Medication Administration
Interventional radiologists reduce the number of needle sticks patients receive when undergoing cancer treatments. By placing temporary ports, chemotherapy or other medications are better delivered and blood draws are more easily performed. Also, Interventional Radiologists may use lumbar punctures to administer medication or assess disease status.
Mediport Placement
A mediport is a small, round device that is placed beneath the skin in the upper chest. The port device attaches to a catheter that connects to a blood vessel. Providers will be able to deliver medicine, blood products, nutrients, or fluids into the bloodstream through the mediport.
Central Venous Catheter Placement
Central venous catheter placement is a procedure where a catheter is placed into the vein using both ultrasound and fluoroscopy. There are many different types of catheters that have different purposes. Central venous catheters can be used to deliver medications, withdraw blood, or perform dialysis.
Lumbar Punctures
A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is when a needle is inserted between two lumbar vertebrae to remove a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and brain to protect them from injuries. Lumbar punctures are done to help diagnose several serious infections, cancers of the spinal cord or brain, and other disorders of the central nervous system. Occasionally lumbar punctures into the cerebrospinal fluid are used to inject chemotherapy medications.
Cancer Diagnosis
Interventional Radiologists use image-guided technologies and biopsies to aid in diagnosing patients with cancer. The most common locations we diagnose cancer with image-guided technologies are lung, liver, kidney, lymph nodes and bone cancers. The image-guided techniques provide us with the insight to determine the proper method to locate and sample tissues and tumors.
Imaging Technologies
Imaging Guidance
Interventional radiology uses imaging technologies such as x-rays, fluoroscopies, MRIs, ultrasounds, and CT scans as guidance for diagnosis and treatment.
X-Ray Imaging
X-ray imaging creates pictures using a small amount of electromagnetic. Doctors use the x-ray in interventional radiology to monitor patients before and after procedures.
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a real time x-ray to monitor and guide the positioning of probes, needles and catheters. A contrast “dye” is often used to guide us through the body.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce pictures of the body for the doctors to diagnose, monitor, and treat health conditions in order for doctors to biopsy legions that aren’t visible with other imaging technologies.
Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound is used to create images of the body including tendons, muscles, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. Interventional Radiologists use real time ultrasounds to guide needles and probes to appropriate locations.
Computerized Tomography (CT)
Computerized tomography, often referred to as a CT scan, is an imaging technique that uses multiple x-rays at different angles to reconstruct the internal structures of the body to enable safe insertion of needles and probes avoiding vital structures like blood vessels and vital organs.
Image Guided Biopsy
An image guided biopsy includes the use of technology as guidance, either an ultrasound or CT scan, to help the collection of samples. The imaging allows the doctor to more accurately determine the exact location of the tissue that needs to be sampled and whether it is benign, malignant, or infectious. The imaging allows the doctor to safely insert needles. Through image guided biopsies, doctors are able to sample major organs such as the liver, kidneys, and thyroid.
Fluid Management
Fluid is drained to ease pain and reduce discomfort for the patient. It can also be tested to diagnose various diseases, cancers or infections throughout the body. Specifically, there is a focus on draining fluid from the pleural space around the lungs (thoracentesis) or from the abdomen (paracentesis).
Paracentesis
Paracentesis is a procedure to remove access fluid from one’s abdomen. A needle is used to collect a small sample of fluid to test for disease, cancer or infection. While the drained fluid can be tested, it is more commonly used to evacuate fluid due to pain or discomfort. The fluid will be drained by attaching a tube to the needle and draining the fluid into a container. During this procedure, the patient is awake but a local anesthetic is applied to the area where the needle will be inserted.
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a procedure that takes place for the purpose of removing fluid from the pleural space that surrounds the lungs. It is performed by inserting a needle in between the thin, double-layered membrane that protects the lung and the inner chest wall to drain the excess fluid in that area. There is usually a small amount of fluid within the double-layer membrane, but when there is excess fluid, the individual will begin to experience chest pain, shortness of breath or discomfort. This can be used to diagnose many conditions including heart and liver disease, cancers, and various fungal, viral or bacterial infections.
Tunneled Pleural Catheters
Tunneled catheters offer patients who experience recurring fluid build-up the ability to drain fluid on a regular schedule from home to avoid repeated hospital visits.
Tunneled Pleural Catheter: A tunneled pleural catheter is used to drain fluid from around the patient’s lungs.
Tunneled Peritoneal Catheter: A tunneled peritoneal catheter is used to drain fluid from the patient’s abdomen.
Tunneled Peritoneal Catheter
Tunneled catheters offer patients who experience recurring fluid build-up the ability to drain fluid on a regular schedule from home to avoid repeated hospital visits.
Tunneled Pleural Catheter: A tunneled pleural catheter is used to drain fluid from around the patient’s lungs.
Tunneled Peritoneal Catheter: A tunneled peritoneal catheter is used to drain fluid from the patient’s abdomen.
Tumor Treatment
To treat tumors, we use a process known as ablation to eliminate tumors without surgery. In addition to bone tumors, ablation is used to treat tumors in the liver, kidney, adrenal glands, or lungs. There are several types of ablation we use:
Cryoablation
Cryoablation is a process that destroys masses or tumors through a process of freezing these areas. The mass or tumor is located with a CT or ultrasound imaging. A thin needle is then inserted through the skin into the mass. This needle is pumped with an incredibly cold gas which freezes and kills cells in the mass or tumor.
Microwave Ablation
Microwave Ablation (MWA) uses a CT scan to guide a small needle or probe to the mass or tumor in question. When the needle is inserted into the mass, it sends out microwaves that heat and eliminate areas of the tumor.
