Neuroradiology Fellowship

 The neuroradiology fellowship program at UT Southwestern Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for the training of neuroradiologists.  Both one- and two-year fellowships are offered.  Up to six fellows are accepted per year.  During this time, the trainee will perform procedures, participate in film interpretation sessions, provide consultative and teaching services for other departments and for radiology residents, and take part in the academic activities of the Neuroradiology Division.  The fellowship experience includes a rotation in pediatric neuroradiology, rotations in CT and MR interpretation, and performance of special procedures.  Structured rotations in spine and head and neck are also included.  Observation and some assistance in interventional neuro procedures are offered during angiography rotations, especially at Zale Lipshy University Hospital.

During the second year, further subspecialization options are offered during part of the year in a variety of areas, including pediatric, spine, head and neck, and MRI.  A separate interventional neuroradiology fellowship program also exists.

Patient care at Parkland Hospital includes a wide variety of trauma and emergency cases, as well as many referral cases. The service gives a broad exposure to all types of neurological and neurosurgical problems. Annual case load at Parkland and Zale Lipshy includes about 2,500 neuro angiograms and embolizations; 60,000 CT studies of the head, neck and spine; 300 scheduled and emergent myelograms; and 18,000 MRI studies. The institutional environment at UT Southwestern includes five CT scanners at Parkland Hospital and two CT scanners at Zale Lipshy Hospital. These include multidetector scanners at both hospitals. There are two 1.5T MR scanners, one 0.7T open magnet, and one 3T scanner at the Algur H. Meadows Advanced Imaging Center and two 1.5T MR scanners at the Rogers MR Center. Also included are a dedicated biplane neuroangiography suite at Parkland Hospital, two biplane angiography suites at Zale Lipshy Hospital that are shared with the visceral angiography service, and a variety of radiologic rooms for performance of myelography and other procedures. Children's Medical Center has a state-of-the-art radiology facility with CT, MR, and angio facilities as well.

The rotations are divided in accordance with the institution and service.  The year also includes a one-month rotation at Children's Medical Center in pediatric neuroradiology.  During the second year of neuroradiology fellowship, a greater degree of autonomy and function is expected of the candidate, and greater supervisory skills are required.  The fellow becomes an Instructor in the Radiology Department during the second year, functioning as a junior faculty member under the continued guidance of the senior faculty.

Academic productivity is encouraged, and it is expected that at least one publication will emanate from a fellow's experience.  Specific rotations in research laboratories have not been utilized historically due to the makeup of the fellowship.  Research facilities could be made available during the second year of fellowship if the candidate so desired and if a suitable project were identified.  Multiple opportunities are available for collaboration with faculty in every subspecialty.

Further information may be obtained by calling Leslie Mihal, Neuroradiology Fellowship Coordinator, at (214) 648-3037 or via e-mail at Leslie.Mihal@utsouthwestern.edu.