Why Every Radiologist Should Visit Chicago’s International Museum of Surgical Sciences

The International Museum of Surgical Sciences is something I visited while in Chicago for RSNA 2021 during a few hours between checking out of my hotel and leaving for the airport. This museum could add “Radiological Sciences” to its name given the large amount of radiology-specific items on display.  This is a museum that radiologists, specifically, should consider visiting. Let me explain why.

During my visit I learned about Marie Curie, Wilhelm Roentgen, and Emil Grubbe (pioneer of radiation oncology). I saw a shoe-fitting fluoroscope which is something I have learned about through my father who remembers using these devices in childhood (photo below).  The museum states that the Radiological Society of North America raised concerns about the device when released. This was used until the 1970s. To read about this on Wikipedia click here.

Shoe Fitting Fluoroscope

Also display are early versions of x-ray plates (photo below), x-ray tubes (seen in the photo behind the shoe-fitting fluoroscope), and early x-ray devices (photos below).

Roentgen X-ray Plate

Early X-ray Device

Close-up of Early X-ray tube

I found this hand-written copy of Roentgen’s hand-written first-page reporting on the discovery of x-rays titled “On a New Kind of Ray” from 1895 (photo below) interesting. 

Copy of Roentgen’s Report on X-ray Discovery

There was some discussion on radiation protection. Check out this rendering of an early protective suit to shield radiation (photo below)? Is that a lead helmet? The exhibit didn’t say.

Rendering of Early X-Ray Protection Suit

I also learned about early “misplaced science” that included radium ore water containers thought to add “vigor” to drinking water. You can read more about this on Wikipedia by clicking here. Also discussed were radiation devices for cosmetic uses including hair removal. These were used until the 1940s with unfortunate induction of any cancers as a result, manifest most prevalently in the 1970s.

There were some interesting items from early anatomists. For example, stunningly detailed work by Bernard Siegfried Albinus in 1749, Tables of the Skeleton and Muscles of the Human Body in collaboration with artist Jan Wandelaar, was on display, shown below. 

It was also a privilege to learn about Hanaoka Seishū (image below), a Japanese surgeon who, in 1804, performed, according to the museum, the first known successful surgery for breast cancer, including early uses of a general anesthetic agent 40 years before this was used at Massachusetts General Hospital.  Beyond breast cancer, he also performed surgeries for inguinal hernias, bone fractures and dislocations, urinary stones, nasal polyps, glaucoma, uterine prolapse, among other procedures. He was also an early clinical trials practitioner, pioneering human clinical trials, perhaps for the first time in human history. To learn more about Hanaoka Seishū on Wikipedia click here.

 Presentation of Japan’s work on the development of ultrasound, with development of the first ultrasonic scanner in 1949, was fascinating. Many early models of ultrasound probes are on display, with one example below.  

1960s Ultrasound Probe

Beyond radiology-specific items, there are also many other interesting and bizarre items pertinent to medicine and surgery, to include an impressive collection of calculi of all sorts, various early surgical instruments, including many early orthopedic surgery contraptions.  One also leaves the museum with an absolutely profound appreciation of and gratitude for general anesthesia which, unfortunately, was developed far after many surgical techniques were pioneered, to include limb amputation. 

RSNA receives several shout-outs within the museum.  I personally believe the museum should reach out more to visiting radiologists at RSNA as the collection of radiology-specific items on display is impressive. The history of innovation depicted in the museum goes hand-in-hand to add perspective to the newest innovations presented at the RSNA meetings.  In my opinion, this museum is definitely a place radiologists should consider visiting.

Note: Neither Dr. Covington nor The Radiology Review has any financial relationship with this museum. Dr. Covington did not receive any discount on admission for posting this article. This is not a sponsored posting.

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