<STRONG>Interventional Radiology</STRONG>

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Interventional radiology is a specialty of radiology in which radiologists diagnose and/or treat diseases without surgery, by guiding tiny tubes through your body's arteries and organs. This allows the radiologists to place medications directly at the organ site, open blocked blood vessels, drain an obstructed kidney, obtain biopsies, and perform many other procedures - using x-rays and other radiologic equipment to guide them.

The Emory Crawford Long Section of interventional radiology covers all aspects in the area of interventional radiology. We have 3 fulltime board certified fellowship trained and CEQ certified or eligible interventional radiologists on staff. We currently have two state of the art Philips units available and are planning to have a third angio-suite opening in July 2004.

To learn more about the interventional radiology services provided by Emory Crawford Long Hospital Radiology, please click on the links below:

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FAQ's about interventional radiology

Hours of operation:

Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Schedule an appointment:

To schedule an appointment, please call 404-686-XRAY (404-686-9783).

Services

Arterial Procedures
Biliary Procedures
Hemodialysis management
Neurointerventional procedures
Renal procedures
Venous procedures
Miscellaneous Procedures

Arterial Procedures:

Diagnostic arteriography of all arteries

Recannalization of vessels - any location

Angioplasty - any location

Vascular stent placement - any location, including aortic stentgrafts and carotid stents

Thrombolysis of peripheral, visceral and cerebral vessels

Embolization of vessels for bleeding (i.e. nosebleeding, mesenteric bleeding)

(Chemo-)Embolization of tumors (i.e. HCC, metastatic disease to liver)

Preoperative embolization of tumors, including meningeomas, paraspinal tumors, metastatic disease

Uterine fibroid embolization

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Biliary Procedures:

Percutaneous cholangiogram
Internal external biliary drainage catheter placement
Biliary stone removal
Biliary stent placement
Cholecystostomy tube placement

Hemodialysis management:

AV fistulagram

Fistulagram declotting, angioplasty and stenting

Advanced heodialysis vascular access including recannalysation of occluded vessels

Lifeports hemodialysis ports

Translumbar and transhepatic HD catheter placement

Peritoneal dialysis catheter placement

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Neurointerventional procedures:

Stroke treatment
Tumor embolization, including CNS, head, neck and spinal tumors
Carotid stenting
Balloon test occlusion and subsequent embolization
Myelograms
Bloodpatches
Epidural steroid injections
Facett injections (cervical, thoracic and lumbar)
Nerve blocks (cervical, thoracic and lumbar)
Discograms (cervical, thoracic and lumbar)
Vertebroplasty (cervical, thoracic and lumbar)
Tarlov cyst injection
Intrathecal chemotherapy injection

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Renal procedures:

Renal arteriograms, angioplasty and stenting

Renal venous sampling

Percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement

Percutaneous nephroureterostomy tube placement

Ureteral dilatation

Ureteral occlusion

Tract dilatation for lithotrypsy

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Venous procedures:

Diagnostic venograms

Pulmonary arteriogram

Embolization of pulmonary arterio venous malformations (AVM)

Venous sampling including renal, adrenal, petrosal veins)

TIPS (Transhepatic portosystemic shunt) placement

Transcatheter (jugular) liver biopsy

Venous access including catheter declotting

Port placement (arm and chest ports)

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Miscellaneous Procedures:

Gastrostomy tube placement

Gastrojejunostomy tube placement

Jejunostomy tube placement

Ascites drainage including peritoneal catheter or port placement

Transcatheter retrieval of foreign body

Abcess drainage, chest tube placement under CT, US or flouroscopy guidance

Thora- and paracentesis

Biopsy all body parts with CT, US, fluoroscopy or stereotactic guidance

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Interventional Radiology?
Interventional Radiology is a specialty of radiology in which radiologists diagnose and/or treat diseases without surgery, by guiding tiny tubes through your body's arteries and organs. This allows the radiologists to place medications directly at the organ site, open blocked blood vessels, drain an obstructed kidney, obtain biopsies, and perform many other procedures - using x-rays and other radiologic equipment to guide them.

Interventional radiologists specialize in the use of fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound to guide passage through the skin by needle puncture, including introduction of wires and catheters for performing procedures such as biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels.

What is the difference between interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology?
Interventional radiology seeks to make changes in the body by using electromagnetic or particulate radiation to treat disease. Diagnostic radiology seeks to see how the body is functioning to discover if something is wrong.

How long will the test take?
This entirely depends on the exam to be performed. Preparation time takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Recovery time is can last from 1 hour after sedation to 6 hours after arteriograms. Some patients require overnight admission.

Will I be put to sleep?

One advantage of the minimally-invasive approach used by interventional radiologists is the fact that most procedures can be done without requiring overnight admission into the hospital. Most procedures are performed with local numbing medicine at the skin site where the catheter or needle enters. Often, sedation medicine is given through the IV to make patients more comfortable and relaxed, but not asleep.

Is interventional radiology painful?

Most interventional radiology procedures are performed under local anesthesia. You may feel some pressure during the procedure and the puncture site may feel sore for a few days following most procedures.

How long will I be in the hospital?
Most procedures do not require longer admissions than 23 hour observation admissions. Some exceptions apply depending on the general health status of the patient.

Should I take my daily medications?
The morning medications should be taken with a little water.

How and when will I receive my results?
You will need to contact your referring physician for your results. Critical results will be called to the referring physician immediately. Results that are not critical will be available in your physician?s office within 24 hours.

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