What is Neuroradiology

WHAT IS NEURORADIOLOGY?

  • + Neuroradiology is a subspecialty of radiology, which focuses on the diagnosis of abnormalities of the brain, spine, and head and neck.

WHAT IS a NEURORADIOLOGist?

  • + Neuroradiologists are highly trained physicians who are important members of the diagnostic and treatment team assisting patients with a variety of disorders affecting the brain, spine and head and neck.
  • + Each day, neuroradiologists are consulted many times by a various kinds of doctors who seek guidance in choosing the correct imaging test and for understanding the interpretation of neuroimaging studies and diagnoses that are established.
  • + Neuroradiologists interpret x-rays, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain, spine and spinal cord, face and neck, and peripheral nerves. They also perform angiographic studies of the brain and spine and interpret the findings.
  • + The examinations described above allow neuroradiologists to diagnose strokes, tumors, genetic conditions, aneurysms, Alzheimer's disease, and many other causes of neurological dysfunction at an early stage.
  • + They order and interpret x-rays, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain, spine and spinal cord, face and neck, and peripheral nerves.
  • + Early diagnosis allows the treating physician--a neurologist, neurosurgeon, neuroradiologist, or a generalist--to accurately counsel the patient and start the best therapy at the earliest possible time.
  • + Minimally invasive treatments for many neurological disorders, such as brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and compression fractures of the spine are mainly performed by neuroradiologists, many of whom have training in these special interventions.

TRAINING FOR A RADIOLOGIST

  • + 4 years of university-level education
  • + 4 years of medical school
  • + 1 year of internship
  • + 4 years of residency training in radiology
  • + American Board of Radiology examinations: written and oral portions
  • + Fellowship training if desired

TRAINING FOR A NEURORADIOLOGIST

  • + Prerequisite: Board certification in radiology
  • + Training
    • − 1-2 years of neuroradiology fellowship training after a radiology residency
    • − Optional training in interventional neuroradiology (...the treatment of brain or spine lesions by using catheters and needles) or pediatric neuroradiology
    • − Maintenance of Certification, which requires the physician to pass an examination in diagnostic neuroradiology, under the authority of the American Board of Radiology, every 10 years, as well as meet other yearly requirements in the areas of continuing education and practice improvement.

Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in neuroradiology

  • + Diagnostic MRI methods
    • -MRI
    • -MR spectroscopy (MRS)
    • -Functional MRI (fMRI)
    • -MR angiography (MRA)
    • -Perfusion and diffusion techniques
    • -Contrast-enhanced techniques
  • +CT methods
    • −CT angiography (CTA)
    • − Perfusion techniques
    • − Contrast-enhanced techniques
  • +Catheter angiography
  • +Embolization
  • +Coil placement
  • +Stent placement
Precise Diagnosis → Appropriate Therapy → Best Medical Outcome