Physicians who subspecialize in interventional radiology procedures know how to conduct minimally invasive medical procedures using imaging guidance. These procedures can be used for diagnostic purposes (such as a tissue biopsy) or for treatment of a medical condition. Other physicians rely on interventional radiologists for their in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available and for their diagnostic and clinical experience across all radiology specialties.
Our interventional radiologists are board certified in diagnostic radiology and have extensive training and experience in performing minimally invasive treatments. This high degree of expertise enables them conduct minimally invasive procedures that help the patient to avoid surgery. When compared to open surgery, these treatments reduce risk, decrease pain and lessen the time needed to recover from the procedure.
Working With Other Physicians
All of our radiologists work closely with other physicians and with the patient. It is important to us that we make certain communication is clear and complete among the patient, the patient’s personal physician and every other physician who may be involved with the patient.
Collaborating With the Patient and Referring Physician
The radiologist’s role varies. Much depends on the health issue, the personal or referring physician and the patient. At Radiology & Imaging, we prefer to have our radiologists as actively involved in diagnosing and considering treatment options as possible.
Interventional Radiology Services
Our interventional radiology section performs a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including:
Vascular
- Visceral (body) and peripheral (limb) angiography
- Angioplasty and stenting for peripheral vascular disease
- Thrombolysis for occlusive arterial and venous disease
- Inferior vena cava filter placement and retrieval
- Management/embolization of arterial and venous malformations
- Embolization of visceral aneurysms
- Renovascular hypertension management using renal artery angioplasty/stenting
Oncology
- Biopsies
- Fiducial marker placement to guide radiotherapy
- Placement and removal of venous access devices such as Hickman catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) and ports
- Treatment of liver and kidney cancer using transarterial chemo and radio embolization, cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation
- Treatment of advanced liver metastasis with Y-90 sirspheres.
Endocrinology
- Various venous sampling procedures including adrenal, renal, and petrosal sinus
- Dialysis access maintenance including fistulagrams and declotting of thrombosed fistulas and grafts
Urology and nephrology
- Nephrostomy catheter placement, changes and removals
- Percutaneous and renal biopsies
ENT
- Epistaxis embolization
- Bronchial artery embolization for pulmonology/ thoracic surgery in patients with hemoptysis
Collaboration with Hospital Medicine and Surgery
- Preoperative embolization of vascular bone tumors for orthopedic and neurosurgery
- Placement and management of thoracostomy, pericardial and abscess drainage catheters
- Diagnostic and therapeutic thoracenteses and paracenteses
- Placement, maintainance, and removal of enteral feeding tubes (gastrostomy and jejunostomy)
- Percutaneous biliary drainages and biopsies
- Percutaneous gallbladder drainage for patients too ill to have gallbladder surgery