Some invasive procedures are more safely performed in a hospital based setting. The physicians at Larchmont Imaging Associates also provide radiology services at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Below is a summary of the interventional radiology services available at that hospital.

 

Interventional Radiology is an exciting specialty within Radiology. The tools and techniques used in this field have numerous applications and are used in the treatment of a wide variety of common disorders, including peripheral vascular disease, oncology, spine, women’s and men’s health, and hemodialysis access. An interventional radiologist is a physician who has had a year of clinical internship (either surgical or medical), four years of Diagnostic Radiology residency, and a year of specialized training as a fellow in Interventional Radiology. More information on Interventional Radiology can be found at the Society of Interventional Radiology.

Procedures currently performed by the Interventional Radiology section at Virtua Memorial Hospital include, but are not limited to:

- Myelograms
- CT Scan guided Biopsies
- Ultrasound Guided Biopsies
- Drainage Procedures
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsies
- Galactograms
- Arteriograms/Angiograms
- Arthrograms

Some of the procedures that are more commonly performed are described below. We encourage you to discuss these options with your physician or you can call the Interventional Radiology section at the hospital at 609-267-0700 extension 43717.

 

Arterial Vascular Disease

Angiography: Angiography is a procedure for evaluating blood vessels. The procedure is performed by inserting a catheter through the groin artery. The catheter is then directed to the artery to be studied. Radiographic contrast material is injected into the artery, and digital X-rays are obtained. Angiography is performed during all endovascular procedures, including angioplasty and stent placement.

Angioplasty: Angioplasty is a procedure for treating diseased blood vessels, and is performed during an angiography procedure. Angioplasty uses a balloon to open areas of narrowing (stenosis) or blockage (occlusion) within blood vessels. The balloon is inflated for a short time, and is then removed after dilating the blood vessel. Digital X-rays demonstrate the area of diseased blood vessel to be treated.

Stent Placement: The use of stents is performed in conjunction with angioplasty. Stents are tubes of metal scaffolding, which are used to keep a blood vessel open following angioplasty. Stents are permanent, and are used when angioplasty alone will not be sufficient to treat a severely diseased vessel.

Thrombolysis: Thrombolysis is used to restore blood flow within blocked (occluded) blood vessels or bypass grafts. The procedure may involve the use of medicine to dissolve blood clots, or the blood clots may be removed from the vessel through suction. When thrombolysis is performed, angiography is also performed to study the blood vessels affected by the clots. An angioplasty is also performed to treat the underlying diseased blood vessel, which caused the clot to form.

Angioplasty, stenting, and thrombolysis procedures can be used to treat all diseased blood vessels, including the aorta, iliac arteries, carotid arteries, renal arteries, and arteries to the bowel, legs, and arms. Coronary (cardiac or heart) arteries are treated by an interventional cardiologist.

Embolization (embolotherapy): Embolization techniques are elegant approaches for treatment of a wide variety of diseases. In these instances, embolization can be used to control life-threatening hemorrhage, to allow for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms with a stent graft device, and to devascularize organs prior to surgical removal for less operative blood loss. Additional roles of embolotherapy are discussed under different subject headings.

Oncology

Chemoembolization: Chemoembolization is a procedure to treat liver cancers, both primary and metastatic disease. The procedure delivers a high concentration of chemotherapy to the liver using a catheter. The catheter is removed following the procedure. Chemoembolization has several benefits including higher concentration of chemotherapy dose within the liver and reduced systemic side effects. A consultation with an interventional radiologist will determine if you are eligible for this procedure.

Radiofrequency Ablation: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure, which can treat focal liver tumors, both primary and metastatic disease. A probe is inserted into the tumor under ultrasound guidance and a current is passed through the probe. This current raises the temperature within the tumor, resulting in a thermal ablation of the cancerous tissue. Other potential applications of RFA include kidney, bone, lung, and breast cancers. A consultation with an interventional radiologist will determine if you are eligible for this procedure.

Implantable Infusion Ports: Implantable infusion ports are long-term venous access devices frequently used to administer chemotherapy. The port is placed under the skin, within the subcutaneous tissues in the upper chest or upper arm. The procedure is performed with local anesthetic and no discomfort. Your oncologist will determine if you require this type of port, and can refer you to our Interventional Radiology section.

Spine

Vertebroplasty: Vertebroplasty is a procedure to treat painful compression fractures of the spine. A needle is inserted into the vertebral body with a fracture and cement is injected. The cement restores height to the vertebral body as well as offering structural support, while eliminating the pain associated with compression fractures. A consultation with an interventional radiologist will determine if you are eligible for this procedure.

Women’s Health

Uterine Artery Embolization: Uterine artery embolization is indicated for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. Symptoms from uterine fibroids may include abdominal and pelvic bloating, painful menstrual periods, excessive menstrual bleeding, irregular menstrual periods, painful sexual relations, lower back pain, and pressure on the bladder/bowels. During the procedure, a catheter is directed to the arteries that supply the uterus, and microscopic particles are injected. The particles become embedded within the fibroids, and serve to block the blood flow to the fibroids. The fibroids die and shrink in size. A consultation with an interventional radiologist will determine if you are eligible for this procedure.

Men’s Health

Testicular Vein Embolization: Testicular vein embolization is a procedure that is used to treat symptomatic varicocele. Varicoceles are dilated veins within the scrotum and may be a cause of male infertility. During the procedure, a catheter is directed into the veins that are responsible for the formation of the varicocele. These veins are blocked with small stainless steel coils. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. A consultation with an interventional radiologist will determine if you are eligible for this procedure.

Hemodialysis Access Maintenance

Dialysis Graft/Fistula Surveillance: Proper graft/fistula function requires diligent surveillance. Grafts and fistulae are monitored for proper function while you are receiving dialysis treatments. If your nephrologist suspects that the graft or fistula is not functioning properly, you may be scheduled for an evaluation. A small needle is inserted into the graft or fistula, radiographic contrast is injected, and digital images are acquired. If there is an area of narrowing, it can be treated with a balloon (angioplasty).

Dialysis Graft Thrombolysis: Dialysis grafts that acutely become occluded (sudden loss of pulse or “thrill”) can be treated within a day or two using techniques similar to the surveillance procedure (described above). The time required to open a clotted graft is longer than the surveillance procedure, but the success rate is quite high, and graft functionality can be restored.

Hemodialysis Catheter Insertion: Temporary dialysis catheters are easily inserted through the neck veins. There are two types of catheters: a non-tunneled and a tunneled type. Your nephrologist will determine which type is most appropriate for your dialysis requirements.