The Department of Radiology
The Department of Radiology of the Nassau University
Medical Center offers an approved four-year program
in Diagnostic Radiology, leading to board certification.
The 30-room department has the most modern equipment.
All facilities in the department are under the
supervision of a dedicated, full-time staff. The
department performs over 155,000 examinations
a year in all diagnostic radiology subspecialty
areas. An extensive departmental library, including
a teaching file on laser disc and other audiovisual
aids, permits ready access to current and standard
educational materials. A large conference room
with all audiovisual facilities is located within
the department. Four residency positions are offered
each year.
Diagnostic Radiology
The Division of Diagnostic Radiology offers a
broad experience in the field. The large number
of patients seen at the institution, particularly
in the Emergency Department, provides extensive
exposure to trauma radiology. The Radiology staff
includes specialists in GI, GU, chest, bone and
pediatric radiology. The GI suites are equipped
with image intensification and videotape replay,
while the IVP rooms are equipped with tomographic
instrumentation. In all areas, residents are given
increasing responsibility for the performance
and interpretation of radiographic examinations
under the direct supervision of an attending radiologist.
There are multiple daily intradepartmental and
interdepartmental educational conferences.
Neuroradiology
The Division of Neuroradiology is responsible
for all neuroradiological procedures. Modern equipment
is employed to perform the most sophisticated
neuroradiological studies, such as computed tomography,
magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral angiography,
and myelography. There are two high-resolution,
fast-computed tomography scanners (one of them
a spiral unit), a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging
unit, and a digital angiography suite for imaging
of the brain and spine. The residents who rotate
through the Division of Neuroradiology actively
participate in the performance and interpretation
of all neuroradiological procedures under the
guidance of two highly-qualified neuroradiologists.
The assigned residents also contribute to the
preparation of, and actively participate in, all
intradepartmental and interdepartmental conferences
pertaining to neuroradiology.
Ultrasound and Body Computed Tomography
and Magnetic Resonance
The Division of Ultrasound, Body Computed Tomography,
and Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a part of the
Department of Radiology. There is a close interaction
between these diagnostic imaging modalities.
There is a large obstetrical referral service
which includes a program for evaluation of high-risk
pregnancies. Ultrasonography is also used in the
diagnosis of pelvic, abdominal and vascular abnormalities,
as well as evaluation of other organ systems.
All ultrasound examinations are performed with
state-of-the-art equipment, including color doppler
and transvaginal imaging. Scanning techniques
and interpretation are both stressed.
Two state-of-the-art CT scanners and a new magnetic
resonance imaging unit provide the entire gamut
of cross-sectional imaging examinations. Abdominal,
pelvic, chest and musculoskeletal MRI examinations
are performed. Experience in body CT is extensive,
including ample exposure to trauma studies. Residents
also participate in the planning and performance
of CT and ultrasound-guided biopsy and drainage
procedures.
During their rotations in body imaging divisions,
residents gain considerable experience in planning,
performing and reviewing cases. Weekly scheduled
conferences are given to residents by the attending
staff.
Breast Imaging
The Division of Breast Imaging offers extensive
experience in the diagnosis of breast diseases.
The Breast Imaging Center has two dedicated mammography
units, and a dedicated breast ultrasound unit.
Residents participate in the planning and performance
of interventional procedures, including needle
localizations and biopsies. The resident works
closely with the attending staff, assuming increasing
responsibility for patient evaluation.
Nuclear Medicine
Radionuclide in-vivo imaging and laboratory examinations
are performed in a separate, ultra-modern suite
containing state-of-the-art equipment. The division
director directs a full-time staff plus nuclear
technology trainees. Two large field-of-view cameras,
as well as a state-of-the-art, twin-head, scintillation
cameras with single photo emission tomography
capabilities (SPECT), interfaced with a late-generation
nuclear computer, permit performance of the most
sophisticated diagnostic procedures, including
gated SPECT. A dedicated small field-of-view gamma
camera is used for nuclear cardiology studies.
An up-to-date dual energy absorptiometry (DEXA)
unit is used for osteoporosis detection. The residents'
primary responsibility is not only to interpret
all in-vivo studies, but also to evaluate every
request for a nuclide procedure. Patient charts,
as well as all prior x-ray, ultrasound and CT
studies, are immediately available to aid in formulating
an impression and guiding the clinician to the
next diagnostic step. Each scan is approved by
a physician before the patient leaves the imaging
suite, and, depending on the particular study,
a physical examination may be performed. Scans
are reviewed by the attending staff for consultation
and confirmation of the trainee's impression.
Regularly scheduled conferences are held within
the Department of Radiology, as well as in conjunction
with the other services. Clinical conferences
are held in the division itself.
Vascular and Interventional Radiology
The Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
offers the full range of older and newer outpatient
and inpatient special procedures. These include
arteriography and venography, venous sampling
procedures, lytic therapy, balloon angioplasty,
and stent placement for arterial, venous or graft
stenosis, embolizations of various kinds, hepatobiliary
procedures such as transhepatic cholangiograms,
biliary drainage and dilatation, percutaneous
nephrostomies, and abscess drainage and biopsies
of various organs. Newer procedures include placement
of peripherally-inserted central catheters (PICCS)
and placement of ports in the upper arm. Equipment
includes two angiography suites, one of which
has digital capability. Residents assume gradually
increasing responsibility for these procedures
under the guidance of their attending, as their
experience increases. Weekly teaching conferences
and a joint conference with Vascular Surgery are
held in the department.
Radiation Oncology
The Division of Radiation Oncology of the Nassau
University Medical Center is a modern cancer treatment
center. Equipment includes a state-of-the-art
high dual energy linear accelerator with electrons
and a cobalt unit. A simulator is used for accurate
localization of treatment fields. A custom blocking
and computerized treatment planning system is
used. Brachytherapy procedures with radioactive
materials are performed in conjunction with CT
scans.
With over 10,000 patients per year, the division
participates in a full-scale, integrated, multidisciplinary
cancer treatment program with other services.
The involvement of the radiation oncologists in
the diagnostic radiology residency teaching program
adds to the residents' understanding of malignant
disease.
Division of Physics
The Division of Physics of the Department of Radiology
provides direct support to the clinical divisions
and oversees the radioactive materials and x-ray
radiation safety programs for the entire medical
center. Members of the division may be certified
by the American Board of Radiology or other certification
boards.
A wide range of instrumentation is available to
maintain an exemplary quality assurance program.
The division utilizes two computers for clinical
purposes, one dedicated to the Division of Nuclear
Medicine for the purpose of data acquisition and
analysis, and the other to the Division of Radiation
Oncology for determination of patient dose distributions
and other numerical processing. An extensive range
of software is utilized, and resident physicians
are encouraged to interact with either system.
The division conducts a comprehensive teaching
program to prepare residents for their board certification.
Practical lab sessions and lectures on physics
are part of the residency program. The physicists
are also available on an informal basis to interact
with those residents engaged in special research
or interested in special topics.
|
