Gastrointestinal Radiology

Gastroingestigal radiology

Gastrointestinal radiology is a subspecialty of radiology which images and treats the digestive tract, stomach, intestines, and abdominal region (its major systems and organs are kidneys, liver, urinary tract, pancreas, and prostate). Because of the extended range of organs being examined and treated this subspecialty is often called abdominal imaging.

Among the duties of GI radiologists are to examine patients’ organs using x-ray, fluoroscopic and other equipment, to diagnose illnesses based on the imaging and other related tests, to recommend treatment plans.

Gastrointestinal radiologists use a number of conventional means of imaging the gastrointestinal systems:

Abdominal radiography;
Barium studies;
Fluoroscopy and;
Cholecystography.

These technologies are still important and widely used, though beyond these methods there are numerous innovative techniques used in the sphere. The modern technologies are:

Ultrasonography is used to image gastrointestinal organs without the use of radiation.
Computed tomography allows assessment of inflammatory and infectious processes, obstruction, tumor detection and staging, allows display of vasculature and blunt trauma effects.
Magnetic resonance imaging is used for multiplanar imaging without the use of radiation.

To be able to work as a gastrointestinal radiologist one must take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (or ARRT) certification exam.

Some Particular Knowledge and Skills Obtained during the Course

Gastrointestinal radiologists must possess deep knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. During the course of education they are taught basics of radiography and radiobiology as well as radiographic equipment and procedures, radiation exposure and quality control, medical ethics and terminology, medical record management.

Students undergoing a course in GI Radiography are taught to perform various radiographic procedures:

Barium Swallow;
Barium Enema;
Diagnosis of Food Impactions & Foreign Bodies in the Esophagus;
Small Bowel Follow-Through;
Enteroclysis;
Peroral Pneumocolon;
Colon Transit Time;
Defecography;
Oral Cholecystography;
Postoperative Cholangiography;
Inguinal Herniography;
Vaginography;
A number of Therapeutic Procedures.

How to Become a Gastrointestinal Radiologist?

Gastrointestinal radiologists are to accomplish several steps in order to become qualified specialists.

First of all, one must complete an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science in radiology (4 years);
Next is obtaining an MD or DO degree (4 years);
Formal education is followed by internship (1 year);
The last step is radiology residency (4 years);
The job also requires completion of a specialty course in gastrointestinal radiology (1-2 years).

Quite a number of universities and colleges offer bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate degree programs in radiology all over the US.

Stanford School of Medicine offers degree programs in Radiology with a number of specialties including gastrointestinal radiology department.

Stanford University

The Department of Radiology of the university offers an accredited fellowship position in Abdominal Imaging. The fellowship provides training and experience in all aspects of Abdominal Radiology (CT, abdominal and vascular sonography, abdominal MRI and peripheral MRA etc.). Students are encouraged to participate in ongoing research. The program prepares individuals for an academic or specialized private practice career. The program is accredited by the ACGME.

Emory University School of Medicine

The Department of Radiology of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania offers training programs in radiology which are highly specialized. The university offers also Diagnostic Radiology Residency.

University of Pennsylvania

The society together with the Society of Uroradiology provides the Abdominal Radiology Course. The program highlights technologies in the imaging diagnosis, problem solving with practical solutions for some general issues in abdominal and pelvic imaging. The program provides small group workshops.
The Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists