Interventional Radiology
Minimally invasive, image-guided procedures
Interventional radiology helps diagnose and treat conditions using minimally invasive, image-guided procedures.
For you, that means:
- Very small incisions
- Less trauma to your body
- Less bleeding and pain
- Less risk of infection
- Faster recovery
Our Approach to Interventional Radiology
Our experts in minimally invasive procedures diagnose and treat many conditions. Some of these procedures involve making very small incisions in your upper leg. Your doctor then threads thin hollow tube (catheter) to the area of your body to be treated—your heart, liver, spine or abdomen. Doctors insert special instruments through the catheter to perform the intervention.
Your doctors can then use previously obtained images of you, MRI, X-rays or ultrasound to guide them during the procedure.
Our Interventional Radiology Services
Our services range from laser treatment of varicose veins to life-threatening deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Procedures include:
- Abscess drainage — Your doctor will insert a catheter (thin tube) into an abscess (pus-filled mass) to drain the infection.
- Paracentesis — Your doctor will use a needle to drain excess fluid from your abdomen.
- Thoracentesis — Your doctor will guide a small tube through your chest wall to drain fluid from the space between your lungs (called the pleural space).
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) — Your doctor will guide a small tube into your liver, connecting inflow and outflow veins to improve your blood flow. This lifesaving procedure helps prevent hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) from severe liver dysfunction.
- Bile duct obstruction — Your doctor will place a stent or catheter to open up your blocked bile ducts. This allows bile to drain from your liver.
- Biopsies — Your doctor will take a sample of your tissue to identify the cause of a lump, mass or other problem.
- Gastrostomy tubes — If you are unable to take food or oral medication by mouth, your doctor may need to place a gastrostomy tube in your stomach. You can then be fed through the tube.
- Joint injections — Your doctor will inject medication into your joint to relieve pain from arthritis.
- Venous access/PICC lines — Your doctor will insert a small tube called a central venous access catheter (CVAC) into your vein. The catheter provides a simple, pain-free way for you to have blood draws and receive medication, nutrients and contrast dye for imaging.
Our Approach to Interventional Radiology
Our experts in minimally invasive procedures diagnose and treat many conditions. Some of these procedures involve making very small incisions in your upper leg. Your doctor then threads thin hollow tube (catheter) to the area of your body to be treated—your heart, liver, spine or abdomen. Doctors insert special instruments through the catheter to perform the intervention.
Your doctors can then use previously obtained images of you, MRI, X-rays or ultrasound to guide them during the procedure.
Our Interventional Radiology Services
Our services range from laser treatment of varicose veins to life-threatening deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Procedures include:
- Abscess drainage — Your doctor will insert a catheter (thin tube) into an abscess (pus-filled mass) to drain the infection.
- Paracentesis — Your doctor will use a needle to drain excess fluid from your abdomen.
- Thoracentesis — Your doctor will guide a small tube through your chest wall to drain fluid from the space between your lungs (called the pleural space).
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) — Your doctor will guide a small tube into your liver, connecting inflow and outflow veins to improve your blood flow. This lifesaving procedure helps prevent hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) from severe liver dysfunction.
- Bile duct obstruction — Your doctor will place a stent or catheter to open up your blocked bile ducts. This allows bile to drain from your liver.
- Biopsies — Your doctor will take a sample of your tissue to identify the cause of a lump, mass or other problem.
- Gastrostomy tubes — If you are unable to take food or oral medication by mouth, your doctor may need to place a gastrostomy tube in your stomach. You can then be fed through the tube.
- Joint injections — Your doctor will inject medication into your joint to relieve pain from arthritis.
- Venous access/PICC lines — Your doctor will insert a small tube called a central venous access catheter (CVAC) into your vein. The catheter provides a simple, pain-free way for you to have blood draws and receive medication, nutrients and contrast dye for imaging.
Why IU Health for Interventional Radiology Care
Our interventional radiologists are fellowship trained. This means they have extra years of specialty training after they complete their medical residencies.
We stay on the forefront of radiology techniques through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine. We never stop looking for new treatment options to improve your care.
Why IU Health for Interventional Radiology Care
Our interventional radiologists are fellowship trained. This means they have extra years of specialty training after they complete their medical residencies.
We stay on the forefront of radiology techniques through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine. We never stop looking for new treatment options to improve your care.