Overview

Neuroradiology is a sub-specialized field of radiology dealing specifically with imaging of and therapy for diseases of the nervous system, brain, spine, head and neck. Neuroradiology physicians are specially trained in imaging of such diseases as stroke, tumors, vascular malformations and aneurysms of the brain, as well as spinal arthritis and disc disease. Neuroradiologists frequently consult directly with other clinical specialists including neurologists, neurosurgeons, spine surgeons and head and neck surgeons. Annapolis Radiology Associates includes four specialty-trained neuroimaging specialists dedicated to providing the highest quality imaging for neurologic disease, as well as image-guided interventions in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain, spine and neurological system. Physicians meet in weekly conferences with other sub-specialists to discuss treatment options for patients with spinal and central nervous system diseases.

Imaging studies are performed at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, as well as at outpatient facilities including the Sajak Pavilion, AAHS Bowie and MRI Weems Creek. Angiography and interventional procedures are performed in the interventional suites at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. Facilities include four 1.5 Tesla MRI magnets, two low field open configuration MRI machines, several multi-slice CT scanners, and a state-of-the-art biplane angiographic suite for neurovascular diagnosis and intervention.

Physicians

Timothy S. Eckel, MS, MD, director of Neuroimaging and Intervention, is board certified in radiology and neuroradiology. Dr. Eckel is a former faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and served in radiology residency and neuroradiology fellowship at Hopkins. Dr. Eckel joined Annapolis Radiology Associates in 1998 and is a senior member of the American Society of Neuroradiology, the American Society of Spine Radiology and the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology. Dr. Eckel has served as an invited lecturer and instructor at several national meetings including the annual meetings of the ASNR and the ASSR.

Kerry Thompson, MD is the senior neuroradiologist at ARA, and founder of the Annapolis Spinal Intervention Clinic. Dr. Thompson completed his training in radiology and neuroradiology at the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Thompson pioneered the neuroradiology program at Annapolis Radiology Associates in 1983. He is a nationally recognized expert in the minimally invasive treatment of back pain syndromes, especially discogenic back pain.

Azar Peter Dagher, MD is the most recent addition to the neuroradiology service. Dr. Dagher completed his radiology residency and neuroradiology fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and is board-certified in radiology and in neuroradiology. Dr. Dagher served as a faculty member at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and also served as a faculty member at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda prior to joining ARA in 2001.

Dr. Michael B. Clark joined Annapolis Radiology Associates in 2006 and has a special interest in Neurodiagnostics and spinal interventional procedures. 

Services

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic Resonance Arteriography (MRA)
Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV)
Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA)
Myelography
Carotid Angiography
Cerebral Angiography
Embolization procedures
Vertebroplasty
Biopsy services
Spine Interventions (discography, spinal block procedures...)