Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Fellowship

This one-year, non-ACGME-accredited Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Fellowship focuses on abdominal and pelvic MRI and includes up to two months of electives in neuroradiology, musculoskeletal radiology or cardiovascular radiology. This fellowship, approved by the IU School of Medicine Office of Graduate Medical Education, is designed for physicians who are familiar with the technical and clinical aspects of body MRI and who intend to practice advanced Body MRI in their career.

Education

Fellows will spend their year with highly experienced and academically productive Abdominal Radiology faculty, gaining a vast array of knowledge not only through intense clinical activity, but also through didactic sessions and involvement in investigative projects. They will have opportunities to spend time with the magnetic resonance technologists to gather first-hand experience regarding scan protocols and gain valuable insight to how changes are made in individual cases to increase resolution and reduce scan time.

As an active member in an academic environment, the fellow will be expected to present one resident lecture or case presentation conference as well as one board review format conference. Fellows are also expected to present interesting cases to residents on service in the reading room.

Curriculum

Fellows in this program are responsible for rendering interpretations of body MRI studies under the direct supervision of a faculty radiologist. The fellow previews the case, formulates a differential diagnosis (if appropriate), formulates any follow-up recommendations and then presents the case to the faculty radiologist. The fellow's patient care responsibility is to report all body MRI scans and communicate findings (especially critical or unexpected ones) with the referring physicians in person, by electronic communication or telephone, and through the dictated report.

The fellow also participates in supervising the service by protocoling examinations, obtaining consent, checking images on patients prior to completion of the study when necessary, and teaching residents and medical students. The fellow takes part in and is encouraged to moderate multidisciplinary case conferences with gastroenterologists, surgeons and oncologists. In this role, the fellow prepares, under the general supervision of faculty, and presents the imaging findings of patients being discussed at these case conferences.

Research Experience

Body MRI fellows are strongly encouraged to undertake research with one or more Abdominal Radiology faculty. Topics of investigation may include training interested fellows on how to design a research study. Basic statistics are covered either by the radiologists or by available department resources. Fellows receive guidance on how to write scientific manuscripts and are required to complete at least one manuscript during the fellowship. If appropriate, based upon the level of involvement in research, protected academic time is available to the fellow.

Clinical Care

Program leaders train fellows to thoroughly develop clinical skills necessary for the proficient performance of all aspects of body MRI. The fellowship provides high-volume experience with MRI of hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathology as well as genitourinary tract pathology. 

In addition, the fellow will become skilled in gynecologic, rectal and prostate MRI, as well as MR enterography.  Additional training in musculoskeletal MRI, cardiovascular MRI or positron emission tomography (PET) MRI may also be provided to further clinical objectives. Fellows are guided through interventional procedures, including opportunities for biopsies (lung, liver, kidney, peritoneal/retroperitoneal, neck, thyroid), and fluid collection aspiration/drainage catheter placement. 

Fellows choose a faculty mentor for one mandatory research project. This project is presented at the annual IU School of Medicine Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences Campbell-Klatte conference in the spring and submitted for presentation or publication in a national meeting or journal.

Facilities and Equipment

Body MRI fellows train predominantly at IU Health University Hospital and IU Health Methodist Hospital. Both sites are equipped with 1.5 T and 3.0 T magnets. Examinations performed at other IU Health sites are interpreted at the University Hospital reading room, providing the Body MRI fellow with an opportunity to take care of a high volume of patients with broad scope of pathology.

Call Responsibilities

The call responsibilities for Body MRI fellows include 160 hours of general call coverage, comprised of 9-10-hour daytime shifts during weekends. The expectations are to read x-ray examinations (whole body), ultrasounds (all exams), and CT examinations (chest/abdomen/pelvis) for primarily inpatients and ER patients. Call responsibilities may also include fluoroscopic gastrointestinal/genitourinary studies as well as procedures including paracentesis, thoracentesis or fluid collection aspiration.

Moonlighting Opportunities

The fellow will be provided the opportunity to take on additional clinical work as “staff” during the fellowship year, providing valuable additional experience while in a supportive environment.