Diagnostic Imaging | Radiology | MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Radiologist

A radiologist, a doctor who is a specialist in radiology, leads the radiology team. Radiologists work side-by-side with primary care physicians, pediatricians, obstetricians, surgeons, oncologists and many other doctors to determine the best treatment plan for each patient.

The radiologists at Maine Medical Center (MMC) are members of Spectrum Medical Group, Maine's largest physician managed multi-specialty group practice. MMC has chosen to work with Spectrum Medical Group because of their focus on providing compassionate, quality, cost-effective care to all patients at MMC. All Spectrum radiologists are board certified and have substantial subspecialization within the field of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology in such areas as neuroradiology, cardiovascular and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and computerized axial tomography.
 

Radiology Technologists

Radiology technologists work with doctors and patients to conduct a number of imaging tests, the results of which are then read by a radiologist. MMC's technologists are highly trained and dedicated to educating patients, answering questions, and making patients feel comfortable during a procedure. All radiology technologists are certified nationally by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and are licensed by the State of Maine.

Radiation therapy is defined as the use of high energy X-rays or particles to treat disease. The goal of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells while sparing the normal surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy may be used alone or combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy and/or surgery. Learn more about radiation oncology.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) represents a relatively new approach to treating fibroids. UFE is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat symptomatic fibroids by blocking the supply of blood to the fibroids. Using angiographic techniques similar to those used in heart catheterization, the interventional radiologist places a catheter into the uterine arteries. By injecting small particles into the arteries, the arteries feeding the fibroids are blocked. By cutting off the blood supply, the fibroids shrink and symptoms are resolved.

Who is eligible for uterine fibroid embolization?
Women with symptomatic fibroids are candidates for UFE. Any woman, regardless of the size and location of her fibroids, can undergo UFE. Some women have been able to achieve pregnancy after having UFE. UFE offers a minimally invasive option to surgery.

What is the pre-procedure evaluation?
An interventional radiologist sees the patient for consultation at the hospital. During the evaluation, patients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as about expected results.

How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is done in the hospital with an overnight stay after the procedure. The patient is sedated using local anesthesia. In general the procedure takes 1 to 1½ hours. Initially a needle is used to enter the femoral artery. The catheter is advanced over the branch of the aorta and into the uterine artery on the opposite side of the puncture. A second arterial catheter is then placed from the opposite femoral artery to the other uterine artery. Using an angiogram, the uterine arteries are located. After the arteriogram, particles of poly vinyl alcohol are injected into the artery until blood flow to the fibroids stops. The catheter is then re-positioned into the other uterine artery and the process is repeated. After the procedure, the patient is on bed rest for 6 hours to allow the puncture site to heal sufficiently.

What are the results?
The expected average reduction in the volume of fibroids is 50% in three months, with reduction in the overall uterine volume of 35%. This reduction may be greater in some patients and less in others. Bleeding symptoms usually resolve immediately.

What are the risks of UFE?
Complications are anticipated in less than 3% of patients. Serious possible complications include injury to the uterus from decreased blood supply or infection. Hysterectomy to treat either of these complications occurs in less than 1% of patients. The chance of other significant complications is less than 1%. As the outcome of pregnancy following UFE is unknown, we do not recommend the procedure for women who plan to have children.

What is the post-procedural care?
Each woman undergoing the procedure experiences varying degrees of pelvic pain and discomfort. The discomfort is most severe in the first 24 hours and women are given medication to control their discomfort. After an initial period of 6-8 hours bed rest, patients with mild to moderate symptoms may be discharged. Most patients are hospitalized overnight and are discharged home the next morning. Patients are discharged home with prescriptions for both narcotic pain medication to be used as needed and ibuprofen to help control uterine cramping.

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), also called 3D mammography is the gold standard of breast imaging. DBT is very similar to a regular mammogram. The technologist will compress your breast and take images from many angles, making a layered three-dimensional image. The radiologist is then able to view the breast one thin layer at a time, almost like turning the pages in a book. This means greater detail in each image. DBT is recommended for all types of breast density, although it is especially effective for imaging dense breasts.

The benefits of DBT:

• Improved cancer detection rates, especially for invasive cancers
• The same or slightly lower x-ray does than a regular digital mammogram\
• A decrease in call-backs for more imaging

DBT is not necessary for everyone, and is not covered by all insurances, so please ask your doctor if this is right for you.