MGH Department of Radiology - Emergency Radiology

ABOUT US
SERVICES
OTHER SERVICES

ABOUT US

MGH’s Robert A. Novelline, MD, head of the Division of Emergency Radiology, founded the American Society of Emergency Radiology and MGH was the first institution to establish a Fellowship Training Program in Emergency Radiology. "High quality emergency radiology produces better patient outcomes and lowers costs," says Novelline. "Patients and physicians no longer have to wait hours for results, and faster diagnosis means earlier treatment and better results."

Many of the emergency imaging procedures and protocols in current use today at other medical centers were first established at, and reported from the MGH. A CT technique for diagnosing appendicitis, developed at MGH, is now widely used throughout the country and can prevent up to 50.000 unnecessary operations per year by identifying patients who present with symptoms of, but do not have appendicitis. Cross-sectional imaging protocols for other acute abdominal conditions can quickly identify patients who need emergency surgery and differentiate them from those for whom surgery is not necessary. Similar protocols have been developed for traumatic and non-traumatic emergencies of the chest, spine, pelvis, face, and extremities.

The Emergency Radiology Division is at the forefront of radiology education. Dr. Novelline has edited a Core Curriculum in Emergency Radiology, which describes the educational content to be taught to trainees in emergency radiology. Dr. Novelline and his colleagues have published numerous original reports, chapters, and textbooks in the field of Emergency Radiology.

SERVICES

Radiology performs emergency plain film and tomographic examinations as well as fluoroscopic examinations, intravenous urography, ultrasound studies, and computed tomography. Three-dimensional computed tomography is also available. Examinations are obtained on a first-come, first-served basis except for STAT or ASAP examinations, which are given priority. MGH staff are available for consultation at all times in the Emergency Radiology interpretation area. Consultation should occur before performance of a CT scan, ultrasound examination, or other special procedure.

The Emergency Department at MGH is Level 1 Trauma Center for adult trauma, pediatric trauma, and burns. A level 1 trauma center always maintains key personnel and medical specialists to instantly respond to virtually any patient emergency from multiple trauma to stroke. The Emergency Radiology Division at MGH is equipped to image any emergency patient who comes through the door and produce a report as quickly as possible. About 46% of all the patients at MGH are admitted through the Emergency Department and undergo their initial imaging work-up in Emergency Radiology. At MGH, emergency radiology means high-level, sophisticated imaging and expertise available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

The Emergency Radiology Division is equipped with two, state-of-the art, multislice CT scanners, diagnostic ultrasound, and four radiographic rooms. The Division performs over 85,000 cases per year, including more than 16,000 CT scans. The CT scanners can quickly and accurately diagnose traumatic injuries as well as a wide variety of non-traumatic medical and surgical emergency conditions, such as pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, and diverticulitis. The CT scanners can even produce images that stop the heart in motion. Computer workstations can create three-dimensional CT images of facial fractures and aneurysms. The Emergency Radiology Division is never closed, and it provides diagnostic imaging for in-house MGH patients on evenings and weekends.

OTHER SERVICES

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI)
MGH Emergency Radiology is responsible for all MEEI diagnostic imaging during the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 24 hours weekends and holidays.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Health Services
MGH Emergency Radiology is responsible for all MIT Health Services diagnostic imaging during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and all day weekends and holidays. MIT patients are also referred to MGH Emergency Radiology 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the MGH Emergency Radiology Service Representative.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital at MGH
MGH Emergency Radiology provides diagnostic imaging during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily including weekends. All other hours are covered by SRH. Patients are registered through phone registration 617-726-9090, prior to their exams.

Partners Community Healthcare Inc. (PCHI)
MGH Emergency Radiology is responsible for all PCHI Health Services diagnostic imaging during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all day weekends and holidays. Patients are registered through phone registration 617-726-9090, prior to their exams.