Some interesting facts about Radiologists

djmammo

This is a YouTube video made by a rad resident rebutting some commonly held misconceptions about radiologists (although some of them were true in the distant past).

AliceBastable

I wish he had spoken more about #5, describing what the different types of radiology are and what they do. But if it's part of a series, maybe he covers it elsewhere.

Spookiesmom

Interesting! Thank you.

Spoonie77

Very interesting! I had no idea Radiologists had 14 years of training and were doctors in their own right.

Thanks you for sharing this DJMammo.

edj3

I knew radiologists are medical doctors, and for sure I'd say you guys are face to face with patients a lot. Or at least my radiologists who did the biopsy or the needle insertion before the lumpectomy and of course the radiology oncologist--all of them were all up in my chest, hands on and face to face!

djmammo

edj3

My kids went to Barstow.

edj3

It's a small world! KC is an easy town to live in.

JKL2017

Very interesting, djmammo. I have been very impressed with all of the radiologists I've encountered. They found my ILC, despite the fact that my cancer could not be felt by me or any of my other doctors; they performed a very gentle biopsy, even though there was little of the tumor visible on my mammogram (most of it was hiding in the shadows); and they always review my mammograms (and take any additional films necessary) before I leave the clinic so I don't have to wait for the results. They are unfailingly polite and respectful, as well as professional. In addition, my RO is my all-time favorite doctor and has the most well-run office I've ever encountered. Personally, I can't say enough good things about radiologists! Thank you for being part of this important profession and for all the assistance you provide on BCO.

sbelizabeth

My son is an interventional radiologist. Four years of medical school, five years of a very tough residency, and an extra year in his sub-specialty of interventional radiology. He's brilliant, if I can say so as his momma. And he genuinely loves interacting with his patients.

(Edited to add) This explains the posts I've read that express doubt that a radiologist has the skills to place a port. They want a surgeon to do it. I was unaware there were people who didn't know a radiologist is a physician. Radiologists that place ports have probably done hundreds of them, and are extremely proficient at it.

djmammo

My fellowship was in IR as well. :-)

MelissaDallas

Radiologists were my favorite doctors for a short while some time ago. Multiple paracenteses, transjugular liver biopsy and insertion and retrieval of an IVC filter all within a few weeks. Not to mention the scans and breast stuff...

exbrnxgrl

I ❤️ Interventional radiologists! After two failed traditional placements of a chest tube in my side (I had a pneumothorax), I was rolled in to the IR suite and a wonderful IR inserted the chest tube (painlessly, used great drugs!) through the front of my chest. Finally, success!

djmammo

exbrnxgrl

Most ERs and others do that procedure blind. We cheat and use fluoro or other imaging to place tubes of all kinds.

exbrnxgrl

djmammo,

The chest tube insertion in the ER was brutal! The next day, in my hospital room, I leaned over the side of the bed and heard something drop on the floor. It was the chest tube! A gaggle of doctors and nurses rushed in and one of them reinserted it right then and there. Unfortunately it was still not effective so I was off to IR the next day. As they say, third times the charm!

ShetlandPony

djmammo, I think it would be useful to explain the difference between a radiologist and a radiation oncologist. I see people confuse the two quite often, no doubt because the names are similar.

Question. If the thing partially blocking my bile duct is cancer, as we suspect, could some sort of radioactive bead placed by an IR be part of the treatment plan? I mean, is this something that is sometimes done, or just a wacky idea I came up with?

Christinadukie

very informative

djmammo

S Pony

Diagnostic Radiology does all the imaging and the IR. Radiation Oncology does radiation therapy for cancer, no imaging

I have actually done that procedure when I was a fellow. Radiation Oncology gave us a very small radioactive source to place in the bile duct to shrink a cholangiocarcinoma. Not sure if it’s still done these days.

Doubting-cw

Hi Dj,

My radiologist found my lesion and showed the film from previous mamo. I could see a very slight difference but honestly they looked the same to me. She took time with me and explained the density of my breast being the reason it wasn't detected by myself (I always check in the shower) or my GYN who gave the usual exam and pap just a few weeks prior. It was the size of a pea.

I'm so thankful it was found before I could feel it. I did rads and didn't have problems except the redness and a deep tired feeling that is gone now (finished 6/6/19).

I have a newfound appreciation for radiologists and radiology in general. If the lump was missed it would still be growing until it's found much larger and in my nodes. Oh and the rad techs were the best!

ShetlandPony

Yes, I know the difference between radiology and radiation oncology but see so many folks who confuse or conflate the two.

I may be about to find out about the bile duct radiation. I’ll let you know. I’m at a NCCN center so there should be someone there who does the latest thing.

djmammo

ShetlandPony

Here's a good article on the subject with imaging: Intraluminal brachytherapy