The mission of the Brown Diagnostic Neuroradiology Section parallels that of the Radiology department, which is to teach, develop and provide the most accurate diagnostic tests and treatments in neuroradiology with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. Providing exceptional clinical care is the primary focus of our section. To achieve this goal, we not only utilize current state-of-the art imaging techniques but also develop and apply novel advanced imaging techniques to solve important clinical problems.
The Diagnostic Neuroradiology section performs and interprets the full spectrum of brain, spine, and head and neck imaging procedures (including conventional CT and MRI, CT myelography, diffusion tensor imaging/tractography, fMRI, and DSC, DCE, and ASL perfusion MRI). Our areas of expertise include neuro-oncologic imaging, stroke imaging, and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI.
The Section provides subspecialty coverage for Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, and Hasbro Children’s Hospital and interprets examinations from multiple outpatient imaging facilities within Rhode Island. The Section provides neuroradiology guidance for multidisciplinary clinical conferences: ENT, biweekly; Neurosurgery grand rounds, weekly; adult epilepsy, monthly; pediatric epilepsy, monthly; pituitary/endocrine, monthly; pediatric neurooncology, monthly; neurology case review, weekly; and adult neurooncology, weekly.
Our physician staff consists of nine Brown faculty members including nationally- and internationally-recognized leaders in the field who publish their research in peer-reviewed journals, deliver invited lectures at other academic institutions and at specialty meetings, head multi-center clinical imaging trials, and compete for external funding, including from the National Institutes of Health. We serve as journal reviewers, editorial board members, and in various leadership positions for specialty societies in neuroradiology and magnetic resonance imaging. Current areas of active research among our clinical faculty include response assessment of brain tumors with perfusion MRI, application of artificial intelligence to clinical neuroradiology, and impact of MR safety policy on patient compliance and outcomes.
Our full-time research faculty have special expertise in MRI pulse sequence development and myelin imaging. Their research in pediatric brain development, which has received multi-year NIH, private philanthropic and industrial support, emphasizes the impact of nutritional and environmental impact on pediatric brain development.
The section also prides itself on its excellence in medical education. Our section participates in the core third year Brown Medical School clinical neuroscience rotation, has a fully utilized 4th year neuroradiology elective and participates in the general radiology elective. We take greatest pride in the training of our AMS Brown University Diagnostic Imaging residents in Diagnostic Neuroradiology, some of whom each year select neuroradiology fellowship programs of excellence in order to continue their neuroradiology training.
