Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention Fellowship

Welcome from the Fellowship Director

The University of Colorado Musculoskeletal Radiology and Intervention Section is passionate about providing an exceptional fellowship experience in both diagnostics and procedures. We represent a large energetic section of 9 fellowship-trained radiologists, with clinical applications extending throughout the entire spectrum of bone and joint imaging as well as intervention. We are always striving to create a phenomenal experience for trainees!

The MSK fellowship strives to provide an entirely comprehensive year-long experience encompassing the full breadth of MSK diagnostic imaging and intervention. Our section provides diagnostic services for the University of Colorado Hospital as well as over a dozen outlying hospitals, clinics, and urgent care facilities. Fellows will interpret MRI, CT, radiographs, and targeted ultrasound examinations of the extremities and spine.

The section works closely with our referrers from the Orthopedic, Oncology, Pain, Rheumatology, Sports Medicine, Primary Care, Spine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pediatric clinics. In addition, we provide imaging and intervention services to local Denver NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NCAA teams.

Our fellow philosophy is structured around a system of graduated responsibility, as fellows are hired as “Clinical Instructors” within the School of Medicine. Throughout the year, fellows will develop and earn increased levels of independence in their work to help prepare for independent practice. In addition, fellows are a vital component in the education of our phenomenal residents at the University of Colorado Radiology Residency.

Fellows will receive dedicated lectures as part of the Western MSK Fellow Collab Lecture Series throughout the year.

Fellows will split time between diagnostics and a robust procedural service based out of the University of Colorado Hospital utilizing state-of-the-art techniques and equipment.

Commonly performed procedures include:

Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural Blood Patches

Joint Injection and Aspirations

Bone and Soft Tissue Biopsies

Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty

Radiofrequency Ablation

Cryoablation

Rhizotomy

Fellows will rotate through a variety of clinical sites, often embedded within orthopedics and sports medicine clinics:

University of Colorado Hospital Outpatient Clinics

Steadman-Hawkins Orthopedics Clinics

CU Sports Medicine and Performance Center - Boulder

CU Sports Medicine - Colorado Center

Fellows will participate in multidisciplinary conferences:

Weekly sectional teaching conferences led by fellows and residents, including monthly journal clubs

Weekly sarcoma conference as part of a quaternary referral center, evaluating local patients and from surrounding states

Weekly spine conference

Weekly limb preservation conferences

Monthly bone tumor metastasis conferences

With such a wide variety of exposure, fellows will have the opportunity to participate in multiple research opportunities both on diagnostic and interventional subjects. We require that all fellows complete one research project during their year, ideally to be presented at a national conference. Our faculty and trainees regularly present at national conferences including SSR, RSNA, and ARRS to name a few. Dedicated time for these endeavors is provided as needed.

Thank you for your interest!

Mary "Liz" Buchanan, MD
Assistant Professor, Fellowship Director
mary.e.buchanan@cuanschutz.edu