COURSE BASED RADIOLOGY CURRICULUM

Objectives for each course / clerkship
How it is implemented in each course
3rd Year Orientation Session Basic Concepts  (PDF); Laurie Lomasney, MD

Structure

  1. Principles of radiology and radiation – including plain film, CT and MRI
  2. Normal anatomy
    • Plain films
      • chest x-ray
        • PA
        • AP
        • lateral
      • 4 views abdomen
      • spine
      • long bones of 
        • adults 
        • children
      • IVP
      • BE
      • UGI
    • CT
      • chest
      • pelvis
      • abdomen
  3. Angiograms 
    • Great vessels and other vasculature
Lectures
  1. Intro to Radiology; Richard Cooper, MD
  2. Radiology of the Back and Upper Limb; Richard Cooper, MD
  3. Radiology of the Head and Neck(1); Richard Cooper, MD
  4. Radiology of the Head and Neck (2); Richard Cooper, MD
  5. Radiology of the Thorax; Richard Cooper, MD
  6. Radiology of the Abdomen; Richard Cooper, MD
  7. Radiology of the Pelvis; Richard Cooper, MD
  8. Radiology of the Lower Extremity; Richard Cooper, MD
  9. Cross Section Case Wrap Up; Terrence Demos, MD
Web Resources
  1. Cross Sectional Anatomy Visible Human Project
  2. Radiology Curriculum for Self Study
Evaluation

Final exam contains five questions with radiological images.

Mechanisms

Recognize the following abnormalities on

    • Chest x-ray
      • pleural effusion
      • CHF
      • pneumonia
      • lobe location
      • COPD
      • atelectasis
      • pulmonary nodule
    • CT chest
      • pulmonary nodule
    • CT abdomen/pelvis
      • diverticular disease
      • appendicitis
      • bowel obstruction
      • abdominal aortic aneurysm
      • pancreatitis
      • intra-abdominal abscess
      • hepatic mass
      • renal mass
      • pancreatic mass
Lectures

Most of the lectures covering clinical topics contain radiological images.

  1. CXR Clinicopathological Correlation  (PDF); A.J. Chandrasekhar, MD
  2. Radiology and Oncology  (PDF); Ken Pierce, MD
Path Lab Sessions
  • Radiological images are included with presentation of path material.
Small Group Sessions
  • Web page to show radiological images for the cases.
Self Study
Evaluation
  • Five test questions to cover the principles of radiology, including images.

Neuroscience

  1. Utility of MRI vs. CT for head imaging
  2. Utility of MRI vs. CT for spine imaging
  3. Normal anatomy on
    • CT Head
    • CT Spine
    • MRI  head
    • MRI spine
  4. Recognize the following abnormalities on
    • CT head
      • hemorrhage
      • subarachnoid
      • subdural
      • parenchymal
      • infarcts
      • edema
      • mass effect
      • hydrocephalus
    • CT spine
      • metastatic disease
      • DJD
      • disc disease
    • MRI head/spine
      • CNS infection
      • masses
      • infarcts
      • multiple sclerosis
      • disc disease
      • metastatic disease
      • cord compression
Lectures

(Most of lectures oriented clinically, have radiological images)

  1. Brain imaging (1): Ken Pierce, MD
  2. Brain imaging (2): Edward Melian, MD
Web Resources
  1. Neuroblast
  2. Neurovascular Tutorial
  3. Lab MRI Scans
  4. Cross Sectional Tutorial
  5. Radiology Curriculum
Evaluation

Four test questions to cover the brain imaging lectures.

Patient Centered Medicine II

  1. Demonstrate a systematic approach to interpretation of CXR and abdominal radiographs.
  2. Correlate radiographic findings on CXR, chest CT, and abdominal CT with normal anatomy.
  3. Demonstrate radiographic findings and describe the physical exam findings that correlate with the radiographic findings on CXR of: consolidation, pleural effusion, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, pulmonary masses and on four views of abdomen intestinal obstruction and abdominal calcifications.
  4. Demonstrate basic principles of physics for plain film, CT and MRI imaging.
  5. Introduce radiographic findings and anticipate physical exam findings that correlate with the CT findings of: pulmonary nodule, pulmonary embolus, advanced lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary obstruction, pancreatic carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, appendicitis, retro peritoneal hemorrhage, abdominal aortic aneurysm, CT angiography, injuries of the knee, and stress fractures and avascular necrosis of the hip, and bone tumors.
Lectures
  1. Chest and Abdominal Radiography for Medical Students  (PDF); Kenneth Pierce, MD
  2. Introduction to Abdominal CT and Body MR  (PDF); Kenneth Pierce, MD
Small Group Sessions

Students are expected to review films (one week before the session) and commit to a diagnosis and come prepared to discuss the films with the facilitator.

  1. Session 1
  2. Session 2
Web Resources
Evaluation
  • Five questions with radiological images in the final exam
 
Introduction to third and fourth years
  1. Role of radiologist as specialist and consultant
  2. Basic concepts of risk management, malpractice, confidentiality, as they relate to radiology
  3. Contrast allergy
  4. Differences, utility and use of CT vs. MRI
  5. General principles of ultrasound including doppler flow
  6. General principles of nuclear medicine
  7. General principles of angiography – including indications, utility and diagnostic/therapeutic use
  8. Selection and use of information technology in radiology – including PACS
Lectures
  1. Radiology Introduction to Clerkships Chest Radiographs; by Terrence Demos, MD
  2. Imaging 5.0 : Our Newest Operating System Unleashed  (PDF); by Kenneth Pierce, MD
  3. Radiology Review; by Katrina Acosta, MD
  4. Radiology- The Basics (PDF); by Laurie Lomasney, MD
Introduction to IV Year Lecture
  1. Nuclear and Radiation Exposure  (PDF); by Robert Henkin, MD
 

Patient Centered Medicine III

Utility of radiology for investigation of abnormal physical findings

    • Ascites
    • Abnormal heart sounds
    • Prostate nodules
    • Bruits
    • Aneurysms
    • Testicular masses
    • Thyroid nodules
    • Hepatic/splenomegaly
Web Resource
Evaluation

Medicine Clerkship

  1. Chest x-ray 
    • Normal anatomy
    • Pleural effusion
    • Pneumonia 
    • Lobe location
    • CHF
    • COPD
    • Atelectasis 
    • Pulmonary nodules
  2. CT chest 
    • Normal anatomy
    • Nodules/masses
  3. Indications and limitations of echocardiograms – including 
    • Trans thoracic vs. trans esophageal
    • Chamber size
    • Valve disease
    • Pericardial effusions
  4. Mechanisms, indications and limitations of certain nuclear medicine tests 
    • IDA scan
    • Bone scan
    • Tagged RBC scan
    • Myocardial perfusion and function scans
    • Bone densitometry scan
    • V/Q scan
  5. Use and utility of radiology in the work-up of 
    • Cardiac ischemia
    • Common cancers
    • GI bleeding
    • Pulmonary emboli
Lectures
  1. Radiology; by General Radiology faculty
  2. Radiology; by General Radiology faculty
  3. Radiology; by General Radiology faculty
  4. Nuclear Medicine; by Nuclear Medicine faculty
Small Group Case Discussions
  • Most sessions discuss imaging aspects of the case
Ward Rounds and Patient Management Sessions
  • Patient management involves imaging studies review in most
Web Resources
Evaluation
  • Six clinical questions which incorporate images are included in the final examination.

 

Surgery Clerkship

  1. 4-view abdomen
    • Normal anatomy
  2. CT abdomen/pelvis 
    • Normal anatomy
    • Diverticular disease
    • Appendicitis
    • Bowel obstruction
    • Abdominal aorta aneurysm
    • Pancreatitis
    • Intra-abdominal abscess
    • Ascites
    • Hepatic mass
    • Pancreatic mass
    • Renal mass
  3. 4-views abdomen 
    • Ileus
    • Small bowel obstruction
    • Large bowel obstruction
    • Free air,
    • Calcifications (including aneurysm)
  4. Bone x-rays 
    • Fracture
    • DJD
    • Osteoporosis (with vertebral collapse)
    • Primary and secondary bone tumors
  5. Utility of vascular Doppler ultrasound for 
    • Aneurysm
    • DVT
    • Carotid artery disease
    • Peripheral vascular disease
  6. Utility of ultrasound for 
    • Bile duct obstruction
    • Liver imaging
    • Kidney cysts 
    • Kidney tumors
    • Prostate evaluation
    • Blunt trauma
  7. Basics of normal and abnormal mammography including use as surgical tool for resection
  8. Use and utility of radiology in the work-up of 
    • Acute abdomen
    • Bone/joint pain
    • Hematuria and flank pain
    • Aortic aneurysms
    • Suspected aortic dissections
    • Trauma
Small Group Sessions
Self Study
Ward Rounds and Patient Management
  • Includes review of radiological images
Weekly radiology conference by Dr Holt

Web Resources

Evaluation
  • Examination to include five clinical questions which incorporate imaging principles.

 

Pediatric Clerkship

  1. Recognize on chest x-ray
    • Pneumothorax 
    • Hyaline membrane disease
  2. Use and utility of radiology in the work up of suspected child abuse

Imaging studies are discussed in the lecture series

Web Resources
Evaluation

Family Medicine Clerkship

  1. Use and utility of radiology in the work-up of 
    • Neck pain 
    • Back pain 
  2. Preventive medicine 
    • Spinal CT for lung nodules
    • Bone densitometry scans for osteoporosis
    • Screening mammograms for breast cancer
    • Prostate ultrasounds for elevated PSA 
    • Cancer screening 
    • Coronary artery disease screenings
During ward rounds and clinic encounters
Self study
Web resource
Evaluations
  • 5-10 questions in the final examination.
 

OB/GYNE Clerkship

  1. Indications and limitations of ultrasound for 
    • Molar pregnancy
    • Anencephalic pregnancy
    • Placenta previa
    • Fetal age
    • Ectopic pregnancy
  2. Use and utility of radiology in the work-up of 
    • Normal and 
    • Abnormal pregnancy
Ward rounds and clinic encounters
Small Group Sessions
Self study / Web Resources
Evaluation
  • Final exam to include questions ( Need to verify)

Neurology Clerkship

  1. CT head
    • Normal anatomy
    • Hemorrhage
    • Infarct
    • Edema 
    • Mass effect
    • Hydrocephalus
  2. CT spine 
    • Metastatic disease
    • DJD
    • Disc disease
  3. MRI head/spine 
    • Normal anatomy
    • CNS infection
    • Masses
    • Infarcts
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Misc disease
    • Metastatic disease
  4. Use and utility of radiology in the work-up of 
    • Cord compression
    • Seizures
    • Cerebrovascular accidents
    • Headaches
    • Focal neurologic findings
    • Mental status changes
    • Head trauma
During patient rounds, clinic encounter with patients and during conferences.
Lectures
Self study
Evaluation
  • About five questions with images is part of the final examination