Conditions We Treat
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Hypertension/ Hyperaldonsteronism (Adrenal Vein Sampling)
Kidney (Renal) Cancer
Lung Cancer
Liver Cancer
Pain
Pelvic Pain (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome)
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Vascular Malformations
Interventional radiology utilizes technique that involves making a small nick in the groin and, under X-ray guidance, inserting a catheter into a blood vessel that leads to the aorta. A collapsed stent-graft, also known as an endograft (a small fabric tube) is inserted through the catheter and moved to the site of the aneurysm, where it is deployed, reinforcing the aorta and creating a stronger pathway for the blood. Blood flowing through the stent-graft no longer puts pressure on the ballooning walls of the aneurysm that are outside of the graft.
Related Information:
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Stents
Hypertension/ Hyperaldosteronism (Adrenal Vein Sampling)
It is estimated that 10-15% of the 60 million Americans with high blood pressure suffer from primary hyperaldosteronism. In this condition, one or both of the adrenal glands secrete too much aldosterone, a hormone that increases blood pressure. Adrenal vein sampling is a simple and safe test that can diagnose this condition. Patients on multiple blood pressure medications and especially those with low potassium level should be tested for this condition which may be curable. Even though adrenal vein sampling requires the use of state of the art equiptment and special diagnostic expertise, it is simple and preformed with minimal sedation, is painless and results are back in 7-10 days. Most patients who are diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism can have the hyperfunctioning adrenal gland removed and be cured of their high blood pressure. The benefits are not limited to stopping the blood pressure medication or potassium pills but also significantly reducing the risk of future heart disease, heart attacks and other vascular disease such as strokes and peripheral vascular disease.
Kidney (Renal) Cancer
If the kidney cancer is sufficiently small (usually less than 4 cm) Interventional Radiology offers percutaneous ablation. This method treats cancer without surgery and allows the patient quicker and safer recovery compared to surgery. The probe is advanced via a tiny hole on the skin and under imaging guidance placed in the tumor. The tumor is frozen (cryoablation) to -40 C and killed.
Related Information:
Tumor Ablation
Lung Cancer
When patients come to Interventional Radiology for treatment of their lung cancer it is because surgery has been deemed too risky or because the patient does not wish to undergo major surgery. Radiofrequency ablation (burning) of the lung cancer can be achieved by inserting a probe into the tumor under CT guidance. For sufficiently small cancers, complete cancer kill is possible. Both primary lung cancers as well as metastatic cancers to the lung from other organs can be treated with this method. The effectiveness of this treatment depends on the size, location and number of cancers.
Liver Cancer
Interventional Radiology offers a variety of treatment options for liver cancer. Whether primary or metastatic, liver cancer can be treated by a variety of methods that include chemoembolization, ablation, radioembolization. These methods have been shown to significantly prolong the lives of patients who have been turned away from surgery and in some cases even offer a chance for cure.
Related Information:
Chemoembolization
Pain
If a patient is suffering from significant pain Interventional Radiology can be asked to ablate the source of pain by using the same “burning” or “freezing” probes that we use in treating certain cancers. If the source of pain is localized and easily accessible with a needle then the source can be ablated and thus improve or eliminate the pain.
Related Information:
Tumor Ablation (for information on "burning" and "freezing" probes)
Pelvic Pain (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome)
Chronic pelvic pain due to ovarian vein and pelvic varices (varicose veins) is treated using nonsurgical, minimally invasive, transcatheter techniques. The diagnosis of ovarian varices is confirmed by selectively catheterizing specific veins and injecting contrast dye (i.e., performing a venogram). If varices are found on venography, they are embolized with small coils or other agents.
Related Information:
Pelvic Pain (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome)
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Diseases of the blood vessels typically are manifested as either stenoses (narrowings) or occlusions (blockages). Many of the lesions can be treated without surgery using catheters just slightly larger than those used for the diagnostic examination. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a technique in which a small balloon on a catheter is inserted across the narrowing or blockage, inflated to open the area, and removed. If the lesion does not respond well to PTA, then a small metal tube called a vascular stent, can be inserted to act as a scaffold to support the vessel. If blood clots are present, then a clot dissolving medicine called urokinase can sometimes be used ("thrombolysis") before further treatment is planned.
Related Information:
Stent Placement
Vascular Malformations
Although surgery is sometimes useful, it is usually difficult for surgeons to completely remove vascular malformations, which will return if not removed completely. A nonsurgical method of closing down the blood or lymph flow into the malformation is done by interventional radiologists, who treat patients with image guided procedures. Vascular malformations are treated by embolization.
Related Information:
Vascular Malformations
For more information regarding any of these conditions, you can visit the Society of Interventional Radiology's (SIR) website at http://sirweb.org/patients/
