Interventional Services Procedures
Our interventional radiologists use image guidance to perform a list of non-surgical treatments for patients. From uterine fibroid embolization and deep vein thrombosis all the way to the most innovative cancer treatments, our specialized radiologists are highly skilled and committed to providing top-level patient care.
Request More Information
As vascular experts, interventional radiologists treat atherosclerosis, “hardening of the arteries,” throughout the body. In some patients, atherosclerosis, specifically in the carotid artery in the neck, can lead to ischemic stroke. In addition to diagnosing and treating those at risk for stroke, interventional radiologists use their expertise in imaging, angioplasty and stenting to treat those having an acute stroke.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Treatment Deep Vein Thrombosis is a serious medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the body’s major deep veins (typically in the legs or pelvis), leading to blockage of blood flow. The result is significant discomfort and risk of serious health complications, like pulmonary […]
People with certain diseases or medical conditions sometimes require that tubes be placed into the body so that they can receive medications or nutrients directly into the blood stream or gastrointestinal system, or so blood can be drawn. Once, surgery was required to insert these tubes, but today these procedures can be done without surgery by an interventional radiologist.
Patients with chronic renal failure need regular Hemodialysis that performs the kidney’s job of ridding the body of toxic waste products, and to maintain fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance. One of the greatest challenges facing patients and their doctors is keeping the vascular access graft open for dialysis. Most patients with chronic renal failure receive dialysis using synthetic bridge grafts made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). These tend to clot or malfunction, decreasing reliable access for life-sustaining dialysis and causing considerable morbidity, discomfort and inconvenience for dialysis patients.
Patients may be diagnosed with an abnormal soft tissue mass or fluid collection that needs sampling for evaluation. An image-guided biopsy is a small sample of tissue or fluid taken from your body that can be studied in a lab to help establish the diagnosis. Image-guided biopsy lets your doctor take a sample of tissue or fluid without using surgery.
IVC Filters (Inferior Vena Cava) are used to function like a catcher’s mitt to capture blood clots, but allow normal blood to pass through and avoid pulmonary embolism. If a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism is diagnosed in a patient who cannot be anticoagulated; bleeds while anticoagulated; develops pulmonary embolism or clot progression while anticoagulated; has extremely high risk for pulmonary embolism or cannot sustain any more pulmonary embolus; then an IVC filter may be life saving.
Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty, Sacroplasty for Compression Fractures Compression fractures occur in the spine when bones and vertebrae become soft and weak. Quite often the cause is osteoporosis which is marked by weakened and brittle bones and typically results in height loss and spine curvature. This kind of stress on the bones can cause painful compression fractures […]
Liver Cancer Treatment Surgery is often not an option for liver cancer, and chemotherapy can sometimes be ineffective. Minimally invasive interventional oncology treatments are a viable option for many cases of liver cancer, as well as kidney and lung cancer. These treatments can preserve the affected organ by delivering targeted treatments that can attack the […]
Nephrostomy is a procedure that creates an artificial passage (opening) in the kidney to allow urinary drainage. Once the passage is created a catheter, a small flexible, rubber tube, will be put in place for the drainage and a drainage bag connected to the catheter for collection. This can be a temporary or permanent solution depending on the situation.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Treatment Pelvic congestion syndrome, or PCS, results from pelvic venous insufficiency (PVI), where the pelvic veins become enlarged (similar to varicose veins that are common in the lower legs). With PVI, pelvic varicose veins bulge and stretch, causing chronic pelvic pain and a sensation of heaviness in the lower pelvis. Pelvic Congestion […]
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs become narrowed or clogged due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque. The disease limits blood flow to the tissues of the legs, which can cause pain with exertion. Also referred to as […]
Thoracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the space between your lungs and chest wall. Fluid may have built up in this area because of infection, inflammation, heart failure, or cancer.
Paracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from your abdomen. The fluid buildup causes your abdomen to swell. Fluid may have built up in this area because of infection, inflammation, injury, or conditions like cirrhosis and cancer.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is the blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs, ultimately eliminating the oxygen supply causing heart failure. This can take place when a blood clot from another area of the body, most often from the legs, breaks free, enters the blood stream and gets trapped in the lung’s arteries.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment option, which implements localized treatment to kill tumor cells with heat while preserving the healthy surrounding tissue. Interventional radiologist use image guidance, which enables them to perform radiofrequency ablation directly into the cancerous tumor. Due to the localized nature of this treatment, RFA does not have any systemic side effects. Radiofrequency ablation can be performed without affecting the patient’s overall health and most patients can resume normal daily activity within a few days.
Renovascular Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common disease that is often associated with atherosclerosis, hardening and narrowing of the arteries.
There are several types of spinal injections, often referred to as nerve blocks or blocks. They may be used for both pain relief and diagnostic purposes. Spinal injections are usually performed using a live x-ray (fluoroscopy) for guidance. Common spinal injections include: Epidural Steroid Injection, Facet Injection, Selective Nerve Root Block, Sacroiliac Joint Block, Celiac Plexus Block and Intercostal Nerve Block.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Uterine Fibroids are the most common form of noncancerous uterine tumors, affecting 25 – 40% of American women. While not life-threatening, fibroids can cause significant discomfort and heavy menstrual bleeding. Fortunately, hysterectomy is no longer the only option. Upstate Carolina Radiology’s interventional radiologists can perform a minimally invasive procedure called Uterine […]
A Varicocele is a varicose vein of the testicle and scrotum that may cause pain, testicular atrophy (shrinkage) or fertility problems. Veins contain one-way valves that work to allow blood to flow from the testicles and scrotum back to the heart. When these valves fail, the blood pools and enlarges the veins around the testicle in the scrotum to cause a varicocele.
