|
October 14, 2008
by Randy Detrick
Current Articles
Board-certified radiologist, Sandy Shultz, M.D. brings his extensive experience, skill and expertise to Lower Keys Medical Center. As both an interventional and diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Shultz is able to treat and diagnose a wide range of diseases using minimally invasive techniques under image guidance.
After graduating from George Washington University’s School of Medicine, Dr. Shultz completed an internal medicine internship at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Following the internship, he returned to George Washington University for his radiology residency. He furthered his training there with a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology. The additional training allows him to not only read diagnostic scans, but also treat a wide range of problems using imaging techniques to guide the procedures.
Dr. Shultz particularly enjoys interventional side of radiology because “it’s the area where I feel I can make the biggest differences in terms of helping patients.” He continues, “It’s better for the local community if I can provide this type of care so people don’t have to travel to Miami. My goal is to expand the scope of minimally invasive procedures here in the Keys.”
As an interventional radiologist, Dr. Shultz specializes in performing minimally invasive procedures percutaneously (through the skin), thereby eliminating the need for an open surgery. The advantages of this approach are many. Instead of a large incision, a few tiny incisions are made, through which thin needles or catheters are passed. This technique significantly reduces scarring, discomfort, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, and recovery time when compared to the open technique. These procedures are performed by using local anesthesia. By using imaging to guide the procedures, Dr. Shultz is able to plan a precise path to the internal location of interest and view his progress in real-time to make sure his placement is exactly where it should be.
Common interventional imaging methods include fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound (US). Other diagnostic imaging services offered at Lower Keys Medical Center include angiography, mammography, positron emission topography (PET scan) mammography, and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density scans.
Interventional radiology is particularly beneficial when it can reduce the need for surgery or help to reduce the morbidity from a surgical procedure. For example; if a patient has an abscess as a result of diverticulitis (common digestive disease), we can place a catheter into the pocket of infection to clear it up, so the surgeon can work in a cleaner field.
In vascular procedures, Dr. Shultz commonly uses diagnostic angiography to identify the extent of blockage in the blood vessels. If blood vessel is blocked, he might insert a balloon or stent through a small incision in the skin, and then inflate it when inside the vein or artery to mechanically widen the vessel. Known as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, this procedure is a safer, less invasive procedure than an open vascular surgery. In another type of treatment, Dr. Shultz is also experienced in vascular embolization, in which he might selectively occlude a vessel to stop uncontrolled bleeding or reduce or eliminate blood flow to a tumor.
Other areas in which Dr. Shultz has extensive experience are oncology diagnosis and treatment, renal and biliary intervention and pain management. The doctor frequently performs image-guided biopsies, as well as percutaneous oncology treatment with radiofrequency ablation to destroy a localized tumor. In biliary intervention, he places catheters to bypass obstructions in the biliary system or for drainage of fluid. Percutaneous kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are employed by Dr. Shultz to treat and stabilize a fractured vertebra, as seen in diseases such as osteoporosis or cancer. Pain management techniques include use of fluoroscopy or CT to visualize the internal structures in order to deliver pain medication to a precise location.
In addition to his extensive experience and medical expertise, Dr. Shultz genuinely cares about his patients. He says, “I’m very people-oriented and like talking to patients. I treat them like they’re my own family members.” He demonstrates this commitment by making himself accessible to his patients at any hour of the day and ensuring quick report turnaround time.
For the past fourteen years Dr. Shultz has served in supervisory roles, including Chairman of Radiology at Candler Hospital, Vice Chairman of Radiology at Brandon Regional Hospital, President of Chatham Radiologists, and Medical Director of Telfair Breast Center.
|