Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiologists (IRs) use their expertise in reading X-rays, ultrasound and other medical images to guide small instruments such as catheters through the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease through the skin. These procedures are typically much less invasive and much less costly than traditional surgery.
Common Uses of Interventional Radiology
Angiography
An X-ray exam of the arteries and veins to diagnose blockages and other blood vessel problems.
Balloon Angioplasty
Opens blocked or narrowed blood vessels by inserting a very small balloon into the vessel and inflating it.
Biliary Drainage and Stenting
A stent to open up blocked ducts and allow bile to drain from the liver.
Central Venous Access
Insertion of a tube to allow patients to receive medication or nutrients directly into the blood stream or so blood can be drawn.
Chemoembolization
Delivery of cancer-fighting agents directly to the site of a tumor.
Embolization
Delivery of clotting agents directly to an area that is bleeding or to block blood flow to an aneurysm or a fibroid tumor in the uterus.
Gastrostomy Tube
Feeding tube inserted into the stomach for patients who are unable to take sufficient food by mouth.
Hemodialysis Access Maintenance
Use of angioplasty or thrombolysis to open blocked grafts for hemodialysis.
Kyphoplasty
Used to treat pain caused by vertebral compression fractures in the spine resulting from osteoporosis.
Needle Biopsy
Diagnostic test for breast, lung, thyroid and other cancers; an alternative to surgical biopsy.
Stent
A small flexible tube used to treat a variety of medical conditions.
Stent-graft
Reinforces a ruptured or ballooning section of an artery (an aneurysm) with a fabric-wrapped stent
Thrombolysis
Dissolves blood clots by injecting clot-busting drugs at the site of the clot.
Uterine Artery Embolization
A procedure of uterine arteries to stop life- threatening postpartum bleeding, potentially preventing hysterectomy. The same procedure is used to treat fibroid tumors.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
A procedure of uterine arteries to shrink painful, enlarged, benign tumors in the uterus.
Varicocele Embolization
A procedure to shrink painful, enlarged veins in a man’s scrotum. Safely relieves pain and swelling and may improve sperm quality for infertal couples.