Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiologists specialize in diagnostic and therapeutic minimally invasive procedures. These techniques use image guidance (i.e. x-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound) to place small catheters (spaghetti sized tubes), needles, and other devices into targeted areas of the body. Some treatment examples are:

• Injection of contrast dye into veins and arteries to diagnose vascular problems and the expansion of internal small stents with balloons (angioplasty) to fix them
• Stablizing fractures of the spine by directly injecting bone cement into broken bones
• Treating cancer using directed chemotherapy or placing a radiofrequency probe to destroy a tumor
• Using small particles to stop blood flow (embolization) to uterine fibroids in order to provide symptomatic relief
• Draining obstruction or infected fluid collections without surgery.
• Removing blood clots from patients legs and lungs
• Laser ablation of saphenous veins for treatment of varicose veins, with removal of varices and injection sclerotherapy therapy as well
• Drainage and stenting of the liver and kidneys for blockages
• Placement of portacaths for chemotherapy and other vascular access
• Treatment of dialysis grafts and fistulas and placement of dialysis catheters
• Placement and removal if Inferior vena cava filters to prevent pulmonary embolism
• Drainage of fluid form the lungs and abdomen (thoracentesis and paracentesis)
• Biopsy of tumors
• Embolization of pelvic varices in women for pelvic congestion and labial varices and in men for varicocele or varicose veins in the scrotum

RIA Radiologists with this Specialty

Other Specialties

• Body Imaging
• Breast Imaging/Mammography
• General Radiology
• Interventional Neuroradiology
• Interventional Oncology
• Musculoskeletal Radiology
• Neuroradiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Pediatric Radiology
• Ultrasound/NIVA