Overview:

William Palmer. M.D. joined the staff of the Radiology Department of Massachusetts General Hospital in 1991, was Director of Clinical MRI from 1995-1999, and has been Director of Musculoskeletal Imaging since 1999. He received his M.D. in 1984 from Yale University and completed residencies in Internal Medicine (1987, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) and Radiology (1991, Massachusetts General Hospital). He is board-certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine as well as the American Board of Radiology. His clinical research has focused on musculoskeletal injuries, quantitative MR techniques in inflammatory arthritis, degenerative joint disease and bone marrow disorders. Currently, he serves as referee for more than ten clinical and scientific journals, and has an extensive list of invited lectures at national and international meetings. In addition to diagnostic image interpretation, his clinical practice at MGH incorporates extensive image-guided spine and joint intervention for pain management. He trains 4-6 musculoskeletal fellows per year.

Over the past 12 years, he has reviewed thousands of radiographs, CT scans or MR scans across several clinical trials, the largest conducted by major pharmaceutical companies investigating drugs in osteoporosis and inflammatory arthritis. He was a primary reader in a phase III osteoporosis trial that involved the analysis of spine radiographs for fracture deformity in over 14,000 patients. He has been a primary reader in two phase 3 trials that involved the analysis of hand and feet radiographs in nearly 2,000 patients with inflammatory arthritis. Other trials have focused on the assessment of orthopedic devices, such as fusion hardware in the spine, bone morphogenetic protein, and anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and gouty tophi.

Selected Clinical Trials/Research

1. Principal Investigator and Consultant (current) on a Phase III Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled trial consisting of three studies to evaluate Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Interpretation of 31,302 timepoints.

2. Adjudicator (current) on a Phase III Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to evaluate the reduction in signs and symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis and inhibition of progression structural damage in subjects with Active Psoriatic Arthritis. Interpretation of radiographs using the PsA Modified van der Heijde Modified Sharp Scoring Index, involving 396 patients and approximately 9,134 imaging reviews.

3. Adjudicator on a Rhuematoid Arthritis study, a Phase III Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to evaluate the reduction of the signs and symptoms of RA at Week 24 as well as the inhibition of progression of structural damage at Week 52 in Methotrexate (MTX) naïve subjects with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Interpretation of radiographs using the van der Heijde Modified Sharp Scoring Index, involving 600 patients and approximately 10,975 imaging reviews.

4. Adjudicator on a Rhuematoid Arthritis study, a Phase III Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to evaluate the reduction of the signs and symptoms of RA at Week 14 and improvement in physical function at Week 24 in subjects with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis despite Methotrexate (MTX) therapy. Interpretation of radiographs using the van der Heijde Modified Sharp Scoring Index, involving 600 patients and approximately 8,157 imaging reviews.

5. Reviewer for a randomized multi-center feasibility study evaluating a combination device for spinal fusion. Review and interpretation of radiographs and CT scans to assess bone formation/fusion utilizing the bone formation ordinal scale. 39 patients/ 195 imaging timepoints.

6. Reviewer for a phase I study to evaluate injections into one or two lumbar intervertebral disc(s) in patients with Symptomatic Degenerative Disc Disease. Evaluation of MRI scans utilizing measurements for disc height and disc width. 64 patients/300 imaging timepoints.

7. Adjudicator for a phase III placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety treatment in subjects with Axial Spondyloarthritis. Evaluation of radiographs and MRIs of the spine and pelvis, utilizing mSASS assessment and SPARCC assessment respectively. 200 patients/1,184 timepoints.

8. Reviewer for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ‘drug’ in subjects with Postherpetic Neuralgia and Post-Traumatic Neuralgia, followed by a double-blind safety extension and an open-label safety extension. Interpretation of radiographs and MRIs of the hip and or knee using K-L criteria. 839 subjects/980 imaging timepoints.

9. Reviewer for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase 2 study to evaluate the effect of ‘drug’ versus placebo in joint damage in hyperuricemic subjects with early gout. Evaluation of radiographs and MRI scans utilizing SHARP and RAMRIS criteria. 400 subjects/3,200 imaging timepoints.

Education:

1976 Phillips Andover Academy

1980 B.S. Georgetown University

1984 M.D. Yale Medical School

Postdoctoral Training:

1984-1987 Resident Internal Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1987-1991 Resident Diagnostic Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

1986 Fellow Cardiac Catheterization, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1990-1991 Fellow Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Licensure and Certification:

1984 Pennsylvania License Registration

1987 Massachusetts License Registration

1987 American Board of Internal Medicine

1991 American Board of Radiology

1996 Maine License Registration

1998 New York License Registration

2005 Rhode Island License Registration

Academic Appointments:

1984-1987 Clinical Fellow in Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of

Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

1987-1991 Clinical Fellow in Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

1991-1998 Instructor-in-Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

1998- Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Hospital Appointments:

1991-1995 Assistant-in-Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

1991- Associate-in-Radiology, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA

1995- Assistant Radiologist, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Awards and Honors:

1980 Magna Cum Laude, Georgetown University

1980 Phi Beta Kappa, Georgetown University

1980 Sigma Zi, The Scientific Research Society, Georgetown University

1980 College Chemistry Achievement Award of the American Chemical Society

1992 Scientific Exhibit Award (Certificate of Merit), Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America

1993 Scientific Exhibit Award (Bronze Metal), Annual Meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society

1994 Scientific Exhibit Award (Certificate of Merit), Annual Meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society

1993-1994 Executive Development Program, MGH Department of Radiology

1995 Editor's Recognition Award for Distinction in Reviewing, Radiology

1996 Editor's Recognition Award for Distinction in Reviewing, Radiology

1996 Partners in Excellence Award, Partners HealthCare System

Major Clinical Service and Administrative Responsibilities:

1992-1995 Director, Musculoskeletal MR Imaging; MGH Department of Radiology

1995-1999 Director, MR Imaging; MGH Department of Radiology and MGH NMR Imaging Center

1999- Co-Director, MR Imaging; MGH Department of Radiology and MGH NMR Imaging Center

1999- Director, Bone and Joint Division; MGH Department of Radiology

Major Educational Service Responsibilities

1995-1999 Director, Fellowship Training Program in Clinical MR Imaging; MGH Department of Radiology

1995-1999 Co-Director, Fellowship Training Program in Musculoskeletal Radiology, MGH

1999- Director, Fellowship Training Program in Musculoskeletal Radiology, MGH

Major Committee Assignments

Yale University School of Medicine:

1980-1984 Institutional Review Board

1980-1984 Curriculum Committee

Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital

1991- Quality Assurance Committee

1993-1994 Executive Committee

1995-2001 Education Committee

1996- Committee on Clinical Imaging Research

1997- Task Force on Resident Curriculum

1999- Chair, MR Imaging Quality Assurance Committee

Massachusetts General Hospital

1993-98 Practice (Managed Care) Committee

1994-98 Subcommittee on Human Subjects (Institutional Review Board)

2001- Scientific Advisory Committee, MGH Center for Biomarkers in Medical

Imaging

Partner's HealthCare System

1995-97 Radiology Cost Reduction Committee

1996-97 Chair, Subcommittee on Radiology Inventory

1997- Radiology Productivity Improvement Committee

American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN)

2002- Scientific Committee for Musculoskeletal Diseases

American College of Radiology (ACR)

2002- Appropriateness Criteria Committee

Professional Society Involvement

Committee Assignments

1996-99 Scientific Program Committee, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

1995- Scientific Advisory Committee, American College of Surgeons Clinical Trials Group

(sarcoma), American Cancer Society

1996-2002 Education Committee, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

1999 Founder, Musculoskeletal Study Group, International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

1999-2000 Recorder, Musculoskeletal Study Group, International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

2000-2005 Research and Grants Evaluation Committee, International Skeletal Society

2000-2002 Chair, Musculoskeletal Study Group, International Society of Magnetic Resonance in

Medicine

2001-2004 Study Group Review Committee, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

2001-2004 Workshop Committee, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

2002- Program Committee for Annual Refresher Course, International Skeletal Society

2002- Committee on Education, Subcommittee on Neuroradiology and Magnetic Resonance

2003- Public Information Advisors Network, Radiological Society of North America

2003- Program Committee for Annual Closed Meeting, International Skeletal Society

2004- Co-Chair, Program Committee for Annual Closed Meeting and Scientific Session, International Skeletal Society

2006-09 Scientific Program Committee for Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America

Memberships

1977-1984 American Chemical Society

1977- Phi Beta Kappa

1977-1984 Sigma Zi, The Scientific Research Society

1980-1995 American Medical Association

1984-1988 American College of Physicians

1987- Massachusetts Medical Society

1987- Suffolk District Medical Society

1987- Radiological Society of North America

1991- American College of Radiology

1991- Massachusetts Radiological Society

1991- New England Roentgen Ray Society

1991-1993 Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1991-1993 Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

1992- American Roentgen Ray Society

1993- International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

1994- Connective Tissue Oncology Society

1996- Society of Skeletal Radiology

1995- International Skeletal Society

2003 Society of Computed Body Tomography and Magnetic Resonance

Journal Referee:

1992- American Journal of Roentgenology

1992- Journal of Digital Imaging

1993- Radiology, reviewer

1995 Editor's Recognition Award

1996 Editor's Recognition Award

1993- The Journal of Nuclear Medicine

1993- The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

1993- Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1995- Arthritis & Rheumatism

1997- Journal of Orthopaedic Research

2001- Skeletal Radiology

2004- Cancer

Major Research Interests:

1. Magnetic resonance arthrography in joint disorders

2. Quantitative imaging in inflammatory arthritis

3. MR imaging and quantitative analysis of articular cartilage

4. Treatment response following selective nerve root block

5. CT, MR and PET imaging of skeletal and soft tissue neoplasms

6. High-field (>1.5T) MR in spine and joints

7. Interventional joint and spine injections, outcome analysis

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Original and peer-reviewed reports (selected from more than 34):

1. Rosenberg AE, O'Connell JX, Ojemann, Plata MJ, Palmer WE. Giant cystic arachnoid granulations: a rare cause of lytic skull lesions. Hum Pathol 1993;24:438-441.

2. Palmer WE, Brown JB, Rosenthal DI. MR arthrography of the labral-ligamentous complex of the shoulder. Radiology 1994;190:645-651.

3. Palmer WE, Caslowitz PL, Chew FS. MR arthrography of the shoulder: normal intraarticular structures and common abnormalities. AJR 1995;164:141-146.

4. Chew FS, Brown JH, Palmer WE, Kattapuram SV. CT-Guided aspiration in potentially infected total hip replacements complicated by heterotopic bone. Eur J Radiol 1995;20:72-74.

5. Palmer WE, Rosenthal DI, Schoenberg OI, Fischman AJ, Simon LS, Rubin RH, Polisson RP. Quantification of inflammation in the wrist using gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging and PET with 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Radiology 1995;196:647-655.

6. Concannon MJ, Duffy FJ, Palmer WE, May JW. Late rupture of a flexor tendon after electrical injury: tendon localization using magnetic resonance imaging. Ann Plast Surg 1996;36:84-87.

7. Rosol MS, Cohen GL, Halpern EF, Chew FS, Kattapuram SV, Palmer WE, Dupuy DE, Rosenthal DI. Vertebral morphometry derived from digital images. AJR 1996;167:1545-1549.

8. Dupuy DE, Palmer WE, Rosenthal DI. Vertebral fluid collection associated with vertebral collapse. AJR 1996;167:1535-38.

9. Panicek DM, Gatsonis C, Rosenthal DI, Seeger LL, Huvos AG, Moore SG, Caudry DJ, Palmer WE, McNeil BJ. CT and MR imaging in local staging of primary malignant musculoskeletal neoplasms: report of the Radiology Diagnostic Oncology Group. Radiology 1997;202:237-46.

10. Palmer WE, Levine SM, Dupuy DE. Fracture Detection on MR Images: Association with Marrow Edema and Mechanism of Joint Injury. Radiology 1997;204:395-401.

11. Rosenthal DI, Chew FS, Dupuy DE, Kattapuram SV, Palmer WE, Yap RM, Levine LA. Computer-based speech recognition as a replacement for medical transcription. AJR 1998;170(1):23-25.

12. McGibbon CA, Palmer WE, Krebs DE. A general computing method for spatial cartilage thickness from co-planar MRI. Med Eng Physics 1998;20(3):169-176.

13. Palmer WE, Kuong SJ, Elmadbouh HM. MR imaging of myotendinous strain. AJR 1999;173(3):703-9.

14. Kaushik S, Erickson JK, Palmer WE, Winalski CS, Kilpatrick SJ, Weissman BN. Effect of chondrocalcinosis on the MR imaging of knee menisci. AJR 2001;177(4):905-909.

15. Tingart MJ, Apreleva M, Lehtinen JT, Capell B, Palmer WE, Warner JJ. Magnetic resonance imaging in quantitative analysis of rotator cuff muscle volume. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2003;415:104-10.

16. Cohen SP, Barna SA, Larkin TM, Palmer WE, Hecht AC, Stojanovic MP. Lumbar discography: a comprehensive review of outcome series, diagnostic accuracy and principles. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2005;30(2):163-83.

17. Torriani M, Thomas BJ, Halpern EF, Jensen ME, Rosenthal DI, Palmer WE. Intramyocellular lipid quantification: repeatability with 1H MR spectroscopy. Radiology 2005;236(2):609-14.

18. Kassarjian A, Yoon LS, Belzile E, Connolly SA, Millis MB, Palmer WE. Triad of MR arthrographic findings in patients with cam-type femoroacetabular impingement. Radiology 2005; in press.

19. Fritz LB, Oeullette HA, Fritz TA, Kassarjian A, Palmer WE. Cystic changes at the supraspinatus and infraspinatus insertion sites: association with age and rotator cuff disorders in 238 patients. Radiology 2006; in press

20. Schumacher HR, Becker MA, Edwards NL, Palmer WE, MacDonald PA, Palo W, Joseph-Ridge N. Magnetic resonance imaging in the quantitative assessment of gouty tophi. Int J Clin Pract 2006;60(4):408-414.

Editor contributions:

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sports Medicine, Part I. Top Magn Reson Imag 2003;14(1).

2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sports Medicine, Part II. Top Magn Reson Imag 2003;14(2).

Reviews (Selected from more than 25):

1. Palmer WE. MR imaging and MR arthrography of the shoulder. ARRS categorical course syllabus: practical MR imaging. 1997; 143-150.

2. Tirman PFJ, Palmer WE, Feller JF. MR arthrography of the shoulder. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 1997;5(4):811-39.

3. Coumas JM, Palmer WE. Knee arthrography: evolution and current status. Radiol Clin North Am 1998;36(3):620-44.

4. Palmer WE. MR imaging of the shoulder: labrum and instability. RSNA categorical course syllabus in diagnostic radiology: body MR. 1999; 271-278.

5. Bencardino JT, Palmer WE. Imaging of hip disorders in athletes. In: Steinbach LS, ed. Imaging of sports-related injuries. Radiol Clin North Am 2002;40(2):267-287.

6. Palmer WE, Bencardino JT. Topics in magnetic resonance imaging: sports medicine. Top Magn Reson Imag 2003;14(2):113.

7. Palmer WE. Magnetic resonance imaging of knee trauma: biomechanical approach. Top Magn Reson Imag 2003;14(1):161-178.

8. Palmer WE. Myotendinous unit: MR imaging diagnosis and pitfalls. RSNA categorical course syllabus in diagnostic radiology: musculoskeletal imaging. 2003; 271-278.

9. Kassarjian A, Bencardino JT, Palmer WE. MR imaging of the rotator cuff. In: Zanetti M, Hodler J, eds. MR Imaging of the Shoulder. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2004;12(1):39-60.

10. Elentuck D, Palmer WE. Direct magnetic resonance arthrography. Eur Radiol 2004;14(11):41-55.

11. Clement JP, Kassarjian A, Palmer WE. Synovial inflammatory processes in the hand. Eur J Radiol 2005;56:307-318.

12. Nelson EN, Kassarjian A, Palmer WE. MR imaging of sport-related groin pain. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2005;13(4):727-742.

13. Chaipat L, Palmer WE. Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging. Clin Sports Med 2006; in press

Chapters:

1. Palmer WE. MR Imaging of the Knee. In: Thrall JH, ed. Current Practice in Radiology (1st ed). Philadelphia: B.C. Decker Inc. (Mosby-Year Book), 1992:339-343.

2. Palmer WE, Kattapuram SV. Technical Aspects of CT Arthrography of the Shoulder. In: Sartoris DJ, ed. Advanced Imaging of the Shoulder. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995:33-44.

3. Hayes CW, Palmer WE. Soft Tissue Injury to the Shoulder: Imaging Principles. In: Sartoris, ed. Advanced Imaging of the Shoulder. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995:315-334.

4. Palmer WE. MR Arthrography of the Shoulder. In: Taveras JM, Ferrucci JT, eds. Radiology. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co., Update 2001.

5. Palmer WE, Suri, R. MR differentiation of benign versus malignant vertebral collapse. In: Castillo M, ed. Spinal Imaging: State of the Art. Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus, Inc., 2001:93-104.

6. Palmer WE. MR Arthrography of the Shoulder. In: Zlatkin MB, ed. MRI of the Shoulder (2nd ed). New York: Raven Press, 2003:280-299.

Books and Monographs:

1. Palmer WE. Monetary inducement to participate in research [dissertation]. New Haven, CT: Yale University School of Medicine, 1984. 98 p.

2. Rosenthal DI, Barboriak DP, Chew FS, Palmer WE, Rosenberg AE. Radiological Pathological Conferences of the Massachusetts General Hospital. (videodisc and text) St. Paul: Image PSL, 1992.

3. Rosenthal DI, Chew FS, Palmer WE, Barboriak DP, Rosenberg AE. Radiology: MGH Clinical Review. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1994.

4. Palmer, WE. MRI of the Musculoskeletal System. (videodisc) St. Paul: Image PSL.

Letters and Opinions:

1. Palmer WE. Prioritizing the choice of imaging modalities in evaluation of the rotator cuff. AJR 1994;163 (4):990-91.

2. Palmer WE. MR arthrography of the labral-ligamentous complex of the shoulder. Reply. Radiology 1994;190:641-43.

3. Palmer WE, Bencardino JT. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sports Medicine, Part 1. Top Magn Reson Imag 2003;14(1):1.

4. Palmer WE, Bencardino JT. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sports Medicine, Part II. Top Magn Reson Imag 2003;14(2):1.

5. Miller JC, Palmer WE, Mansfield FL, Thrall JH, Lee SI. Radiology utilization rounds of the Massachusetts General Hospital: when is imaging helpful for patients with back pain? J ACR 2006; in press.

Case Reports:

1. Palmer WE, Chew FS. Renal oncocytoma. AJR 1991;156(6):1144

2. Palmer WE, Gerard-McFarland and Chew FS. Adrenal myelolipoma. AJR 1991;156(4):724.

3. Palmer WE, Rivitz SM and Chew FS. Bilateral bronchogenic cysts. AJR 1991;157(5):950.

4. Palmer WE, Bloch SM and Chew FS. Menetrier disease. AJR 1992;158(1):62.

5. Chew FS, Barboriak DP, Palmer WE, Rosenthal DI (radiology eds.) and Rosenberg AE (pathology ed.). Radiologic-pathologic conferences of the Massachusetts General Hospital. AJR: monthly case presentations, 3/91-3/93.

Book reviews:

1. Zlatkin MB. MRI of the Shoulder. New York: Raven Press, 1991. (for: J Bone Joint Surg [AM])

2. Chan WP, Lang P, Genant HK (eds.). MRI of the Musculoskeletal System. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1994. (for: Academic Radiology)

Non-print materials:

1. Palmer WE. Musculoskeletal MRI: the knee. Massachusetts General Hospital, Magnetic Resonance Imaging 1992: video teaching course. Educational Symposia, Tampa, 1992.

2. Palmer WE. MRI of vertebral lesions: benign vs. malignant. Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroradiology: video review course. Educational Symposia, Tampa, 2000.

3. Palmer WE. Shoulder MRI: labrum, GHLs and instability. Radiologic Study Program (slides, audio tape), RSNA Learning Center (RSP 754). RSNA, 2000.

4. Palmer WE. Shoulder MRI: labrum, GHLs and instability. Radiologic Study Program (video), RSNA Learning Center (RSP 754). RSNA, 2000.

5. Palmer WE. MRI of pains and strains: muscle and tendon injury. Radiologic Study Program (video), RSNA Learning Center (RSP 910). RSNA, 2003.

6. Palmer WE. Hip pain in patients with normal or near normal radiographs: MR imaging and MR arthrography. Radiologic Study Program (video), RSNA Learning Center (RSP 928). RSNA, 2003.

7. Palmer WE. Vertebroplasty. RSNA On-the-Air. Radio interview, RSNA annual meeting, 2003.