Neuroradiology is a subspecialty of radiology that lays attention on the characterization and diagnosis of abnormalities in the peripheral and central nervous system, neck, head and spine. The basic imaging modalities include magnetic resonance imaging popularly called as MRI and computed tomography popularly known as CT.

DM in Neuroradiology is a super specialty Doctorate of Medicine course, which extends to a period of two years. This course is offered by a very few colleges in India and the names of government colleges offering this course are given below:

• National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Eligibility criteria for seeking admission to the DM Neuroradiolgy course:

For seeking admission to the DM in Neuroradiology course offered by AIIMS, candidates must have completed their MD in Radiology or its equivalent from a recognized institution. The duration of this course in this college is three years and maximum age limit to apply for this course is 30 years. As far as National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore is concerned, candidates must have completed their MD/DNB in Radiodiagnosis from an institution recognized by the Medical Council of India. This college is permitted to admit two students per year for the DM in Neuroradiology course.

What is the selection criteria followed by these institutions?

Normally these institutions invite applications from candidates by advertising in all India level newspapers and once the applications are received, they are screened to check the basic qualification and career grading of the candidates. Then, an objective type test is conducted for checking the grading aptitude of the candidates. On successful completion of this test, a departmental interview will be conducted for assessment of curricular ability, interactive ability and past performance of the students.  Then, final interview will be conducted by institutional board headed by the director for offering admission to this super specialty course.

What are the subjects covered under DM in Neuroradiology course?

The first part of the course includes basic science subjects like anatomy, physiology, pathology and microbiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, physical principles and instrumentation in imaging, stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic procedures, epidemiology and biostatistics in neuroradiology, while second part includes clinical sciences and training programmes. The training programme offered during the first year includes basics of clinical neurosciences and basic sciences pertaining to neuroradiology, basics of neurology and neurophyiscs, basics of clinical neurosurgery and basic sciences related to neuroradiology. Training Programme in the second year includes Clinical Neuroradiology, Neuropathology, Neuroanaesthesia and Emergency Management, Research and Visit to another centre. Training Programme in the third year includes Clinical Neuroradiology and interventional Neuroradiology.

Scope of DM in Neuroradiology course:

In the USA, it is essential for the radiology residents to spend a minimum of four months in learning neuroradiology to be eligible for certification from radiology board. This clearly indicates the important of neuroradiology in the country and candidates who have completed their super specialty course in neuroradiology can get a wide scope of employment opportunities in most of the developed countries in the world. Moreover, these professionals can find employment opportunities in a number of super specialty hospitals in India as well.