Biography
Carlos Zamora, MD, is an Associate Professor of Radiology. He received his medical degree from the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala and obtained a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences at Kobe University in Japan. He completed his Diagnostic Radiology residency and a two-year Neuroradiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Zamora has always been fascinated by the complexity of human anatomy and function and saw medicine as a way to learn more about it while helping others. He chose to become a Radiologist because he was mesmerized by the ability of cross-sectional studies to depict detailed images of anatomy and pathology in a non-invasive manner. Along the way, he had the fortune of meeting several prominent radiologists, who inspired him with their interaction with other clinicians and ability to bring clarity to diagnosing challenging cases.
Expertise
Diagnostic imaging of the brain, spine, head, and neck.
Specialty
Neuro-oncology, inflammatory disease, skull base pathology, and neuroradiology education.
Professional Interests
Dr. Zamora is interested in education. He enjoys teaching and mentoring trainees and guiding them through presentations, exhibits, and other scholarly projects. He has also been fortunate to participate in international education and collaboration through relationships with different societies in Latin America and as part of international outreach and partnership programs from the American Roentgen Ray Society, the American Society of Neuroradiology, and the Radiological Society of North America.
He has been a reviewer for multiple medical journals and served on the American Journal of Neuroradiology editorial board. Recently, he started serving as section editor for neuroradiology for the American Journal of Roentgenology.
Research
He and his team were the first to describe the presence of engorged medullary veins in the brains of patients with neurosarcoidosis. In this common finding, the vessels acquire a corkscrew appearance. Diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis is often challenging as the disease can have a wide range of imaging appearances. Identification of engorged medullary veins may prompt the neuroradiologist to consider this disease and help narrow the differential diagnosis. This imaging sign has been increasingly recognized in the literature since the team’s initial publication. This finding brings further attention to the vascular manifestations of neurosarcoidosis and may serve as a foundation for future research. Earlier identification of neurosarcoidosis provides an opportunity for earlier initiation of appropriate therapy.
Philosophy of Care
As a diagnostic neuroradiologist, I work mainly as a consultant to other clinicians and have little direct interaction with patients. Most of my work centers around providing a diagnostic interpretation of neuroimaging studies and determining which modalities and protocols best answer specific clinical questions. My general philosophy when approaching a case is to use the best available evidence to guide my interpretation while focusing on the patient as a whole person rather than just a collection of medical conditions. Additionally, I collaborate with neurosurgery, radiation oncology, neurology, and neuro-oncology clinicians in multidisciplinary tumor boards, which provide optimal care for patients with complex diseases.
Honors and Awards
- Certificate of Merit: Zamora E,* Zamora C (educational electronic exhibit 4/29—5/3 2023). The Inner Ear: An Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology Primer. American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) 60th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
- Cum Laude exhibit: Siala S,* Zamora C, Castillo M (educational electronic exhibit 4/29—5/3 2023). Unusual and Strange Presentations of Pituitary Adenomas. American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) 60th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
- Selected for the 2023 AUR Radiology Management Program (4/2023). Association of University Radiologists. Austin, TX.
- Case in Point Winner of the Year (2022): Saramago I, Wallace J, Zamora C, Nissman D, Wu F. Collateral vertebral enhancement mimicking metastases in a patient with superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction (a.k.a. “vanishing bone metastases”). American College of Radiology.
- Tarheel Trauma – One Great Team Award (Fall 2022). UNC Health Trauma Program.
- Certificate of Merit: Zamora E, Zamora C (educational electronic exhibit 5/16—18 2022). Perivascular Spaces: Microanatomy, Homeostasis, and Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of Disease. American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) 56th Annual Meeting, New York City, NY.
- International Recognition Award: Calderon W, Puac Polanco P, Tortajada J, Zamora C, Castillo M, Rovira A (educational electronic exhibit 5/16—18 2022). Enlargement of the Facial Canal: Variants and Underlying Pathology. American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) 56th Annual Meeting, New York City, NY.
- Cum Laude exhibit: Edelman S, Hung S, Zamora C, Castillo M (poster 1/7—1/9/2022). Update of the 2021 WHO CNS Tumor Classification: What pediatric neuroradiologists should know. American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Miami Beach, FL.
- Charles A. Bream Award for Excellence in Teaching (6/11/2021).
UNC Department of Radiology. - Winner, Case of the Day Interpretation Competition (6/2021, 18 cases over 3 days) American Society of Neuroradiology 59th Annual Meeting.
- Winner, Case of the Day Interpretation Competition (6/2020, 17 cases over 3 days) American Society of Neuroradiology 58th Annual Meeting.
Education
- Medical School: University of Guatemala (Guatemala City)
- Doctorate: Kobe University School of Medicine (Kobe, Japan)
- Internship: Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
- Residency: Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
- Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University
Publications
To view a list of Dr. Zamora’s publications, click here.
