Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiologists are medical doctors with board certification from the American Board of Radiology. Interventional radiology is a fast-growing medical specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Using real-time images from X-ray, CT, ultrasound or MRI, interventional radiologists deliver minimally invasive, targeted treatments that result in quick recoveries.

Interventional radiology (IR) addresses many of today’s toughest medical problems, including many types of cancer, with minimal discomfort and unprecedented precision.

Why use interventional radiology?

Breakthroughs in technology and imaging have created new treatment choices for patients. If you are a candidate for open surgery, ask your doctor if there are less invasive experiences available to you. There may be a minimally invasive approach that could dramatically reduce your pain, risk and recovery time.

Diseases and Conditions

Interventional radiology procedures are performed for a wide variety of diseases and medical conditions, including:

  • Cancer (liver, bone, kidney, breast and lung)
  • Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Liver portal hypertension
  • Infertility and Pelvic pain (male or female)
  • Uterine fibroids

Minimally Invasive Treatments

Interventional radiologists perform minimally invasive, targeted treatments, including:

  • Chemoembolization and Radioembolization – Blocks blood flow to liver cancer cells
  • Image-Guided Microwave/Cryoablation – Used to kill smaller tumors
  • Prostate Artery Embolization – To help with slow urine flow, frequent urination and spare sexual function
  • Central venous access catheters – Port catheters, PICC lines and other types of IV’s
  • Intrathecal chemotherapy – Chemotherapy given directly to the spinal fluid
  • Gastrostomy (feeding) tubes – For feeding and decompression of the stomach and or intestines
  • Angioplasty and vascular stenting – Uses small mesh tubes to treat narrow or weak arteries
  • TIPS, Denver Shunt, Pleurex catheters – To treat fluid on the abdomen or chest
  • Uterine artery embolization – To treat uterine fibroids causing bleeding or bulk symptoms
  • Urinary and biliary drain placements – To treat fluid backed up in the kidney or liver
  • Inferior Vena Cava filter placement – A device to prevent blood clots from going to the lungs
  • Image-guided biopsy – For sampling of tissue for pathology to evaluate
  • Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty – Treatments of vertebral compression fractures (VCF)

How to Refer a Patient

If you think interventional radiology may be the best option for your patient, call us to schedule a physician-to-physician case review, or send us a referral form. Learn more about referring to Karmanos.

Call 1-877-KARMANOS Online Referral Form

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