Balloon
Angioplasty and Stenting
Fat and cholesterol can accumulate on the
inside of arteries and form deposits called
plaque. This disease process is called arteriosclerosis.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain,
kidneys or legs can be narrowed or blocked
by this accumulation. For example, narrowing
of the arteries to the legs can cause pain
while walking (Claudication) and similar disease
in the arteries to the kidneys can cause high
blood pressure, while plaque in the arteries
to the brain (Carotid arteries) can cause
a stroke.
If the blockage is not
too severe, a balloon catheter may be used
to open the artery as an alternative to
surgery. This is usually done as an out
patient procedure and avoids the long recovery
time often seen following open surgery.
The procedure starts with
the patient lying on a padded table. Local
pain medicine is given, and the catheter
is then inserted in an artery (usually near
the groin). The catheter is a small, hollow,
flexible tube that has a balloon near the
end of it. The patient is awake for the
procedure, but is given sedation for relaxation
and to minimize pain.
The blood vessels are then
visualized by using X-rays and contrast,
and blockages in the vessels are identified.
A balloon catheter is then inserted into
the blockage and inflated, thus widening
or opening the blocked vessel and restoring
adequate blood flow.
In almost all cases, a
device called a stent is also placed at
the site of narrowing or blockage in order
to keep the artery open. A common type of
stent is made of self-expanding, stainless
steel mesh
For
additional information concerning balloon
angioplasty and stenting, please visit
www.sirweb.org.
Uterine
Fibroid Embolization
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that
occur in the uterus. It is estimated that
40% of all women have uterine fibroids but
only about 25% are symptomatic. The most
common symptom is increased or abnormal
menstrual bleeding. Other symptoms may include
pelvic pain, bloating and urinary incontinence
or frequency.
Fibroids
are usually diagnosed on physical examination
and with pelvic ultrasound or MRI imaging.
Surgical options for fibroids include myomectomy
and hysterectomy. Myomectomy is the removal
of the fibroid only, while hysterectomy
is the complete removal of the uterus.
Uterine
fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive
procedure for the treatment of symptomatic
uterine fibroids. Fibroids depend on a very
rich blood supply. Embolization interrupts
this blood supply. To do this procedure,
the radiologist performs an angiogram. A
small catheter is inserted into the groin
and advanced to the uterine arteries supplying
the fibroids. Small particles are then injected
into these vessels. These particles block
the blood supply to the fibroids causing
them to shrink, or degenerate. Following
the procedure, bleeding stops immediately.
Tumors decrease in size over the following
several weeks.
The
interventional radiologists at St. Joseph’s
Imaging are available for consultation regarding
this procedure.
For
additional information regarding UFE, please
visit www.sirweb.org.
Varicose
Vein Ablation
Superficial
venous insufficiency is a common but
disabling disease that can be effectively
treated in our outpatient center.
A thorough understanding of a patient’s
venous anatomy is essential. In a
normal vein, one- way valves keep
the oxygen-depleted blood flowing
from the legs toward the heart. If
these valves weaken they allow blood
to flow back down the legs, a condition
called reflux. There the blood pools,
often causing pain and unsightly swollen
vessels or varicose veins.
At our office, patients are examined
and the proper vascular treatment
is then prescribed and performed by
the interventional team. Recommendations
may be as simple as cosmetic improvements
with sclerotheraphy. Other patients
may require complete vein removal
or endovenous ablation. |
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Sclerotheraphy:
Sclerotheraphy
is a simple procedure performed on superficial
veins. Generally these veins are not problematic
but unsightly in appearance. Therefore most
of these procedures are done for cosmetic
reasons. The treatment involves an injection
of a solution into the vein that causes
the vein walls to swell, stick together
and seal shut. Once the vein is shut there
is no blood flowing in it and it turns into
scar tissue. It usually takes about two
weeks for the scar to fade. Sclerotheraphy
does not require any anesthetic and is performed
in our outpatient interventional department.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy:
Ambulatory
phlebectomy requires a local anesthetic.
It is done using a light source to locate
the vein and a surgical hook to remove it.
A series of small incisions are made in
the leg and the hook pulled through them.
Very large veins can be removed with minimal
scarring. Patients can return to their normal
activities the day after treatment.
Endovenous Laser Ablation
At
St. Joseph’s Imaging, all ablations
are done using the Cool Touch laser. With
Cool Touch there is little, if any, pain,
bruising or post-op complications. This
minimally invasive treatment is an outpatient
procedure performed using image guidance.
After applying a local anesthetic to the
vein, the interventional radiologist inserts
a thin catheter, about the size of a strand
of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it
up the great saphenous vein in the thigh.
Then a laser is used to heat the vein and
seal it. By closing the saphenous vein,
the twisted and varicosed branch veins close
to the skin shrink and improve in appearance.
Once the diseased vein is closed, other
healthy veins take over to carry blood from
the leg, re-establishing blood flow. Ablations
done at St. Joseph’s Imaging using
the Cool Touch Laser System have a success
rate greater than 95%.
To make an appointment for any of these
vascular procedures, call our central scheduling
department at 315-362-VEIN (8346).
Approximately
half of the US population has some
kind of venous disease. More than
half of these people are women. As
we age the risk for vascular disease
increases. Other risks include pregnancy,
increased weight, and genetic predisposition.
Besides the visual signs of this disease
symptoms often include pain, swelling,
tired legs or a heavy feeling in the
leg. Support stocking may help alleviate
these symptoms.
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For
additional information concerning varicose
veins, please visit www.sirweb.org.
Vertebroplasty
A safe and effective treatment for the pain
associated with compression fractures of
the spinal vertebrae can be achieved by
a procedure called perctuaneous vertebroplasty
The
typical indications for the procedure are
patients with acute or subacute vertebral
fracture not responding to medical pain
management. Also, patients who cannot tolerate
pain medications due to gastrointestinal
complications or allergies are suitable
candidates.
Painful
fractures due to metastatic tumor within
vertebrae can also be treated with this
technique.
Performed
in the radiology suite, the procedure involves
placement of a needle into the fractured
bone, then injecting a special cement to
stabilize the bone. This results in reduced
pain.
For
additional information concerning vertebroplasty
please, please visit www.sirweb.org.
Complete List Of Procedures Performed
Consultations
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Arthrograms
Cholangiogram
Core Biopsy
Ductogram
Endovenous Laser Ablation
Evaluation and Management
Fistulogram
FNA of the breast
FNA of the thyroid
FNA lymph node
G or J tube exchange
Hematoma or seroma drainage
Hip Injection with Marcaine
Loopogram
Lumbar puncture
Myelogram
Nephrostogram
Paracentesis
PICC line
Sclerotherapy
Sinogram
Vacuum Assisted Biopsy
Venogram
Our
Interventional Radiology scheduling specialists
are available by calling (315) 362-8346,
or by emailing Lynnw@sjia.org.
Please
visit http://www.sirweb.org/
or http://www.radiologyinfo.org/
for more information on these procedures.
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