MGH Department of Radiology - Bone Radiology

VISITING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ABOUT MGH MUSCULOSKELETAL IMAGING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
CLINICAL ROTATIONS
	MR Imaging Spine and Joint Interventional Procedures Image-guided Biopsies Computed Tomography Plain Film Interpretation Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Image-guided Radiofrequency Ablation The Musculoskeletal Institute at the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care
DEPARTMENTAL AND INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CONFERENCES
RESEARCH
APPLYING FOR THE MGH MSK RADIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
	Timeline The selection process Foreign medical graduates (FMGs, IMGs)
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION MATERIALS

ABOUT MGH MUSCULOSKELETAL IMAGING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

MGH Musculoskeletal Imaging (MSK) is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive fellowship programs available in the country. Our staff, the wealth of clinical material and interaction with world-class clinicians provides an opportunity to become exposed to all aspects of both diagnostic and interventional bone radiology. Graduates of our fellowship program have been successful both in academic and private practice careers. Musculoskeletal radiology fellows gain experience in a wide gamut of diagnostic and interventional modalities.

CLINICAL ROTATIONS

MR Imaging
The Department of Radiology at MGH is a fully digital environment, with a complete PACS (Picture Archival and Communication System), allowing image review and analysis at multiple different locations, regardless of point of origin. We have state-of-the-art magnetic resonance equipment that includes 4 General Electric Signa 1.5-Tesla scanners and 1 Siemens Sonata 1.5-Tesla scanner, located at Main Campus. In addition, images generated by two GE 1.5 Tesla scanners at our satellite facilities (Charlestown, Waltham) and Teleradiology cases are available for review via PACS. This network generates around 10,000 musculoskeletal MR examinations per year including MR arthrograms. Sports medicine and oncology consultations on MR imaging obtained at non-MGH sites provide additional exposure to interesting and complex cases.

Spine and Joint Interventional Procedures
The Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology plays a major role in image-guided pain treatment at MGH. An excess of 2,000 fluoroscopically-guided spine and joint injections/year are performed at our dedicated fluoroscopy unit on Wang 2. Our fellows have extensive exposure to all types of procedures involving spine (epidurals, selective nerve root blocks, facet injections, sacroiliac joint injections, rhizotomy, vertebroplasty) and joints (arthrograms, joint aspirations and injections).

Image-guided Biopsies

The MGH is a major referral center for bone and soft tissue neoplasms, providing an outstanding volume of image-guided biopsies for assessment of suspected metastases, primary and recurrent musculoskeletal tumors. Biopsies are performed using CT scanners or sonography, and a wide array of biopsy instruments is available for sampling of lesions. Around 300 image-guided musculoskeletal biopsies are performed per year at our institution.

Computed Tomography
CT scans are performed using state-of-the-art equipment located at Blake 2 and Yawkey 6, providing a wealth of about 1,200 musculoskeletal exams per year. Currently, six MDCT scanners are utilized for all our clinical studies.

Plain Film Interpretation
The Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging is responsible for all non-emergent adult musculoskeletal plain radiographs obtained at MGH, grossing around 30,000 examinations per year. Plain film cases are available through PACS and cover practically the whole spectrum of musculoskeletal disease, representing the basis for interpretation of advanced MSK modalities. Our fellows have plain film rotations concurrently with interpretation of advanced modalities, providing well-balanced training in musculoskeletal diagnosis.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Sonography of the musculoskeletal system is an exciting new modality recently implemented at MGH. We utilize the most advanced US technology available, employing General Electric Logiq 9 units and high-frequency probes for the evaluation of muscle and tendon abnormalities, joint derangements and Morton’s neuroma. This service, which includes sonographically guided biopsies and procedures, has steadily grown in the past 2 years and is part of the fellowship rotations. Furthermore, MSK staff members are involved in ongoing research efforts assessing the utility of 3D-ultrasound reconstructions of rotator cuff and MR-arthroscopic correlations.

Image-guided Radiofrequency Ablation
The MGH has pioneered the use of radiofrequency (RF) energy for image-guided therapy and is the major destination for noninvasive treatment of osteoid osteoma. Around 1-2 CT-guided osteoid osteoma RF ablations are performed weekly, providing a unique opportunity for our fellows to gain experience in this advanced treatment modality. Click here if you would like to read more about RF treatment of osteoid osteoma at MGH.

The Musculoskeletal Institute at the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care

In October 2004, the Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging moved to the new Yawkey Building, located adjacent to the MGH Main Campus. This represents a major breakthrough with the creation of the Musculoskeletal Institute, combining musculoskeletal radiology, orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and physical therapy in an integrated facility. Additional 3.0- and 1.5-Tesla Siemens MR scanners, 2 MDCT scanners, 2 MSK interventional rooms, and ultrasound service adjacent to dedicated MSK Radiology offices and interpretation area have enhanced our ability to provide state-of-the-art medical care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

DEPARTMENTAL AND INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CONFERENCES

Fellows and residents rotating at MSK Imaging participate in several daily and weekly didactic conferences that cover from the basics of plain film interpretation to the most updated concepts on advanced imaging modalities and interventional techniques.

Our Division staff and fellows are very active in conferences with several specialties involved in musculoskeletal disorders. Weekly conferences with oncologic orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, spine surgery and rheumatology provide extensive exposure to complex cases and current management of a wide array of bone and joint disorders.

RESEARCH

There are numerous opportunities for fellows to develop research at MSK Imaging. Current cutting-edge research efforts involve clinical applications of muscle 1H-MR spectroscopy to metabolic disorders and muscle atrophy, and the technical aspects of 3.0-Tesla imaging in diagnostic interpretation of spine and joints. Furthermore, several ongoing research projects on MSK MR imaging, applications of MSK ultrasound, body composition changes in HIV, and Gaucher disease provide a wide gamut of possibilities to develop academic endeavors. All fellows have protected academic time and are required to complete an academic or research project during the year, which may range from MSK educational materials to article submission for peer-reviewed journals.

APPLYING FOR THE MGH MSK RADIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Timeline
We are closed for 2009-10 applications. Applications for 2010-11 positions can be submitted beginning July 1, 2008.

The selection process
The selection process involves an initial assessment of your CV, personal statement and letters of recommendation (see Application Materials, below). Selected applicants will be invited for one-day interviews with MGH MSK staff members and will have the opportunity to get acquainted with our working environment and facilities. The number of fellowship positions varies from year to year (3 or 4 clinical fellows per year).

Foreign medical graduates (FMGs, IMGs)
Foreign medical graduates are encouraged to apply for our fellowship. Please note: to be considered for a fellowship position, you must have passed the entire USMLE (Steps 1, 2, 3, CSA and TOEFL) and be eligible for a Full Medical License at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please visit the USMLE and Massachusetts Medical Board for more detailed information.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION MATERIALS

IMPORTANT: Please do not send us documents other than those listed below, as this creates unnecessary paperwork. If other documents are deemed necessary (e.g., Medical School transcripts, USMLE score transcripts, residency rotation reports) we will contact you and request the specific documents. We do not require the Universal Fellowship Application Form, so there is no need to send one with your application materials.

You may send your application documents piecemeal, as long as you send only the required documents.

Due to the large number of applications we receive every year, we strongly encourage you to follow these three steps regarding application materials:

1. Required documents: