An annual lecture series encompassing all of the radiologic subspecialties is given for radiology residents by both permanent and visiting faculty members. Each resident is responsible for presenting 1-2 lectures per year. Lectures and case conferences are given daily in the department's recently renovated multimedia conference room at UNMH. Residents working at the VA medical center participate in didactics from the VA medical center where the lecture is also broadcast. Case conferences are attended by all residents at UNMH.
Each calendar month is dedicated to a specific radiologic subspecialty, while case conferences for different imaging modalities are intermingled through the month. While some lectures are repeated annually, the majority of presentations vary each year.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lecture | Case Conference | Lecture | Physics | Lecture |
| 4:30 - 5:30 PM | - | - | - | Case Conference | - |
Many of the recommended introductory texts have been written by members of our department and are provided to new residents. Each lecture block contains dedicated lectures on Radiology-Pathology correlations. Also, there is the option of attending the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Course (AFIP).
First Year Orientation - During the first month of residency, the noon teaching block is dedicated to orienting new residents. General orientation is held four days per week, while the remaining day is dedicated to an introduction to radiologic physics (see below). The general orientation is directed by Dr. Jennifer Pohl and serves as an introduction to all areas of radiology, including relevant terminology, radiologic anatomy, clinical considerations, and basic procedure techniques. During the first week of orientation, the chief resident and residency coordinator also address other administrative issues such as work schedules, benefits, contracts, and any other necessary paperwork. Other members of the administrative staff are introduced and their respective functions within the department described. Recommended introductory reading includes Essentials of Radiology by Mettler (ISBN 0-7216-6744-9). The department's Resident Orientation Manual is discussed and is now available in .pdf format for further review.
Cardiovascular/Interventional Radiology - The interventional radiology teaching block encompasses a series of lectures regarding the techniques for performing interventional procedures and interpreting the resulting images. Residents learn about topics such as peripheral angiography, angioplasty and stent placement, image guided biopsy, TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts), vertebroplasty, vascular embolization and chemoembolization, thrombolysis, and intervention of the genitourinary tract. Lectures regarding the pre-procedure preparation of patients and the medical management of the interventional radiology patient are also provided.
Neuroradiology - This teaching block covers the radiologic imaging of the skull, brain, face, neck, and spine. Residents learn about the radiologic anatomy and techniques of CT and MR imaging of the central nervous system. Other assorted topics include congenital abnormalities, neoplasms, trauma, infection, vascular disease, white matter diseases, degenerative disease of the spine, and sinus disease. Suggested reading for first year residents is Fundamentals of Neuroimaging by Hart, Benzel, and Ford (ISBN 0-7216-5163-1).
Musculoskeletal Radiology - The musculoskeletal radiology lecture series educates residents on the imaging of the bones, joints, and soft tissues as seen by both conventional radiographs and advanced imaging modalities such as CT and MRI. Residents are instructed on radiologic anatomy, techniques of MR imaging, orthopedic terminology. Lecture topics include congenital abnormalities, trauma, metabolic bone disease, benign ("don't touch") and malignant neoplasms, arthritis, and infection. Guest lecturers from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery provide clinical correlation and insights. Particular attention is devoted to discussing magnetic resonance imaging of the major joints. Suggested introductory reading includes Fundamentals of Skeletal Radiology, 2nd ed. by Helms (ISBN 0-7216-4680-8) and Arthritis: in Black and White, 2nd ed by Brower & Flemming (ISBN 0-7216-51526-0).
Abdominal Imaging/Gastrointestinal Radiology - This lecture series encompasses both abdominal imaging and gastrointestinal radiology. The gastrointestinal radiology section, coordinated by Dr. Philip Wiest and Dr. Jennifer Pohl, provides instruction on performing and interpreting primarily fluoroscopic examinations of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon. Lecture topics include radiologic anatomy, functional and structural abnormalities, infection and inflammation, and neoplasms of the gastrointestinal system. Suggested introductory reading includes Fundamentals of Gastrointestinal Radiology by Davis & Houston (ISBN 0-7216-5203-4).
The abdominal imaging section of the block focuses on CT and MRI imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, with particular concentration on the liver, biliary tract, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and adrenal glands. Cross-sectional imaging manifestation of diseases of the hollow viscera of the gastrointestinal tract are also included. Residents learn about the appropriate selection of abdominal and pelvic CT / MRI protocols for common indications and gain familiarity with the use of contrast agents. Radiologic anatomy, including parenchymal organ vasculature, lymph nodes, intraperitoneal / extraperitoneal spaces, and common anatomic variations is also covered. Suggested introductory reading is Fundamentals of Body CT, 2nd ed. by Webb, Brant & Helms (ISBN 0-7216-6862-3).
Genitourinary Radiology - Directed by Dr. Stephen Eberhardt, the genitourinary lecture series includes discussions of the radiologic imaging of the entire genitourinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, prostate, testes, uterus, and ovaries) using various imaging modalities, including CT/MRI, ultrasound, and conventional urography. Lecture topics include anatomy and embryology, congenital anomalies, nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, urinary tract trauma, neoplasms, infection and inflammation. Recommended introductory reading includes Fundamentals of Uroradiology by Williamson & Smith (ISBN 0-7216-5399-5).
Pediatric Radiology - Throughout the resident's tenure, all imaging modalities as they relate to the neonate, infant, and older child are addressed. Although many of the subjects have been touched upon during other teaching blocks, these topics are revisited with particular attention to their radiologic implications in the pediatric patient population. Coordinated by Dr. Susan Williamson and Dr. Jessica Williams, lectures on pediatric chest (including congenital heart disease), gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal organ systems are covered. Suggested reading for first year residents is Primary Pediatric Radiology by Williamson (ISBN 0-7216-4180-6).
Mammography - This teaching block covers all technical aspects and procedures of breast imaging including ultrasound guided biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, galactotography and MRI. Benign and malignant pathology, epidemiology and risk factors for cancer are also covered, with focus on the American College of Radiology guidelines. The lecture series is directed by Dr. Robert Rosenberg with assistance from Dr. Michael Linver, a clinical professor of radiology. Dr. Linver is a nationally known expert on breast imaging and serves as the co-director of the Breast Imaging Center at X-ray Associates of New Mexico. Recommended introductory reading includes the Breast Imaging Companion, 2nd ed. by Cardeņosa (ISBN 0-7817-2891-6).
Nuclear Medicine - Directed by Dr. Michael Hartshorne, lectures in this block are devoted to nuclear medicine investigations of CNS, pulmonary, endocrine, skeletal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems. Particular emphasis is given to oncology (including positron emission tomography [PET] and image fusion) and nuclear medicine therapies. The conventions of radiopharmacy, image acquisition and display, along with the language of interpretation and reporting are covered. Recommended reading includes Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging, 5th ed. by Mettler & Guiberteau (ISBN 0-7216-5121-6).
Thoracic Radiology - The thoracic radiology block is coordinated by Dr. Loren Ketai, a board certified pulmonologist and chest radiologist. Lecture topics include large airway diseases, obstructive pulmonary disease, traumatic and toxic lung disease, infection, pneumonoconioses and immunologic lung disease, neoplasms and developmental lesion, pleural disease, cardiovascular disease, and abnormalities of the mediastinum and hilum. Imaging modalities include conventional radiographs, conventional and high-resolution CT, and MRI. Suggested reading for first year residents is Fundamentals of Chest Radiology by Meholic, Ketai, and Lofgren (ISBN 0-7216-5400-2).
Ultrasound - The ultrasound teaching block is directed by Dr. Michael Williamson and includes both lectures and real-time ultrasound scanning sessions. All the necessary background and technical considerations including physics, bioeffects/safety, imaging applications, equipment operation, artifacts and quality assurance are taught. The residents learn the clinical uses of ultrasound such as examination protocols, basic cross sectional anatomy, general diagnostic criteria, techniques for ultrasound guided invasive procedures, and reporting skills. Specific applications to the head/spine, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities are addressed. Special attention is devoted to obstetric ultrasound and vascular imaging. A recommended introductory text for this block is Essentials of Ultrasound by Williamson (ISBN 0-7216-6642-6).
Radiologic Physics - Radiological Physics is taught to all first-year residents by Dr. Philip Heintz, our radiologic physicist, during a weekly noon conference that is held from August to April. Topics include atomic physics, radiation safety and fluoroscopy, x-ray circuits, generators, and tubes, contrast and image formation, magnetic resonance, mammography, digital imaging, linear tomography and magnification, computed tomography, radiation detectors, and nuclear production and decay. This block culminates with the Raphex exam (see below). A three-week intense review course is held in preparation for the physics section of the American Board of Radiology Exam (see below). The recommended texts for this block are Review of Radiologic Physics by Huda & Stone (ISBN 0-063-04230-0) and Essentials of Radiologic Science by Fosbinder & Kelsey (ISBN 0-07-136452-8).
In addition to monthly quizzes over the lecture block material, several standardized tests are also administered throughout the course of the residency:
USMLE III - Residents complete the United States Medical Licensing Exam by the end of their second year in residency.
Raphex - The Radiologic Physics Exam (Raphex) is administered annually. This test is published by the Radiological and Medical Physics Society of New York and consists of 100 questions covering general and diagnostic physics. Residents take the test at the end of their first year following completion of the radiologic physics course. The exam is designed to serve as a practice test for Part I of the radiology board exam.
ACR In-service - The American College of Radiology in-service exam is given annually to all residents in February. This allows residents to assess their personal progress in relationship to other radiology residents throughout the country.
ABR I - This is the first section of the board exam administered by the American Board of Radiology. It is four hours long and has 250 questions dedicated to radiologic physics. Residents usually take this first section of the board exam in the beginning of their second year of residency in Albuquerque.
ABR II - This is part two of the American Board of Radiology exam known as the "written boards." Questions cover ten subject areas in radiology: pediatrics, mammography, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, chest, and interventional radiology. The exam is four hours long and consists of 250 questions. This exam is taken in either the fourth or fifth year of residency in Albuquerque.
ABR III - Part III of the American Board of Radiology exam known as the "oral boards" and is conducted annually in June in Louisville, Kentucky.
