Clinical Experience

The clinical curriculum complies with the Residency Review Committee (RRC) of the Accreditation of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), follows the recommendations of the Association of Program Directors in Radiology (APDR), and fulfills the requirements of The American Board of Radiology (ABR).

Our residents learn in a resident-centered environment with a “hands-on” approach. We have very few fellows, typically around 4-5 per year total across all specialties (2 Neuroradiology, 1 Body, 1 Breast, 1 Musculoskeletal). At BMC, virtually all radiologic examinations are performed and preliminarily interpreted by residents before the attending radiologist sees the case. After preliminary reports have been dictated, the resident will review the case with the attending radiologist, with a discussion of the key points.

During the first two months of training, new first-year residents attend a series of introductory lectures designed to augment their early clinical exposure. This includes a radiology “boot camp” in the first month of training where first years learn about specialty-oriented radiology basics and oriented to practical functions in the department and medical center.

During the early months, first-year residents learn general radiographic interpretation, fluoroscopic techniques, and familiarize themselves with the vocabulary of Diagnostic Radiology. They are also exposed to the subspecialties of Body Imaging, Pediatric Radiology, and Neuroradiology.

Most clinical rotations are 4 weeks in length and occur at one of the primary training sites. On average, residents spend the majority of their time at BMC and rotate at the VABHS for 1-2 blocks per year. Third-year residents attend the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) course in Diagnostic Radiology in Washington, D.C.

Through the principle of graded responsibility through repeated exposure, residents gain increasing responsibility throughout their residency, and graduate as mature, independent, skilled, and confident radiologists.

The American Board of Radiology examinations include an initial certification examination at the end of the third year of residency, we have structured the residency curriculum accordingly. Each resident will rotate through the core rotations including general radiology, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, breast imaging, body CT, ultrasound and MRI during the first 3 years of residency, with graded responsibility as the resident advances through their training. During the 4th year, residents can utilize 6 months of elective time with 2-3 month “mini fellowship” elective blocks in various rotations of the resident’s choosing, based on a lottery system.

Our physics curriculum begins from the start of residency training and continues up to the ABR Core exam and through the 4th year, using multiple resources. The physics curriculum may be found here.

BMC Rotations

Body Imaging

There are designated CT, MR, and US rotations. There are 4 dual energy CT scanners (ranging from 64 to 256 detectors). The CT scanners are equipped with CT fluoroscopy for interventional procedures.

The CT rotation exposes residents to a wide variety of thoracic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary diseases, as well as imaging of trauma. The coronary CTA and Virtual Colonoscopy programs have been expanded with TeraRecon, Intellispace, Advantage Workstation, Circle CVI42, and DynaCAD currently used for post-processing.

BMC/BUSM has one high-performance 1.5T MR systems, two 3T clinical magnets and 2 research scanners which includes a state of the art 3T research MR scanner along with a 9.4T Bruker scanner. Body MR cases include routine abdominal and pelvic MR exams, cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), MR enterography, rectal MRI, dynamic pelvic floor imaging, MR elastography, and iron quantification. Cardiovascular MR cases include cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement and T1/T2 relaxometry and MR angiography.

The US rotation provides training in performing and interpreting general abdominal, head & neck, soft tissue, obstetrical, and gynecological studies including Sono hysterography. Dedicated musculoskeletal US exams including interventions are also interpreted and performed with the musculoskeletal division.

Breast Imaging

Approximately 12,000 screening mammograms are performed annually at BMC. Diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds bring the total to approximately 15,000 breast imaging procedures at BMC. Considering studies referred to BMC from outside clinics, approximately 18,000 cases are interpreted annually and are available to residents. The resident experience includes screening and diagnostic mammography, contrast enhanced mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, needle localization, ductography, and core biopsy.

General Radiology

All plain films from BMC and outside affiliated clinics are interpreted on the Menino campus, with additional focus on performance and interpretation of barium gastrointestinal fluoroscopic studies and genitourinary studies. All procedures are recorded electronically for “soft copy” interpretation. Patients present with a wide variety of acute and non-acute conditions. Experience includes interpretation of plain radiography of the chest, abdomen, and skeleton, including outpatient, inpatient and trauma imaging.

Neuroradiology

Residents experience the full spectrum of acute and non-acute central nervous system disorders. BMC is the busiest level 1 trauma center in New England and is comprehensive stroke care center.  Modalities include CT with advanced dual energy scanners, MR (including advanced MR imaging techniques such as functional MRI, MR spectroscopy, perfusion), as well as angiography and myelography in a high-volume clinical setting.

Nuclear Radiology

This section performs a wide variety of diagnostic imaging studies on adults and children. There are 4 state-of-the-art, dual-detector gamma cameras capable of whole-body imaging and tomographic (SPECT) imaging. Special features include: attenuation correction and gated SPECT for cardiac imaging and CT/MR/SPECT image fusion software. All nuclear images are acquired, processed, and reviewed digitally. Studies are accessible on the departmental PACS system, an important consideration for cross-correlation with other imaging modalities and useful for off-hours cases. Residents participate in radionuclide therapies, notably I-131 to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. A combined PET/CT system is present at the Moakley Medical Services Building.

Pediatrics

Pediatric Radiology is located at Menino. Experience includes radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, and US on a wide range of patients ranging in age from premature infants to young adults. Cases include emergency, acute, and trauma pediatric imaging. Our residents have now also started rotating at Boston Childrens Hospital, the premiere pediatric hospital in the U.S for a robust and unparalleled pediatric radiology experience.

Vascular/Interventional

Residents participate “hands on” in a wide variety of procedures and learn patient management and decision-making skills. Procedures include diagnostic angiography, angioplasty, stent and graft placement, GU, GI and biliary interventions, venous access, dialysis fistula management, TIPS, and uterine artery embolization. Emergency call provides residents with excellent trauma experience. Residents perform a variety of image-guided interventional procedures including tissue biopsy and abscess drainage procedures. The resident experience in IR is enhanced by the lack of an IR fellow.

Boston VA Medical Center (VABHS) Rotations

Currently, 7-8 residents rotate to the VABHS during each block.

VABHS General Radiology

General Radiology includes plain films on inpatients and outpatients. Particular strengths include thoracic radiology, ICU radiology, and onco-radiology. Residents perform many fluoroscopic examinations on patients with complex pathologies.

VABHS Musculoskeletal/Body MR

This rotation is tailored to give a comprehensive overview of body MRI with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system. A wide variety of MR studies from both VA campuses include chest, abdominal, MR angiography studies. The studies are supported by dedicated MR workstations and interpretation sessions with faculty.

There is a 3.0T, state-of-the-art, clinical MR unit installed at Jamaica Plain as well as an additional 1.5T MR at the West Roxbury campus.

BVAMC Cross-sectional Imaging

This rotation is broad-based and includes all organ systems imaged by CT. A 64-slice CT scanner is in place at the Jamaica Plain campus and a 64-slice and 320-slice scanners are in use at the West Roxbury campus. A wide variety of diagnostic examinations of the thorax, abdomen, extremities, vascular system, and head and neck are scanned each year. CT-guided interventional procedures include biopsies and drainages on both inpatients and outpatients. These studies are coordinated and performed by residents under direct supervision of the faculty radiologist.

VABHS Nuclear Medicine

VABHS Interventional Radiology

Residents participate in a wide variety of procedures and learn patient management and decision making skills.