Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is a subspecialty of radiology in which physicians use imaging equipment to perform minimally invasive procedures for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. It is used to:

• Perform mechanical thrombectomies for acute stroke
• Treat blockages inside arteries and veins
• Block off blood vessels that feed tumors
• Destroy malignant cancerous tumors using focused heat and freezing
• Drain blocked organ systems such as the liver, gallbladder and kidney
• Perform biopsies that would otherwise require surgical exploration

Interventional radiologists often work with oncologists to perform innovative procedures to treat many cancer patients and to improve quality of life.

Conditions Being Treated with Interventional Radiology

Physicians at Manatee Memorial Hospital use interventional radiology to treat a wide range of conditions including:

• Stroke
• Critical Limb Ischemia
• Blood Clots (Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter)
• Cancer (Interventional Oncology)
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome​
• Spinal Compression Fractures (Vertebroplasty​)
• Uterine Fibroids (Uterine Artery Embolization)

Biplane Interventional Radiology Suite

The Biplane Interventional Radiology Suite features the Azurion image-guided therapy system from Philips Healthcare. This flexible system can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of medical conditions including stroke, cancer, biliary disease or vascular disease, using minimally invasive procedures.

The catheter-based procedures are designed to reduce some of the risks and recovery time found in traditional surgical approaches. Among the many benefits of catheter-based interventions are shorter hospital stays, reduced recovery time without the pain of a large incision, and less visible surgical scarring. The system enables physicians to complete procedures in less time and help patients recover more quickly.