Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology (IR) is the use of radiology, image guidance, to perform minimally invasive procedures for diagnostics and treatments. Doctors can now do remarkable things from within the blood vessels of your body.

How Interventional Radiology Works

By using radiology images, physicians are able to insert a thin plastic tube—called a catheter—into your body. With the catheter in place, physicians can take samples of tissue or expand constricted veins or arteries. They can place stents—small tubes—that will allow for return blood flow to the legs or brain. They can even place chemotherapy directly into a cancer tumor and increase the effectiveness of the medicine without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. This is all done without making surgical incisions to reach the diagnostic or treatment area.

Types of Interventional Radiology

Different types of interventional radiology are offered at specific imaging center locations, some include:

Breast Care
Provided by the MemorialCare Breast Centers

• Needle Biopsy
• Pre-op Needle Localization
• Stereotactic Core Biopsy
• Ultrasound Guided Core Biopsy & Fine Needle Aspiration

Cancer Care

• Chemoembolization

Gynecology Care

• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – Uterine Fibroids Treatment

Heart and Vascular Care

• Angiography (Angio)
  Provided by Heart & Vascular Care
• Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting
  Provided by Heart & Vascular Care
• Cerebral Angiography
  Provided by Heart & Vascular Care
• Coronary Angiography
  Provided by Heart & Vascular Care
• Deep Venous Thrombosis
• Laser Vein Ablation – Varicose Vein Treatment
• Perpheral Vascular Disease
  Provided by Heart & Vascular Care
• Varicoceles
• Vascular Access Procedures
• Venous Disease

More Interventional Radiology

• Arthrography (X-ray of the Joints)
• Biliary Drainage
• Gastrostomy (Feeding Tubes)
• Liver Disease
• Nephrostogram
• Nephrostomy
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
• Stroke
• Thrombolysis