Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. During the procedure, a small catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin or wrist and guided to the prostate. Tiny particles are then injected to decrease the blood flow to the prostate, causing it to shrink naturally. PAE can improve urinary symptoms caused by BPH, such as frequent urination, urgency, and weak urine flow. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery, with a shorter recovery time and fewer complications. We work closely with your urologist to help determine if PAE is right for you.

Interventional oncology uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat cancer. Using advanced imaging, catheters and probes are guided into tumors, allowing for precise therapy directly to the cancerous tissue. Treatments include tumor ablation, which uses heat or cold to destroy cancer cells, or chemo- or radio-embolization, which blocks the blood supply to the tumor to starve it of nutrients and deliver high doses of chemotherapy or radiation to the tumor while sparing healthy tissues. These procedures are often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and can provide an effective and well-tolerated option for patients who are not candidates for surgery. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of your oncologist, hepatologist, transplant surgeon and interventional radiologist can help determine if interventional oncology may be a part of your cancer treatment plan.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and other symptoms. During the procedure, a small catheter is inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin and guided to the uterus. Tiny particles are then injected through the tube to decrease the blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink naturally.

UFE offers a shorter recovery time, less pain, and lower complications as compared to traditional surgery. It is an effective alternative to hysterectomy or myomectomy, which are surgical procedures that involve removing the uterus or fibroids. After UFE, many women experience significant improvement in their symptoms, including decreased menstrual bleeding, reduced pelvic pain, and improved quality of life. Most women are able to return to normal activities within a few days to a week after the procedure. We can help determine if UFE is right for you.

Minimally invasive musculoskeletal and pain interventions use image-guided techniques to treat a range of musculoskeletal conditions and pain without an incision. These involve the use of small needles or catheters that are inserted through the skin and guided to the affected area using imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound. They can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including back pain, joint pain, and musculoskeletal injuries. Examples include nerve blocks, which involve injecting an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication near a nerve to relieve pain, and steroid injections, which can reduce inflammation in joints or other areas of the body. Other procedures include radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to destroy nerves that transmit pain signals, and vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, which involve injecting bone cement into the spine to stabilize fractures and reduce pain. These offer several advantages over traditional surgery, including less pain, shorter recovery times, and lower risk of complications. We can help determine if one of these procedures is right for you.

Minimally invasive techniques are also used to diagnose and treat venous and vascular diseases, such as peripheral arterial disease, varicose veins & telangiectasias, deep vein thrombosis, portosystemic varices, and other conditions such as varicocele or pelvic venous congestion, or address dialysis access or vascular access issues. These procedures involve accessing veins or arteries using small incisions and specialized tools, guided by medical imaging. Balloon angioplasty or stenting is used to open narrowed or blocked arteries for peripheral arterial disease. Endovenous laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation, or sclerotherapy may be used to treat varicose veins & telangiectasias. Catheter-directed thrombolysis or thrombectomy may be used for deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Inferior vena cava filter placement and retrieval can be performed to manage lower extremity bloot clots. Embolization may be used for portosystemic varices, pelvic venous congestion or varicoceles.

These minimally invasive procedures have several advantages over traditional surgery, including shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, lower risk of complications, and less pain. Interventional radiology provides a range of safe and effective minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of vascular diseases, making it a suitable option for patients facing these conditions. We can help determine if a minimally invasive solution is right for you.

In addition to the procedures already mentioned, interventional radiologists also perform a range of other minimally invasive procedures. These may include drainage procedures, such as abscess or fluid drainage, biopsies, lymphagiography and other procedures requiring a minimally invasive or image guided approach.

Interventional radiologists may also perform procedures to treat conditions such as erectile dysfunction, perform blood sampling from specific vascular beds such as with adrenal vein sampling, or infuse specific vascular beds with tailored treatments such as in frozen shoulder, achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis or genicular artery embolization.

Prophylactic embolization of nonmalignant tumors such as AMLs, of abnormal arteriovenous fistulas or malformations, or exclusion of visceral aneurysms to prevent bleeding may also be performed via tiny catheters. In emergency situations, minimally invasive endovascular surgery may stop bleeding blood vessels, place life saving chest tubes to resolve dropped lungs, or treat pseudoaneurysms endovascularly or with direct injection of coagulants like thrombin. Interventional Radiologists may also place and manage indwelling catheters or ports for long-term intravenous access. In some cases, interventional radiologists may assist in the treatment of conditions affecting other organ systems, such as the digestive, respiratory, or genitourinary systems.

The wide range of procedures that interventional radiologists perform reflects their expertise in using imaging techniques and minimally invasive approaches to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions. We can help identify if a minimally invasive image guided treatment is a viable alternative to open surgery for you.