Dr Tong Xianjun graduated from the Medical Department of Southeast University in 1985. She practiced internal medicine (Western medicine) for four years before transitioning to ultrasound diagnostics in 1989. From 1998 to 2019, She served as the Director of the Ultrasound Department at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital and Yueyang Hospital.

Since 2006, she has held multiple academic positions, including:

    -Committee Member of the Abdominal Ultrasound Committee, Chinese      Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering

    -Committee Member of the Ultrasound Committee, Chinese      Association of Integrative Medicine

    -Executive Director of the Ultrasound Medicine Branch, Chinese      Medicine Information Association

    -Council Member of the Shanghai Society of Ultrasound in      Medicine and Engineering & Committee Member of the Abdominal      Ultrasound Committee

    -Committee Member of the Ultrasound Branch, Shanghai Medical      Doctor Association

    With extensive clinical experience, she specializes in ultrasound diagnostics for the abdomen, gynecology, small organs, blood vessels, and the heart. Since 2006, she has pioneered the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, elastography, and real-time 3D ultrasound, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy through advanced techniques.

    She has led key research projects, including a Shanghai Municipal Education Commission-funded study on the clinical application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in treating uterine fibroids. Additionally, she has participated in eight research projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, and the Shanghai Health Bureau. She has co-authored two medical textbooks and published over 20 academic papers.

Preface

    This wasn’t my first time meeting Director Tong. Drawn by her stellar reputation in the field and a friend’s recommendation, I had previously sought her expertise for an ultrasound examination. Seeing her again felt like finding an unshakable pillar of strength.

    I still vividly remember that meticulous examination. In the quiet ultrasound room, she focused intently on operating the machine, her eyes fixed on the screen while her hands deftly maneuvered the probe—sometimes pressing gently on my skin, other times adjusting the device’s settings—all while explaining each step to me. Perhaps due to nervousness, I unconsciously held my breath at one point. Noticing this, she reassured me, encouraging me to relax so she could conduct the examination more effectively. Her voice, both gentle and firm, deepened my understanding of the process and filled me with confidence in the treatment ahead.

    After the examination, Director Tong carefully explained the results to me. Her professional knowledge and patient guidance gave me a clearer understanding of my condition. She also provided valuable advice, helping me chart a more defined path for future treatment.

    Like a scout navigating the depths of the ocean, she explores every corner of a patient’s body, uncovering the faintest traces of disease. With the light of knowledge, she illuminates the hidden recesses of life, healing patients through her medical expertise.

    In the face of advancing technology, she boldly embraces change, integrating cutting-edge innovations into her practice. This courage and wisdom not only elevate the quality of medical care but also enrich the foundation of her department.

    “I graduated high school in 1980 and took the college entrance exam in Zhejiang. At the time, the admission rate in my hometown was only 4%. So, getting into medical school was truly fortunate.” When her exam results arrived, she felt the seed in her heart begin to sprout. Throughout medical school, she was a diligent student. After graduation, she was assigned to Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, beginning her career as an internist. There, she rotated through various departments—cardiology, gastroenterology, respiratory, endocrinology, and hematology—gaining broad clinical experience.

    “After rotations, the head of hematology wanted to keep me. But fate had other plans.” In 1988, a hepatitis A outbreak swept through Shanghai. “At the time, our internal medicine department had night shifts every five days. Many feverish patients came in, unaware they had hepatitis. Each shift required getting up 17 or 18 times. The conditions were harsh—freezing cold, exhausting—and my immunity suffered.” She caught a severe cold, developed pansinusitis, and experienced mucosal edema in her nasopharynx, leading to middle ear effusion and significant hearing loss. This made using a stethoscope impossible.

    Then, the hospital’s diagnostic imaging department offered her a lifeline: she transitioned to ultrasound. At the time, ultrasound diagnostics was a cutting-edge field. She quickly realized that combining her clinical knowledge with sonographic imaging could vastly improve diagnostic accuracy. Early on, she received meticulous guidance from renowned ultrasound expert Professor Lin Zhouzhang, mastering abdominal scanning techniques and common pathological presentations.

    From 1990 to 1991, she trained at Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital—the birthplace of Chinese ultrasound—studying under Professor Zhou Yongchang, a pioneer in the field. She specialized in diagnosing complex abdominal conditions, particularly urological and adrenal diseases. “Back then, CT and MRI weren’t widely available. Patients from across the country sought consultations. To see more cases, Professor Zhou started work at 7 a.m., often finishing only by 2 or 3 p.m., with just a few sips of water in between. she’d meticulously review each patient’s history and lab reports, thinking like a urologist, then use ultrasound to confirm or rule out diagnoses. Anxious patients left reassured. His compassion, expertise, and dedication deeply moved me—he became my role model. I vowed to treat every patient the same way.”

    Today, she has become the trusted physician her patients rely on—just as she once envisioned.

    At the Ultrasound Department of Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, she mastered new techniques and methodologies, leveraging her solid clinical knowledge to develop a comprehensive diagnostic approach to ultrasound imaging. This synergy led to significant achievements in the field of ultrasound medicine.

    Here, she not only accumulated extensive clinical experience but also developed her own diagnostic style. By integrating clinical expertise with ultrasound technology, she provided high-quality care for patients. This period laid a robust foundation for her future accomplishments in ultrasound medicine.

    In 2000, she joined the Yueyang Hospital team. As Director of the Ultrasound Department, she expanded the team from 5 to over 20 staff members and increased examination rooms from 3 to 15. The department’s scope of services grew beyond abdominal, gynecological, and cardiac ultrasound to include superficial small organs, peripheral and abdominal vascular imaging, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and advanced techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound, elastography, real-time 3D ultrasound, pelvic floor ultrasound, and gastric ultrasound imaging.

    Throughout her career, her technical precision and years of experience enabled her to diagnose nearly a thousand cases of early-stage microtumors, buying patients invaluable time for early intervention—improving both treatment outcomes and quality of life.

    She believes that an ultrasound physician should not settle for technical proficiency alone. Instead, they must conduct targeted examinations by reviewing medical history, lab results, and clinical symptoms—rather than performing rote scans. This is why she takes time to “chat” with patients, asking about their history, offering reassurance, and helping them relax for better cooperation during examinations.

    “In the past, patients had to visit internal medicine, surgery, or gynecology departments first to get an ultrasound requisition. Now, they can book directly with our department—same-day appointments and immediate examinations.” This “one-stop” service significantly reduces multiple queues and long waits, streamlining the process and improving the overall patient experience.

    As a leading ultrasound specialist at one of China’s top integrative medicine hospitals, she has always been dedicated to exploring how the holistic approach and syndrome differentiation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be combined with the precision of Western medicine to achieve better therapeutic outcomes. Her medical practice is not only about advancing ultrasound technology but also embodies the philosophy of integrating Chinese and Western medicine.

    At Yueyang Hospital, she discovered that ultrasound holds unique advantages in bridging the two medical systems. For example, in conditions where Western medicine often struggles—such as pediatric torticollis, frozen shoulder, adenomyosis, and female urinary incontinence—ultrasound not only aids in diagnosis but also plays a critical role in monitoring changes in imaging before and after treatments like TCM massage, herbal decoctions, or acupuncture. This provides objective evidence for evaluating therapeutic efficacy.

    “In practice, I’ve found that TCM approaches often complement the limitations of Western medicine, particularly in chronic and functional disorders. The holistic regulation and syndrome-specific treatments of TCM offer alternative therapeutic perspectives. Ultrasound technology not only visualizes these outcomes but also enhances the scientific credibility of TCM interventions.”

    On this path of integration, she has continuously pursued research, participating in multiple studies that use advanced techniques like contrast-enhanced ultrasound to observe and assess TCM treatments for conditions such as uterine fibroids and lower-extremity arteriosclerosis. These efforts have expanded the applications of ultrasound medicine while providing robust scientific support for integrative therapies.

    With an open mind, she merges the essence of TCM with modern Western technology to deliver high-quality patient care. Her work has infused new vitality into ultrasound medicine and opened fresh possibilities for the evolution of integrative medicine.

    Since becoming a doctor, she has maintained an unwavering passion for learning. Despite her demanding schedule, she devotes evenings to voraciously studying medical literature and attentively participating in academic lectures to continuously expand her expertise. Her pursuit of knowledge spans multiple disciplines—not just ultrasound medicine, but also endocrinology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and other related fields—ensuring her patients receive the most advanced care available.

    As an educator, she is deeply committed to mentoring young physicians. Through hands-on guidance and leading by example, she cultivates their diagnostic skills and clinical reasoning while emphasizing the importance of empathy and patient-centered care.

    With medical technology advancing rapidly, she maintains an open mind and enthusiastic approach to exploring innovations in ultrasound medicine.

    “Many emerging technologies are transforming healthcare. Artificial intelligence in ultrasound diagnostics, for instance, has achieved remarkable results—particularly in classifying breast and thyroid nodules—significantly improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. By analyzing vast datasets, AI assists less experienced physicians in making more precise assessments, promoting standardized, high-quality care across the medical field.”

    She believes outstanding medicine requires both technological advancement and human compassion. While medical technology should enhance care quality, it must never replace the essential connection between doctor and patient. In practice, she views technology as a tool to improve efficiency and accuracy, while maintaining that empathy remains at the core of medical practice.

    Over her 39-year career—including 4 years in internal medicine followed by 35 years specializing in ultrasound medicine—she has developed profound expertise and exceptional clinical skills. Her journey reflects not only personal and professional growth but also an enduring commitment to advancing ultrasound medicine and safeguarding patient health.

    Looking ahead, she envisions a future where medicine becomes increasingly personalized, precise, and focused on patient experience.

    “I will continue striving to uphold patient-centered care, creating a warmer, more professional environment that makes our ultrasound department a trusted choice for patients.”

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

 

 

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

In medical imaging, what are the respective advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound, CT, and MRI, and how to select the most appropriate examination method based on specific circumstances?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

Ultrasound, CT, and MRI each have distinct characteristics and clinical applications.

In diagnosing certain conditions such as gallbladder diseases, ultrasound demonstrates superior sensitivity. It offers advantages of being cost-effective, radiation-free, and suitable for repeated examinations. When combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, elastography, and real-time 3D ultrasound techniques, it provides comprehensive evaluation of lesion characteristics (benign vs. malignant) and treatment response assessment.

Conversely, CT and MRI show greater sensitivity than ultrasound in detecting pancreatic tumors.

Therefore, the selection of imaging modality should be determined based on the patient’s specific condition and preliminary examination findings.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

How did your medical school training influence your professional career?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

Medical school education proved fundamentally transformative. This rigorous training established my core medical competencies, particularly through clinical rotations across specialties which provided comprehensive exposure to diverse medical practices. Beyond imparting extensive medical knowledge, it crucially cultivated my clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. These foundational skills have served as indispensable assets throughout my professional practice, equipping me with both the intellectual framework and hands-on experience essential for medical excellence.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Do you regret transitioning from internal medicine to ultrasound diagnostics?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

Initially, I felt it was somewhat regrettable. But soon, I developed a deep fascination for the emerging field of ultrasound medicine. Through the hospital’s arrangement and the chief physician’s recommendation, I began studying and practicing ultrasound techniques. Gradually, I realized that working in the ultrasound department not only allowed me to utilize my clinical knowledge but actually enhanced my diagnostic accuracy.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Could you share your perspective on the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in ultrasound diagnostics?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

Ultrasound technology enables more intuitive monitoring of TCM therapeutic outcomes, such as tracking morphological changes in uterine fibroids or lower-extremity atherosclerosis. Furthermore, it facilitates efficacy evaluation of TCM modalities like tuina massage and acupuncture, offering novel methodologies and perspectives for integrative medicine.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Could you share your approach to maintaining continuous professional development in the medical field?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

We live in an era of technological and knowledge explosion with abundant learning avenues. Various academic conferences and symposiums provide opportunities to exchange insights with domestic and international experts. Moreover, the thriving online education sector offers nightly webinars, while consistent reading of professional literature and journals keeps me abreast of cutting-edge developments. As medical practitioners, we must embrace lifelong learning to keep pace with rapid advancements in medical science.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Throughout your professional journey, what profound insights have you gained?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

I share my experience with junior doctors through multiple approaches. First, through hands-on mentoring to enhance their diagnostic skills and cultivate clinical reasoning. Second, by participating in medical education to impart knowledge to students and residents. Additionally, I present our research findings and clinical insights at academic conferences and symposiums. This culture of sharing accelerates professional growth while advancing collective medical practice.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Throughout your professional journey, what profound realizations have shaped your practice?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

In my medical career, I’ve gained profound insights: being a physician demands not just clinical expertise, but heartfelt compassion. This human touch builds patient trust and transforms healthcare into truly personalized medicine. Equally vital is teamwork - it’s through seamless collaboration that we deliver excellence in patient care.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Beyond your clinical practice, what personal passions help you recharge?

Dr. Tong Xianjun

 

I love traveling, photography, and listening to audiobooks. Stepping into nature, breathing fresh air, and unwinding while experiencing diverse cultures and local traditions allows me to capture life’s beautiful moments. These passions not only enrich my personal life but also help me maintain a positive mindset when facing work pressures.

Editor: Chen Qing, ShanghaiDoctor.cn

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