What is interventional radiology?
Interventional radiolology uses x-rays, ultrasound and other medical images to guide small instruments such as catheters (tubes that measure just a few millimeters in diameter) through the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease percutaneously (through the skin). Interventional radiology offers an alternative to the surgical treatment of many conditions and can eliminate the need for hospitalization in some cases.

Interventional Radiology studies the blood vessels in the body. Procedures performed by an interventional radiologist include: cerebral (brain) angiogram, femoral (leg) angiogram, renal (kidney) angiogram, and pulmonary (lung) angiogram. Angiograms are performed by injecting, intravenously, an x-ray dye. This can reveal the cause of blockage, bleeding, swelling, or tumor(s).

Procedures performed to reduce pain include: epidural steriod injection and removal of kidney stones.

What are the advantages of interventional radiology?

• Most procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis or require only a short hospital stay.

• General anesthesia usually is not required.

• Risk, pain and recovery time are often significantly reduced.

• The procedures are sometimes less expensive than surgery or other alternatives.

I have more questions. Who can I ask?
Please call The Imaging Center at (970) 282-2900. The receptionist will direct you to someone who can answer your questions.