Q: My concern is that for small fellowship programs, like ours, anonymity will be difficult to maintain. How do you plan to approach this problem?

A: We face the same problem at McGill, for example in our MR fellowship that takes one fellow a year. One way is to ask the fellows in the previous years to contribute, but due to the evolving nature of fellowships, and that significant changes may take place from one year to another, we prefer to limit the reviews to the recent 3-4 years maximum.

I think the solution only comes from a sound professional relationship between fellows and the program director. Hopefully any and all flaws and shortcomings have already been discussed between the fellow and the PD during the training, in the hope of future improvement. As such a review, no matter how positive or negative, would not come as a surprise to the PD. This will give the fellows the security to freely and openly include their honest comments, even in view of non-anonymity, keeping in mind that they will be regarded as constructive criticism for future improvement.

On the other hand if only big programs are represented in the reviews, it may result in less attention to the smaller programs such as yours and our MR fellowship.

We went through the same discussion with our MRI fellows, who were hesitant initially, and we now do have their review on the site. This is a new initiative, and everyone (including us) will go through a certain “learning” curve before the effort comes to fruition.

In the end, I hope and predict that the reviews do more good than harm, not only on a collective basis but also per individual program.

The review room is designed as a tool for applicants to radiology programs. The reviews list some of the factors to consider when applying to a program. There are general and subspecialty specific questions, to increase the relevance of information regarding fellowship programs. The strengths of the programs will be highlighted, and the weaker points can be discussed at the time of the application / interview. Also, we have the option of adding PD’s comments to the reviews, for clarifications or supplemental information.

This is, by no means or intention, an effort to promote or demote certain programs / subspecialties. A great amount of effort and money has been spent to initiate this section, and will continue to be spent to ensure its professional integrity, all in good faith and as an effort to assist the future applicants. We understand that residency / fellowship application is a complicated and stressful process. We are simply trying to help with the transition.

We are new to the process, and we sure have a lot to learn. There are many complexities involving the thought process of someone submitting a review; we are aware of a few, and are ignorant of the bigger rest. We hope that by feedback from our members (including the program directors), we can refine and enhance the structure, functionality and relevance of this section in the future.

4. Spine

Measurement techniques for lower cervical spine injuries: consensus statement of the Spine Trauma Study Group. Bono CM, Vaccaro AR, Fehlings M, Fisher C, Dvorak M, Ludwig S, Harrop J. Spine. 2006 Mar 1;31(5):603-9

Imaging of spinal trauma. Bagley LJ. Radiol Clin North Am. 2006 Jan;44(1):1-12, vii.

Predicting radiology resident errors in diagnosis of cervical spine fractures. Goradia D, Blackmore CC, Talner LB, Bittles M, Meshberg E. Acad Radiol. 2005 Jul;12(7):888-93.

Assessing cervical spine stability in obtunded blunt trauma patients: review of medical literature. Sliker CW, Mirvis SE, Shanmuganathan K. Radiology. 2005 Mar;234(3):733-9.

Cervical spine injury in the elderly: imaging features. Ehara S, Shimamura T. Skeletal Radiol. 2001 Jan;30(1):1-7.

Occipital condyle fractures: clinical presentation and imaging findings in 76 patients. Aulino JM, Tutt LK, Kaye JJ, Smith PW, Morris JA Jr. Emerg Radiol. 2005 Nov;11(6):342-7.

The cervicocranium: its radiographic assessment. Harris J Jr. Radiology. 2001 Feb;218(2):337-51.

Radiologic spectrum of craniocervical distraction injuries.Deliganis AV, Baxter AB, Hanson JA, Fisher DJ, Cohen WA, Wilson AJ, Mann FA. Radiographics. 2000 Oct;20 Spec No:S237-50. Erratum in: Radiographics 2001 Mar-Apr;21(2):520.

Spectrum of imaging findings in hyperextension injuries of the neck. Rao SK, Wasyliw C, Nunez DB Jr. Radiographics. 2005 Sep-Oct;25(5):1239-54.

Vertebral injuries: detection and implications. Daffner RH, Daffner SD. Eur J Radiol. 2002 May;42(2):100-16.

3. Skull, Face and Neck

1. Fractures

Diagnosis of midface fractures with CT: what the surgeon needs to know. Hopper RA, Salemy S, Sze RW. Radiographics. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):783-93.

Imaging of facial trauma. Sun JK, LeMay DR. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):295-309.

Temporal bone fractures. Saraiya PV, Aygun N. Emerg Radiol. 2009 Jul;16(4):255-65.

Imaging of traumatic neurovascular injury. Stallmeyer MJ, Morales RE, Flanders AE. Radiol Clin North Am. 2006 Jan;44(1):13-39, vii.

2. Injuries of the orbit

Imaging of orbital trauma. Kubal WS. Radiographics. 2008 Oct;28(6):1729-39.

Nontraumatic orbital conditions: diagnosis with CT and MR imaging in the emergent setting. LeBedis CA, Sakai O. Radiographics. 2008 Oct;28(6):1741-53.

Orbital trauma. Go JL, Vu VN, Lee KJ, Becker TS. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):311-24.

3. Central Nervous System

1. Extra-axial hemorrhages & parenchymal injuries

Imaging of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Young RJ, Destian S. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):189-204.

Imaging of sequelae of head trauma. Zee CS, Hovanessian A, Go JL, Kim PE. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):325-38, ix.

Surgical management of head trauma. Gruen P. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):339-43.

Diffuse axonal injuries: pathophysiology and imaging. Hammoud DA, Wasserman BA. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):205-16

2. Herniation syndromes

Imaging of acquired cerebral herniations. Johnson PL, Eckard DA, Chason DP, Brecheisen MA, Batnitzky S. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):217-28.

3. Cerebral infarction

CT protocol for acute stroke: tips and tricks for general radiologists. de Lucas EM, Sánchez E, Gutiérrez A, Mandly AG, Ruiz E, Flórez AF, Izquierdo J, Arnáiz J, Piedra T, Valle N, Bañales I, Quintana F. Radiographics. 2008 Oct;28(6):1673-87.

Imaging-guided acute ischemic stroke therapy: From “time is brain” to “physiology is brain”. González RG.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Apr;27(4):728-35.

Modern emergent stroke imaging: pearls, protocols, and pitfalls. Mullins ME. Radiol Clin North Am. 2006 Jan;44(1):41-62, vii-viii.

State-of-the-art imaging of acute stroke. Srinivasan A, Goyal M, Al Azri F, Lum C. Radiographics. 2006 Oct;26 Suppl 1:S75-95.

Non-traumatic neurological emergencies: imaging of cerebral ischemia. Grunwald I, Reith W. Eur Radiol. 2002 Jul;12(7):1632-47.

4. Dural sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis and multidetector CT angiography: tips and tricks. Rodallec MH, Krainik A, Feydy A, Hélias A, Colombani JM, Jullès MC, Marteau V, Zins M. Radiographics. 2006 Oct;26 Suppl 1:S5-18; discussion S42-3

Imaging of cerebral venous thrombosis: current techniques, spectrum of findings, and diagnostic pitfalls. Leach JL, Fortuna RB, Jones BV, Gaskill-Shipley MF. Radiographics. 2006 Oct;26 Suppl 1:S19-41; discussion S42-3.

Neuroimaging of cerebral venous thrombosis. Wasay M, Azeemuddin M. J Neuroimaging. 2005 Apr;15(2):118-28.

Thrombosis of the cerebral veins and sinuses. Stam J. N Engl J Med. 2005 Apr 28;352(17):1791-8.

The empty delta sign. Lee EJ. Radiology. 2002 Sep;224(3):788-9.

5. Vascular injuries

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries: imaging with multidetector CT angiography. Sliker CW. Radiographics. 2008 Oct;28(6):1689-708.

Craniocervical arterial dissection: spectrum of imaging findings and differential diagnosis. Rodallec MH, Marteau V, Gerber S, Desmottes L, Zins M. Radiographics. 2008 Oct;28(6):1711-28.

Imaging of traumatic neurovascular injury.Stallmeyer MJ, Morales RE, Flanders AE. Radiol Clin North Am. 2006 Jan;44(1):13-39, vii.

Traumatic vascular injuries and their management.Larsen DW. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):249-69.

6. Penetrating injuries

Radiographic assessment of cranial gunshot wounds.Kim PE, Go JL, Zee CS. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):229-48.

7. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome

CT and CT-perfusion findings of reversible leukoencephalopathy during triple-H therapy for symptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage-related vasospasm. Wartenberg KE, Parra A. J Neuroimaging. 2006 Apr;16(2):170-5.

A reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.Hinchey J, Chaves C, Appignani B, Breen J, Pao L, Wang A, Pessin MS, Lamy C, Mas JL, Caplan LR. N Engl J Med. 1996 Feb 22;334(8):494-500.

1. General

Subcutaneous emphysema: diagnostic clue in the emergency room. Martí de Gracia M, Gutiérrez FG, Martínez M, Dueñas VP. Emerg Radiol. 2009 Sep;16(5):343-8.

What ER radiologists need to know about radiation risks. Huda W. Emerg Radiol. 2009 Sep;16(5):335-41

Managing an acute adverse event in a radiology department. Kruskal JB, Siewert B, Anderson SW, Eisenberg RL, Sosna J. Radiographics. 2008 Sep-Oct;28(5):1237-50.

Current Role of Emergency US in Patients with Major Trauma. Körner M, Krötz MM, Degenhart C, Pfeifer KJ, Reiser MF, Linsenmaier U. Radiographics. 2008 Jan-Feb;28(1):225-42.

Imaging the pregnant patient for nonobstetric conditions: algorithms and radiation dose considerations. Patel SJ, Reede DL, Katz DS, Subramaniam R, Amorosa JK. Radiographics. 2007 Nov-Dec;27(6):1705-22

New proposed responsibilities of a radiologist in the emergency room: what you need to know and must, shall, should do. Goldman SM. Emerg Radiol. 2006 Mar;12(3):87.