Surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists, and cardiologists literally know the main scope of a doctor, butRadiology Specialist, some people may be confused and unfamiliar with it.
What exactly are the responsibilities of a specialist radiologist? What parts does the diagnostic radiology department engage in? In addition to answering the above questions one by one, Dr. Shum Chenghui also analyzed different breast examination methods in detail
3 major areas of radiologists
Radiology specialist Sham Cheng-hui pointed out that the diagnostic radiology department is not familiar to people. One of the reasons is that general diagnostic radiologists have few opportunities to come into contact with patients except for ultrasound and interventional treatments. However, in fact, patient X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),positron scan (PET Scan), etc. are all within the scope of the diagnostic radiology department, which assists other doctors in diagnosing diseases. "After patients undergo the above examinations, they need diagnostic radiologists to explain the meaning of the images and then assist other doctors in making a correct clinical diagnosis."
Interventional Measures
The second priority is interventional measures to save patients' lives. For example, he said, if a patient is unable to stop due to acute hemoptysis, catheters and wires can be led along the patient's thigh artery to the position of the bleeding blood vessel, and some particles can be injected to stop the bleeding. In addition, the cause of acute bleeding in some liver cancers may be that the tumor is so large that it bursts. Catheter wires are also used to inject particles to the bleeding location in the liver to stop the bleeding.
In addition, for bile duct obstruction and ureteral obstruction, drainage can be placed in the patient's body to drain bile or urine out of the body, greatly easing the patient's condition.
There are also cancer patients whose tumors block the main bile duct and bile cannot be discharged, causing jaundice. In pancreatic cancer patients, the tumor squeezes the bile duct, causing bile to accumulate in the liver. The patient will develop jaundice, and physical functions such as coagulation index and liver function will decrease. "We will help him put a drainage tube in the bile duct to drain the bile. After the body recovers, the patient will have the opportunity to continue to receive relief."
Quick pain relief for osteoporosis spine collapse
Many people suffer from osteoporosis. In severe cases, the spine can collapse, causing the patient to feel unstoppable pain. At this time, diagnostic radiologists and other specialists can inject bone cement into the patients at the collapsed location to immediately relieve their pain. "Some patients were so painful that they could only lie in bed. After the injection of bone cement, the pain disappeared and they could get out of bed and walk around immediately. The results could be seen within an hour." This kind of immediate improvement in the patient's condition in a short period of time is what brings him satisfaction as a radiologist.
Get immediate treatment
On the other hand, radiology specialists will also provide immediate treatment, one of which is intussusception. This disease mostly occurs in children around 3 years old and is mostly benign. The condition is that the small intestine is inserted into the large intestine. The cause is an acute viral infection, which can easily cause accelerated intestinal peristalsis and swollen intra-abdominal lymphoid tissue. When intestinal peristalsis occurs, the small intestine can easily be inserted into the large intestine. The diagnostic radiologist will place the throat tube in the patient's anus and pump air into it to distend the intestines and reduce the intussusception, and the symptoms will be resolved.
"This is a common disease in children, but clinically, men in their 30s have also seen intussusception. Adults with this condition often have problems, such as tumors, benign lipomas, etc. A 30-year-old man has been seen with intussusception. After testing, he was confirmed to have colorectal cancer."
How to choose breast examination
Currently,breast examinationsmainly include mammography and ultrasound scanning, which are frequently performed by radiologists. Hong Kong recommends that women over the age of 40 undergo mammography examinations every one to two years for early detection of breast cancer.
Dr. Shum Cheng-fai pointed out that mammography should be combined with ultrasound in Oriental women to achieve better results and more comprehensive detection of cancer. "Because the breasts of Oriental women are denser, the breasts themselves are in the form of network branches, all focusing on the nipple. In 2D mammography, the breasts will overlap, which may cover the tumor. The newer 3D breast tomography looks at it layer by layer, like opening a book page by page. The image is clearer and more accurate. It can also be seen whether the calcification points are focused, because focused calcification points are more likely to be malignant."
Mammography plus ultrasound
He recommended a mammogram plus ultrasound because even 3D has a chance of missing traces of the tumor. "Because when some small tumors are about the same density as the mammary gland, it is possible to appear 'fish that slipped through the net.' Coupled with ultrasound scanning, it helps to enhance detection."
Some popular tests, such as ultrasound on the thyroid, breasts, upper abdomen and lower abdomen, without adding X-ray, many people will ask: what is the difference between ultrasound and mammography? Dr. Sem explained: "The difference is that looking at different categories, both see cancerous tumors, benign tumors and fibroids. Ultrasound will be better at seeing water cysts or some cancerous tumors, fibroids. Mammography is to see some small calcification points in the breast. Calcification points are divided into benign and malignant. From the mammogram, we can estimate whether these calcification points are malignant or benign.
Have family history examination earlier to 30 years
Although it is recommended that women over the age of 40 have mammograms and ultrasounds every one to two years, if they have abnormal genes in their families, he said MRIs can be done at the age of 30, which can help screen for premature breast cancer. "Unless the patient has a hard lump in the breast, it is generally not recommended to have a mammogram at age 30. First, this test has a certain amount of radiation; second, young women have denser mammary glands, tumor traces may not be found. Unless the patient carries the high-risk genes BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 related to breast cancer, early MRI is recommended. Any examination has its advantages and disadvantages, so the methods should complement each other.
As for many people who feel that the "breast clamping" process of mammography is painful, Dr. Sum said that it has improved a lot now. "It doesn't hurt when using the new 3D machine. People who have experienced it find it to be bearable and don't even feel the pain. It's not like the traditional 2D machine where everyone gets pinched and calls for help."
Vegetarian Doctor
Dr. Shum Cheng-fai has been a vegetarian for 10 years. He listed the benefits of a vegetarian diet: "A vegetarian diet can help control cholesterol. Human cholesterol comes from two sources: diet and liver production. The former is animal cholesterol. Switching to a vegetarian diet can effectively reduce the problem of high blood lipids. I have seen patients who have been vegetarian for half a year, and their abnormal levels have dropped back to normal."
He personally started a vegetarian diet because of his love for animals. He said that his cholesterol index has always been normal. After going vegetarian, his blood fat is lower than before. He feels healthier, and his mood, skin, and weight have improved. "Although I am not too heavy in terms of body weight, I personally feel a lot lighter."
In addition to vegetarianism, he reminded everyone to eat less refined foods, especially bread. "Bread ingredients include flour, sugar, and animal fat (butter or lard), which will increase blood lipids. Bread is evil, so try to eat less." He suggested eating more fresh and whole foods.
1. Specialist radiologist Shum Cheng-fai said that injecting bone cement into patients with spinal collapse caused by osteoporosis can relieve the patient's pain in a short period of time, which brings him a sense of satisfaction.
2. Computer scan CT Scan.
3.3D three-dimensional breast tomography.
4. There are different methods for performing breast examinations. Everyone’s situation is different, so you should consult a medical professional.
5. Some studies have pointed out that Westernized diets such as meat, salt, polysaccharides and high fat are associated with an increased risk of cancer such as breast cancer. Doing more exercise and following a vegetarian diet can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and other cancers.
Source:HKET