Neuroradiology Fellowship

There are six to eight weeks of dedicated head/neck training that is led by Erin McComb, MD. This rotation has grown into arguably the most-sought-after rotation in neuroradiology. The success of this rotation lies in the case material and dedication to teaching of the attending staff: For instance, Alexander Nemeth, MD, is a multiple-time recipient of the resident teaching award. PET/CT imaging as it is applied in head/neck cancer is a growing component of the training program and will further enhance the educational experience.

Procedure experience can be subdivided into three distinct areas: diagnostic catheter angiography, neuroendovascular therapeutics and percutaneous spine procedures.

Each fellow rotates for eight or nine weeks on the neurointerventional radiology service. They are responsible for all aspects of patient care, including the work-up, plan and performance of the angiogram, post-operative care and follow-up. Graduated responsibility results in independence in the angio procedure while under the direct supervision of attending staff. There is an emphasis on the technical and interpretive aspects of catheter angiography with correlation to non-invasive exams. The fellows easily surpass the RRC requirement of 50 angiographic procedures per fellow and further exceed that number by participating in diagnostic catheter angiograms at Lurie Children’s as well as endovascular procedures at NMH and Lurie Children's. During their eight- or nine-week neurointerventional radiology experience, the fellows actively participate in therapeutic endovascular cases along with the endovascular fellow (neuroembolization). The diagnostic portion along with initial elements of the therapeutic component are frequently performed by the fellow (i.e., you do more than flush and hold wires).

The fastest-growing procedure service in neuroradiology is the spine service. It is a comprehensive program that encompasses diagnostic and therapeutic spine services. Diagnostic services include CT, MR, CT myelography, discography and any spinal/paraspinal aspiration/biopsy. Our myelography experience goes beyond the typical case and often requires creative approaches to complex spinal problems. Any spine/paraspinal fluid, soft tissue or bone lesion requiring aspiration or biopsy is performed by our section. We utilize ultrasound, fluoroscopy and CT for the majority of these procedures. Pain management procedures include kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty and steroid injections of any kind, including translaminar ESI, transforaminal ESI, selective nerve root blocks and facet injections. Blood patches are performed in three distinct scenarios: post-LP spinal headache, post-operative dural tear and spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Each fellow spends two consecutive months in pediatric neuroradiology at Lurie Children's, under the direction of Sarah Moum, MD. The divisions of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Neurology at Lurie Children's are excellent, and there is a close working relationship with all interrelated specialties. The fellows are exposed to all facets of Pediatric Neuroradiology, including CT, MR and invasive procedures.

Participation in research and attendance at annual scientific meetings is encouraged and fully supported. Consistent academic time is provided throughout the year. A full medical and neuroradiology library is available for fellows, as are a complete spectrum of teaching files and electronic media covering all aspects of neuroimaging and intervention. The fellows’ office, located alongside the attending’s offices, maintains the fellow library, ancillary educational material and desktop computers with internet and hospital systems access. The fellows may utilize any other department resources, including the administrative assistant, graphic artists, webmasters and IRB support personnel.

The Neuroradiology Section at NMH is composed of 13 fellowship-trained neuroradiologists, all of whom are members of the American Society of Neuroradiology and hold Certificates of Added Qualification in Neuroradiology. In addition to the neuroradiology fellows, four radiology residents rotate with us each month.

Fellows fully participate in all clinical, educational, and academic activities. Participation in the teaching of residents and medical students is required. Elective time is available by mutual agreement.

Our faculty is dedicated to excellence in clinical neuroradiology as well as education and research. Members of the section serve on the editorial board of the American Journal of Neuroradiology and have produced an extensive list of peer-reviewed publications in diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology.

Diagnostic Neuroradiologists:

• Tarek A Hijaz, MD (Fellowship Program Director)
• Chase Krumpelman, MD (Associate Fellowship Program Director)
• Virginia B. Hill, MD
• Alex S. Hong, MD
• Marinos Kontzialis, MD
• Alexander W. Korutz, MD (Program Director & Vice Chair for Imaging Informatics)
• Benjamin P. Liu, MD
• Erin N. McComb, MD (Chief of Head and Neck Radiology)
• Michelle J Naidich, MD
• Alexander J. Nemeth, MD (Section Chief)
• Dasha D. Pechersky, MD
• David J. Rusinak, MD (Residency Associate Program Director)
• Eric J. Russell, MD (Former Department Chair)

Weekly Rotations

Inpatient/Outpatient MRI 
Inpatient/Outpatient CT  
Functional Imaging (fMRI, DTI, CT/MR Perfusion, CTA, CSF Flow, TR-MRA, MR Spectroscopy and neonatal head US).
Head and Neck Imaging
Pediatric Imaging (Lurie Children’s)
Neurointerventional Service (spine procedures and angiography)