultrasounds, and 30-day hemorrhagic events across the three groups. RESULTS: All procedures were technically successful. However, one instance of coil migration into a portal vein branch occurred in the coil plus gelatin sponge group (1/28, 3.5%). Baseline hemoglobin, platelet counts, and partial thromboplastin time did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). A statistically significant lower international normalized ratio (INR) was observed in the MCP group compared to the gelatin sponge and coil-only groups (1.0 vs. 1.1 vs. 1.1, p = 0.0036 and 0.004). No statistically significant differences were found in hemoglobin changes, post-transplant portal venous pressures, or post-embolization hemorrhagic events (p > 0.05). One patient in the coil plus gelatin sponge group developed a large subcapsular hematoma (1/27, 3.7%), while another in the MCP group experienced a large right hemothorax (1/20, 5.0%). CONCLUSION: MCP, coils, and coil plus gelatin sponge are similarly effective for transhepatic access closure following islet cell transplant in anticoagulated patients. However, coil embolization may require multiple coils and carries a risk of migration.
Utility of Hybrid Angiography-CT in Interventional Radiology: Case-Based Examples
Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2025-01-21 · 2 citations
reviewJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2025-03-22 · 3 citations
reviewSenior authorHybrid CT Angiography (Angio-CT) in Trauma and Emergency Care
Seminars in Interventional Radiology · 2025-04-01
reviewOpen accessJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · 2025-02-19
articleOpen accessSenior author
Frequent coauthors
- 59 shared
Jonathan M. Lorenz
University of Chicago Medical Center
- 42 shared
Osman Ahmed
- 33 shared
Rakesh Navuluri
University of Chicago
- 27 shared
Steven Zangan
University of Chicago
- 26 shared
Jeffrey A. Leef
- 26 shared
Jordan D. Rosenblum
- 22 shared
Thuong Van Ha
University of Chicago Medical Center
- 18 shared
George X. Zaleski
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Labs
Brian S. Funaki LabPI
Education
B.A.
Johns Hopkins University
M.D.
Washington University, St. Louis
Other
University of Chicago
Awards & honors
- Chicago's Best Docs, University of Chicago (2013 - 2019)
- Fellow, Society of Interventional Radiology (2007)
- Paul Hodges Alumni Excellence Award, University of Chicago (…
- Alpha Omega Alpha, Washington University Medical School (199…
- Phi Beta Kappa, Johns Hopkins University (1988)
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