Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive way to directly treat
affected areas through image guidance. The doctors and staff at St. Joseph
Medical Center are experts in helping you achieve lower risks, less pain
and shorter recovery times compared to major surgery.
Reducing Risk for Strokes
The carotid arteries in your neck supply your brain with blood and oxygen.
If these arteries become clogged due to excess cholesterol, strokes can occur.
Our interventional radiologists perform a procedure called carotid artery
stenting in which a small tube (a stent) is placed inside the narrowing
artery. This opens and strengthens the artery to prevent the blockage
from reoccurring. Stenting is an alternative to conventional surgery and
avoids trauma to nearby nerves in the neck. The procedure is performed
without general anesthesia and the patient usually goes home after just
one overnight hospital stay.
A Faster Recovery for Fibroids
As many as one in five women may suffer uterine fibroids during their
childbearing years. This most common pelvic tumor usually affects women
over age 30. They are rare in women under 20, and often shrink and cause
no symptoms in women who have gone through menopause. The cause is unknown,
and they are more common in African American women.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a less invasive alternative, with
a faster recovery period than a six-week hysterectomy.
UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the fibroids but leaves
the uterus and ovaries intact. A tiny catheter is inserted through a small
incision and guided through the uterus. Tiny plastic particles are then
injected into the artery that supplies blood to the fibroid. These particles
block the fibroid's supply of blood causing it to shrink. No general
anesthesia is needed and only one overnight stay is usually required.
Most women resume light activities in a few days and normal activities
after one week.
Rapid Relief from Spinal Pain
Vertebroplasty is used to treat spinal pain caused by collapsed vertebrae
due to injury, osteoporosis or other disease. Unlike spinal fusion and
other invasive treatments, vertebroplasty is performed on an outpatient
basis and without general anesthesia. By inserting a small needle into
the collapsed bone and injecting a special bone cement, the bone is stabilized,
providing pain relief.
To learn more about St. Joseph's intervenional radiology services,
please call 816-943-2270.