INTRODUCTION: COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Applied Radiology would like to thank our CT reviewers: Rendon C. Nelson, MD, Vice Chairman, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; and Lawrence N. Tanenbaum, MD, New Jersey Neuroscience Institute and Seton Hall University, Edison, NJ.

One of the most compelling reasons for pursuing and maintaining a career in academic radiology is the continual opportunity to work with young, bright, and enthusiastic individuals, many of whom will shape the future of our specialty. From a clinical standpoint, there are rewards in helping trainees develop new skills and a fund of knowledge. From an academic standpoint, there are rewards in the identification and cultivation of unique talents. This includes learning the various aspects of a research project such as developing a hypothesis, gathering background information, designing the study, collecting and analyzing data, presenting the results at scientific meetings, preparing a manuscript, and applying for external funding. The entire process requires considerable effort, patience, and time, but the rewards for both the mentor and the trainee can be substantial.

Bracco Diagnostics has a long history of providing educational and research opportunities for residents and junior faculty in radiology. In this supplement to Applied Radiology , six radiology residents, hand-selected by their program directors, were invited to submit review articles on topics related to helical CT. (Two residents chose to write about topics that included both CT and MR imaging, and both of these papers were reviewed by all four reviewers.) As you can see from the Table of Contents of this supplement, the selection of topics is not only varied but pertinent. Material for the articles was to come from a review of published literature, supplemented by research experience within the resident's own department as well as their attendance at pertinent presentations during the 2001 RSNA meeting.

After review of the manuscripts, Dr. Lawrence Tanenbaum and myself are pleased to announce that the article entitled "Percutaneous interventions in the management of spinal pain" by Dr. Ravi Cherukuri, from The University of Pittsburgh, has been selected to receive this year's Bracco CT "Leaders on the Horizon" Educational Grant. For his efforts, Dr. Cherukuri will receive an unrestricted educational grant of $5000. He received his undergraduate training and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He plans to pursue a fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at the University of Pittsburgh in 2003.

On behalf of Bracco Diagnostics and Applied Radiology , Dr. Tanenbaum and I want to congratulate all of the residents on their excellent contributions, and we hope that you agree that the future of radiology is in good hands.

Rendon C. Nelson, MD