Neuroradiology

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Neuroradiology is the medical subspecialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of brain, spinal cord, head and neck, and vascular lesions using x-rays, magnetic fields, radio waves, and ultrasound. These forms of energy are harnessed with machines such as the CT scanner, magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, and ultrasound machines. Additionally, angiography is also a tool of the neuroradiologist. Neuroradiologists are physicians who have specialized in the field of radiology. Following medical school, their training, known as residency, entails four rigorous years of supervised practice using these tools. Following radiology residency, the neuroradiologist undergoes one or two additional years of fellowship training under the supervision of trained neuroradiologists.

Like some other areas in radiology, neuroradiology has both diagnostic and invasive branches. The invase branch takes advantage on the images obtained by medical imaging to guide minimally invasive procedures, thanks to the knowledge of imaging studies of the central nervous system that the neuroradiologist has.

In the United States, Radiology residents are required to spend at least four months learning neuroradiology to be eligible for radiology board certification. Fellowships in neuroradiology are offered for those wishing to specialize in their training.

The training for the interventional branch includes 1 year of diagnostic neuroradiology plus an additional 2 or more years of training intechniques for treating aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), acute stroke, and other vascular diseases of the central nervous system.

The major professional association in the United States representing neuroradiologists is the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR). The ASNR publishes the American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR). The ASNR annual meeting rotates through different cities, and usually takes place between late April and early June.

Radiology

Neurology