Interventional Radiology

Summary

Interventional Radiology is a sub-specialty of radiology which uses imaging-guided minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat a large variety of medical conditions. Interventional Radiology offers an alternative to the surgical treatment of many conditions and can even eliminate the need for hospitalization, in some cases. Interventional Radiology procedures involve the precise insertion of small specialized devices inside the body (such as catheters or guidewires) through tiny skin incisions using fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT or MRI for guidance. Patients are kept as comfortable and as pain-free as possible with local skin anesthesia and (if needed) medications by vein.

Interventional Radiology procedures are performed by South Sound Radiologists at affiliated hospitals. Below is an overview of the various procedures:

ARTERIAL (Arteries):

  • Arteriography (all non-coronary)
  • Angioplasty (PTA)/Stent placement (peripheral)
  • Angioplasty (PTA)/Stent placement (renal/visceral/subclavian)
  • Embolotherapy
  • Atherectomy (removal of plaques)
  • Thrombolysis (clot dissolution)
  • Intracranial Thrombolysis (for stroke treatment)
  • Stent Graft ts

VENOUS (Veins):

  • Venography
Angioplasty (PTA)/Stent
  • IVC Filter placement (permanent or retrievable)
  • Dialysis access interventions
  • Intravascular foreign body retrieval
  • Thrombolysis (clot dissolution)
  • TIPS (hepatic shunt) placement

VENOUS ACCESS:

  • Central Venous Catheter Placement (central lines)
  • Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)
  • Tunneled Catheters
  • Ports

GASTROINTESTIONAL (GI):

  • Gastrostomy (tube placement)
  • Transgastric jejunostomy (tube placement)

GENITOURINARY (GU):

  • Nephrostomy (tube placement)
  • Suprapubic cystostomy (tube placement)
  • Antegrade ureteral stent placement

BILIARY (Gallbladder/Bile Duct):

  • Cholangiography (gallbladder exam)
  • Cholecystostomy (for gallbladder drainage)
  • Biliary Drainage Biliary stent placement
 SPINAL PROCEDURES:

  • Epidural Steroid Injections
  • Facet Injections
  • Nerve Root Injections
  • Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation (vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, sacroplasty)

PAIN PROCEDURES:

  • Celiac Plexus Block/Neurolysis
  • Lumbar Sympathetic Block/Neurolysis
  • Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap)

BIOPSY PROCEDURES:

  • (CT/US/ Fluoroscopy guidance)
  • Thoracic/abdominal/pelvic
  • Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle, bone marrow)
  • Breast (stereotactic, vacuum assisted, ultrasound-guided, MRI-guided)
  • Head/neck Transjugular
  • Liver Biopsy

DRAINAGE PROCEDURES:

  • (CT/US/Fluoroscopic guidance)
  • Abscess/collections/cysts (including cyst ablation/pneumothorax)
  • Thoracentesis (removal of fluid from chest)
  • Paracentesis (removal of fluid from abdomen)
  • Pericardiocentesis (removal of fluid from around the heart)
  • Lumbar Puncture

ONCOLOGY PROCEDURES (tumor ablation procedures):

  • Radiofrequency Ablation
  • Cryoablation
  • Chemoembolization

FAQ

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Exam Prep & Overview

Interventional Radiology procedures are performed by South Sound Radiologists at affiliated hospitals. Patients will want to verify which hospital their referring clinician has referred them to as well as review any specific preparation required.

Patient Forms

Interventional Radiology procedures are performed by South Sound Radiologists at affiliated hospitals. Patients will want to verify which hospital their referring clinician has referred them to as well as review any specific preparation required.

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