Interventional radiology is a highly specialized field within radiology in which minimally invasive techniques and image guidance are used in treating patients. An interventional radiologist combines competence in imaging, image-guided minimally invasive procedures, and periprocedural patient care to diagnose and treat benign and malignant conditions of the thorax (excluding the heart), abdomen, pelvis, and extremities. Therapies include embolization, angioplasty, stent placement, thrombus management, drainage, and ablation, among others.
Medical imaging commonly used by vascular and interventional radiologists:
- CT including CT angiography
- Digital subtraction angiography
- Fluoroscopy
- MRI including MR Angiography
- Plain radiographs
- Ultrasound
Interventional radiology exams and procedures include:
Oncologic procedures
- Microwave ablation of liver, lung and bone tumors
- Cryoablation of kidney tumors
- Chemo-Embolization (TACE) and bland embolization of liver tumors and metastasis
- Y90 Radio-Embolization (Sirsphere & Therasphere) for liver tumors and liver metastasis
- Percutaneous placement of fiducial markers for external beam radiation
Vascular access procedures
- Mediport insertion and removal for chemotherapy administration
- Endovascular revision of poorly functioning/ non-functioning mediports
- PICC and tunneled central venous line placement
General Interventional procedures
- Image guided percutaneous biopsies
- Abscess drain placement
- Post traumatic embolization from trauma
Dialysis procedures
- Treatment of clotted or malfunctioning Dialysis fistulas and grafts
- Tunneled dialysis catheter placement
Gastrointestinal procedures
- Cholangiogram
- Biliary drains and stents
- Cholecystostomy drain placement
- Embolization of GI bleeds such as those associated with ulcers
- Gastrostomy (G tubes) tube for feeding beyond the mouth and esophagus
- Gastrojejunostomy (GJ tubes) tube placement for feeding beyond the stomach
- Mesocaval shunt placement for management of complications from cirrhosis
- TIPS creation (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) for management of complications from cirrhosis
- Paracentesis
- Peritoneal pleurex catheter placement for self-management of ascites
- Denver Shunt placement for long term management of ascites
Genitorurinary procedures
- Percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement
- Percutaneous ureteral stent placement
- Conversion of nephrostomy tube to internalized ureteral stent
- Percutaneous retrieval of ureteral stents
- Renal biopsy
- Cyroablation of kidney tumors
Neuro and spine Procedures
- Thrombectomy and catheter directed lysis of cerebral clot (acute stroke)
- Carotid artery stenting for stenosis
- Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty for spinal fractures
- Spinal epidural injection for pain
- Facet and celiac plexus block for pain
- Sacroiliac and joint injection for pain
Venous procedures
- Central Venous Recanalization and Reconstruction of veins in the chest, abdomen and pelvis
- IVC filter placement to prevent pulmonary embolism
- Complex IVC filter retrieval
- Venous ablation and phlebectomy for treatment varicose veins and swelling from venous insufficiency
- Diagnostic venography
- Balloon venoplasty and stent placement for occluded and/or compressed veins such as in May-Thurner Syndrome
- Varicocele embolization for pain and infertility in men
- Thrombolysis/ thrombectomy for DVT (clots in the legs)
Cardiothoracic procedures
- Chest tube placement
- Thoracentesis
- Pleurex catheter placement for self-management of recurrent effusion
- Lung biopsy
- Microwave ablation of lung tumors
- Pleurodesis of recurrent pleural effusions
- Diagnostic Pulmonary artery angiography
- Catheter directed thrombolysis (delivery of clot busting medication) for pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Mechanical thrombectomy (suction removal clots) for pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Thoracic Duct Embolization for chylous effusion
Arterial interventions
- Diagnostic Angiography
- Atherectomy, Angioplasty and Stent placement for opening of narrowing in leg arteries (peripheral vascular disease and atherosclerosis)
- Renal Artery Stenting for hypertension
- Thrombolysis & Thrombectomy of arterial clot including occluded leg stents and bypass graft
Women’s Health
- Uterine fibroid embolization for pain and heavy bleeding
- Embolization of pelvic varices to treat Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
- Fallopian Tube Recanalization for infertility
