Positions

Overview

  • Dr. Tessler joined the UAB Department of Radiology as Chief of the Body Imaging section in August 2002 and took on the added responsibility for oversight of informatics in the department three years later. Subsequently, he was appointed as Executive Vice Chair and Vice Chair for Radiology Informatics, positions he held until July 2018, when he became the Senior Medical Officer for Health System Information Services. In this role, Dr. Tessler continues to lead multiple IT/informatics projects throughout UAB Medicine, including serving as the chair of the Clinical Communications Committee and the Committee for Information Governance for Security And Privacy, and Vice Chair of the Information Security Advisory Committee, appointed by the UAB President.

    Dr. Tessler has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and delivered numerous presentations in the United States and internationally. He is a recognized expert on ultrasound of thyroid nodules, having chaired the committee that developed the American College of Radiology's Thyroid Imaging, Reporting, and Data System in 2017, and he leads an international effort to harmonize recommendations for management of thyroid nodules based on ultrasound. Dr. Tessler’s contributions to ultrasound were recognized by his election to Fellowship in the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound, as well as being given the AIUM’s Presidential Recognition award in 2009.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2023 Response to Toraih et al. re: "Chasing π-fection in Thyroidology".Thyroid2023
    2023 Artificial Intelligence for Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules: A PrimerThyroid.  33:150-158. 2023
    2022 An International Survey on Utilization of Five Thyroid Nodule Risk Stratification Systems: A Needs Assessment with Future ImplicationsThyroid.  32:675-681. 2022
    2021 Comparison of Thyroid Risk Categorization Systems and Fine-Needle Aspiration Recommendations in a Multi-Institutional Thyroid Ultrasound RegistryJournal of the American College of Radiology.  18:1605-1613. 2021
    2021 American Thyroid Association Nonclassifiable Thyroid Nodules: A New PerspectiveThyroid.  31:1449-1450. 2021
    2021 Incidental Thyroid Nodules on Imaging: Relevance and ManagementRadiologic Clinics of North America.  59:525-533. 2021
    2021 Reply to “linking management to thyroid risk stratification: A proposed extension to ACR TI-RADS”American Journal of Roentgenology.  216:W18. 2021
    2021 Analysis of malignant thyroid nodules that do not meet ACR TI-RADS criteria for fine-needle aspirationAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  216:471-478. 2021
    2020 Thyroid Nodules and Real Estate: Location MattersThyroid.  30:349-350. 2020
    2020 Re: ACR TI-RADS: An advance in the management of thyroid nodules or Pandora's box of surveillance?Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.  48:7-8. 2020
    2020 Update on ACR TI-RADS: Successes, challenges, and future directions, from the AJR special series on radiology reporting and data systemsAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  216:570-578. 2020
    2019 Recognizing and minimizing artifacts at ct, mri, us, and molecular imaging 2019
    2019 Re: Cost-effectiveness of immediate biopsy versus surveillance of intermediate-suspicion thyroid nodulesSurgery.  165:664-667. 2019
    2019 Commentary on a direct comparison of the ATA and TI-RADS ultrasound scoring systems 2019
    2019 Management of thyroid nodules seen on us images: Deep learning may match performance of radiologistsRadiology.  292:695-701. 2019
    2019 Using artificial intelligence to revise ACR TI-RADS risk stratification of thyroid nodules: Diagnostic accuracy and utilityRadiology.  292:112-119. 2019
    2018 Guidelines for Biopsy of Thyroid NodulesRadiology.  288:635-636. 2018
    2018 Interobserver variability of sonographic features used in the American college of radiology thyroid imaging reporting and data systemAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  211:162-167. 2018
    2018 Erratum: Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS): A User's Guide (Radiology (2018) 287 1 (29-36))Radiology.  287:1082. 2018
    2018 Improved Quality of Thyroid Ultrasound Reports After Implementation of the ACR Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System Nodule Lexicon and Risk Stratification SystemJournal of the American College of Radiology.  15:743-748. 2018
    2018 Reduction in thyroid nodule biopsies and improved accuracy with American college of radiology thyroid imaging reporting and data systemRadiology.  287:185-193. 2018
    2018 Thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS): A user's guideRadiology.  287:29-36. 2018
    2018 Effect of Tumor Size on Risk of Metastatic Disease and Survival for Thyroid Cancer: Implications for Biopsy GuidelinesThyroid.  28:295-300. 2018
    2018 Re: ACR Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS): White Paper of the ACR TI-RADS CommitteeJournal of the American College of Radiology.  15:381-382. 2018
    2017 Authors’ ReplyJournal of the American College of Radiology.  14:1522-1523. 2017
    2017 ACR Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS): White Paper of the ACR TI-RADS CommitteeJournal of the American College of Radiology.  14:587-595. 2017
    2015 Misinterpretation of the American college of radiology white paper on managing incidental thyroid nodulesThyroid.  25:469-470. 2015
    2015 Managing incidental thyroid nodules detected on imaging: White paper of the ACR incidental thyroid findings committeeJournal of the American College of Radiology.  12:143-150. 2015
    2015 Thyroid ultrasound reporting lexicon: White paper of the ACR thyroid imaging, reporting and data system (TIRADS) committeeJournal of the American College of Radiology.  12:1272-1279. 2015
    2013 The common duct dilates after cholecystectomy and with advancing age reality or myth?Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.  32:1385-1391. 2013
    2012 Effect of display magnification on perceived growth of liver lesions on computed tomographyJournal of Digital Imaging.  25:266-270. 2012
    2011 Protected health information on ultrasound images: Time to end the burnJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine.  30:1319-1320. 2011
    2011 Ultrasound quality and efficiency: How to make your practice flourishJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine.  30:739-743. 2011
    2007 Internal hernia after gastric bypass: Sensitivity and specificity of seven CT signs with surgical correlation and controlsAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  188:745-750. 2007
    2006 Management of thyroid nodules detected at US: Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound consensus conference statementUltrasound Quarterly.  22:231-238. 2006
    2006 Topics in ultrasound education: Use of patient models to teach endovaginal ultrasound skillsUltrasound Quarterly.  22:119-120. 2006
    2005 Management of thyroid nodules detected at US: Society of radiologists in ultrasound consensus conference statementRadiology.  237:794-800. 2005
    2002 Conspicuity of renal calculi at unenhanced CT: Effects of calculus composition and size and CT techniqueRadiology.  225:91-96. 2002
    1999 Blood flow in healthy gallbladder walls on color and power Doppler sonography: Effect of wall thickness and gallbladder volumeAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  173:1247-1249. 1999
    1999 Correlation between renal vascular resistance, pulse pressure, and the resistive index in isolated perfused rabbit kidneysRadiology.  213:258-264. 1999
    1999 Duplex doppler examination of native and transplant kidney dysfunction: Technique, applications, and controversiesUltrasound Quarterly.  15:2-8. 1999
    1999 Effect of injection rate of contrast medium on pancreatic and hepatic helical CT.Radiology.  210:97-101. 1999
    1999 Thyroid sonography: Current applications and future directionsAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  173:437-443. 1999
    1998 Cases of the Day: US Case of the Day 1998
    1998 Current concepts in contrast media-induced nephropathyAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  171:933-939. 1998
    1998 Sonography of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shuntUltrasound Quarterly.  14:165-170. 1998
    1998 US Case of the Day 1998
    1998 US Case of the Day 1998
    1998 US Case of the Day 1998
    1998 US Case of the Day 1998
    1998 US Case of the Day 1998
    1998 US case of the day. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related (Cryptosporidium) cholangitis and Cryptosporidium colitis. 1998
    1998 US case of the day. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder [PTLD]). 1998
    1998 US case of the day. Granulomatous prostatitis resulting from BCG therapy. 1998
    1998 US case of the day. Renal leiomyoma. 1998
    1998 US case of the day. Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP). 1998
    1998 US case of the day. Tuberculous epididymoorchitis. 1998
    1998 Ultrasound evaluation of the anal sphincter in fecal incontinenceUltrasound Quarterly.  14:209-217. 1998
    1997 Effect of hydration status on renal medullar attenuation on unenhanced CT scansAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  168:257-259. 1997
    1996 Ultrasound assessment of testicular and paratesticular masses.Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.  24:423-436. 1996
    1996 Value of selective second-look sonography by radiologistsRadiology.  199:551-553. 1996
    1995 Strategies for developing effective computer-assisted instruction: a computer-based teaching module on color Doppler US. 1995
    1994 Color Doppler energy imaging.Administrative radiology : AR.  13:17-20. 1994
    1994 Transvaginal sonographic evaluation of endometrial polypsJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine.  13:535-539. 1994
    1993 Color Doppler imaging findings in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome: Correlation with venographic findingsAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  161:307-312. 1993
    1992 A new electronically enhanced biopsy system: Value in improving needle-tip visibility during sonographically guided interventional proceduresAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  158:195-198. 1992
    1992 Color Doppler imaging of the hepatic vasculatureAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  159:943-950. 1992
    1992 Endovaginal pelvic sonography as the primary method of examination of the female pelvisJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  12:121-124. 1992
    1992 Fetal exposure from endovaginal ultrasound examinations in the first trimesterUltrasound in Medicine and Biology.  18:675-679. 1992
    1992 Sonographic findings after surgical ablation of the endometriumAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  159:1239-1241. 1992
    1991 Author's replyUltrasound in Medicine and Biology.  17:199. 1991
    1991 Diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis: Value of color Doppler imagingAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  157:293-296. 1991
    1991 Endoluminal catheter-assisted transcervical US of the human embryo. Work in progressRadiology.  181:779-783. 1991
    1991 Endovaginal US: Cardiac activity in embryos of less than 5.0 mm in crown-rump lengthRadiology.  178:285. 1991
    1991 Fetal abdominal wall mass detected on prenatal sonography: Gastroschisis vs omphaloceleAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  157:1065-1068. 1991
    1990 Assurance of consistent peak-velocity measurements with a variety of duplex doppler instrumentsRadiology.  177:265-272. 1990
    1990 Color Doppler imaging of portosystemic shuntsAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  154:393-397. 1990
    1990 Duplex Doppler sonography in renal allografts: The significance of reversed flow in diastoleAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  155:295-298. 1990
    1990 Endovaginal ultrasonography.The Western journal of medicine.  152:62-63. 1990
    1990 Evaluation of Renal Transplant Dysfunction by Duplex Doppler Sonography: A Prospective Study and Review of the LiteratureAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases.  15:544-550. 1990
    1990 Inter- and intra-observer variability of Doppler peak velocity measurements: An in-vitro studyUltrasound in Medicine and Biology.  16:653-657. 1990
    1990 The pulsatile portal vein in cases of congestive heart failure: Correlation of duplex Doppler findings with right atrial pressuresRadiology.  176:655-658. 1990
    1989 ROC comparison of analog film to 512, 1024 and 2048 line digital displaysProceedings of SPIE.  1092:534-538. 1989
    1989 Three-dimensional reconstruction of ultrasound imagesProceedings of SPIE.  1134:450-457. 1989
    1989 Budd-Chiari syndrome: The results of duplex and color Doppler imagingAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  152:377-381. 1989
    1989 Clinical Doppler imagingAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  152:707-717. 1989
    1989 Computer applications in radiology education: A challenge for the 1990sAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  152:1169-1172. 1989
    1989 Cranial artriovenous malformations in neonates: Color Doppler imaging with angiographic correlationAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  153:1027-1030. 1989
    1989 Endovaginal sonographic diagnosis of dilated fallopian tubesAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  153:523-525. 1989
    1989 Frequency measurements in real-time US equipment: Variations from expected valuesRadiology.  172:449-452. 1989
    1989 Spontaneous resolution of fetal hydrocephalusJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine.  8:155-157. 1989
    1989 Transabdominal versus endovaginal pelvic sonography: Prospective studyRadiology.  170:553-556. 1989
    1988 Sonographic Identification of Down's SyndromeNew England Journal of Medicine.  318:1399-1400. 1988
    1988 Cerebrovascular ultrasound imagingRadiologic Clinics of North America.  26:1111-1130. 1988
    1988 Infant cranial sonographyRadiologic Clinics of North America.  26:1089-1110. 1988
    1988 Maternal-fetal Doppler sonography 1988
    1988 Second-trimester sonographic diagnosis of down syndrome: Role of femur-length shortening and nuchal-fold thickeningAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  151:981-985. 1988
    1984 Herniation and strangulation of the gallbladder through the foramen of WinslowAmerican Journal of Roentgenology.  142:541-542. 1984
    1981 Congenital absence of a pedicle with photon deficiency on bone scanClinical Nuclear Medicine.  6:498-499. 1981

    Education And Training

  • Jewish General Hospital, Internship
  • Jewish General Hospital, Residency
  • Toronto Western Hospital, Residency
  • UCLA Medical Center, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Doctor of Medicine, McGill University 1977
  • Full Name

  • Franklin Tessler