Rush University Medical Center, the primary teaching hospital for Rush Medical College of Rush University, is offering three, one-year fellowship positions in body imaging.

Body imaging fellows spend a total of eight months in magnetic resonance imaging and four months in ultrasound. Electives include cardiovascular CT and CT-PET.

Ultrasonography

The section of ultrasonography performs approximately 100 exams per day in inpatient and outpatient imaging facilities and a non-invasive vascular laboratory. A large volume of vascular and obstetrical examinations is performed, including high-risk pregnancy referrals.

The section features the latest technology, including eight Acuson/Sequoia scanners and four GE Logic 7's and two Logic 9's. Although we are fully integrated with the department's Siemens PACS, we have Kinetics as our dedicated ultrasound PACS for real-time digital clip storage and display capabilities. Manufacturers use the section as a test site for innovative equipment.

A large proportion of scanning is performed by radiologists in the section, including interventional procedures under ultrasound control as well as intraoperative and routine diagnostic scans. As a result, fellows acquire exceptional "hands-on" experience. Procedures include sonohysterography, soft tissue biopsy, paracentesis, thoracentesis and deep abdominal biopsy. We also provide ultrasound guidance for operative procedures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Rush currently operates three 1.5 Tesla General Electric Signa MR scanners and a Siemens Sonata MR Cardiac scanner. These are high performance scanners designed for advanced cardiovascular and functional neurological MRI applications, as well as MR spectroscopy. In addition, the body imaging section reads more than 1250 musculoskeletal cases per year from an off site MR scanner.

Besides musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging, the Body MRI examinations include cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and obstetric MR imaging, including fetal MRI. Our examinations are performed with the latest techniques including time-resolved imaging (TRICKS).

The educational program in MRI emphasizes teaching of the physical theory as well as the clinical practice of MR imaging. This includes MR physics and clinical seminars by Dr. Turner, the chairperson of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology.

MRI and US conferences also include bimonthly journal clubs and monthly conferences prepared by fellows for the residents.