Interventional Radiology

Abscess Drainage

Abscess drainage is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that is typically done in an outpatient setting. Since it requires only one small incision, you can expect less pain and a faster recovery compared to surgical drainage.

Arterial Embolization

Arterial Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure in which the blood supply to a tumor or an abnormal area of tissue is blocked. It is used to treat some types of liver cancer, kidney cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. Also known as Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE) it is the preferred treatment for present tumor-associated hemorrhages.

Biopsies

Our physicians offer image-guided biopsies to provide diagnostic information for cytologic or pathologic testing, without affecting adjacent structures.

Percutaneous Biliary Drainage

Percutaneous Biliary Drainage is a minimally invasive procedure where a small incision is made in the skin where a catheter is inserted. An ultrasound guides the placement of the catheter where a small stent is placed in the liver to drain the bile. The bile drains via the stent into the small bowel or a collection bag outside the body.

Percutaneous Nephrostomy

A percutaneous nephrostomy is performed when there is blockage or obstruction in the urinary system.  During the minimally invasive procedure, an X-ray and/or ultrasound is used for guidance so the Interventional Radiologist can insert a catheter into the kidney through a small incision in the skin. An external catheter is then attached to temporarily allow drainage of urine into a small bag.

Ultrasounds

An ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create a picture of organs, tissues, and other structures within the body. Unlike x-rays, ultrasounds don’t use radiation. Intravascular Ultrasounds (IVUS) feature an ultrasound transducer on an intravascular disposable catheter, which is used in Interventional Radiology procedures to monitor stenosis of vessels. 

Dialysis Access Management

Services include, but are not limited to:

  • Fistulagrams
  • Declots
  • Catheter exchanges
  • Surgical revisions
  • Placement of grafts or fistulas for access

Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty

A compression fracture occurs when the bones in the spine collapse. One of the most common causes of compression fractures is a loss of bone density. Osteoporosis causes more than 750,000 vertebral compression fractures per year.

  • Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to alleviate the pain caused by a spinal fracture, to help stabilize the bone, and to restore lost vertebral body height. A balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra, and filled with medical-grade bone cement, which strengthens and stabilizes the bone.
  • Vertebroplasty: Like kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to alleviate the pain caused by a spinal fracture, to help stabilize the bone, and to restore lost vertebral body height. With the use of a needle, medical-grade bone cement is injected directly into a vertebra.

These minimally invasive treatments are less painful and offer a quicker recovery time so you can get back to your normal activities.

Oncology

Services include, but are not limited to:

  • Biopsy
  • Embolization
  • Ablation
  • Port Placement
  • Thoracentesis
  • Paracentesis
  • Procedures for comfort and pain control

PAD Treatments

Do you have cramping, fatigue or pain in your legs when walking? Then you could have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Other symptoms may include:

  • Persistent leg pain
  • Slow-healing wounds on the feet
  • Weak pulse in legs or feet
  • Unhealthy nail and hair growth
  • On occasion, erectile dysfunction in men

Lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, exercise and smoking cessation often are the first choices for patients with early-stage PAD. Later stages may require the below treatments:

  • Angioplasty: A catheter is threaded through a blood vessel to the blocked artery and a small balloon is used to reopen it. In some cases, the insertion of a stent is required to help keep the artery open.
  • Atherectomy: A catheter is used to reach the site of the blockage. There, a small razor or laser is deployed to remove the arterial plaque.
  • Thrombolysis: A catheter is used to reach the site of the blockage and delivers a drug to dissolve the blood clot. This may sometimes require an overnight infusion.

These minimally invasive treatments are less painful and offer a quicker recovery time so you can get back to your normal activities.

Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — also called prostate gland enlargement — is a common condition as men get older. PAE offers an outpatient option for BPH that is less invasive and less painful. Symptoms of BPH include:

  • Difficulty starting or maintaining urination
  • Urinating more than 6-8x per day
  • Waking at night to urinate
  • Sensation of your bladder not emptying
  • Having sudden strong urges to urinate

PAE offers an outpatient option for BPH that is less invasive and less painful.

Benefits include:

  • Shorter recovery time when compared to regular surgery
  • Completed on an outpatient basis
  • Does not require tissue removal or manipulation through the urethra, which decreases the risk of impotence and incontinence associated with surgical treatment

It takes time for the prostate to shrink, the majority of PAE patients will see improvement from the procedure at earliest around 3-4 weeks after the procedure, with maximum improvement 3-6 months post procedure.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow within the walls of the uterus. Women with fibroids can experience daily discomfort and a disruption in their menstrual cycles. Symptoms include:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Lower back pain
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Frequent urination

UFE treatment is endorsed by the American College of Gynecology as a primary treatment for uterine fibroids. It provides a faster recovery time than surgical options, allowing for a return to normal activities in 7-10 days, compared with 6-8 weeks for a traditional hysterectomy.

There are very few complications associated with uterine fibroid embolization. In fact, more than 90% of our patients experience almost immediate relief from excessive bleeding.

Vascular Lab

  • Upper & lower extremity arteries for peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • Carotid arteries for plaque which can cause a stroke
  • Abdominal aorta to look for an aneurysm
  • Renal arteries and kidneys to look for arterial stenosis (as a cause of high blood pressure)
  • Transplanted kidneys
  • Leg veins for deep vein thrombosis as well as venous insufficiency
  • Veins in the arm for vein thrombosis