Interventional Radiology

Minimally invasive interventional radiology techniques are used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. Radiologists use X-ray and other imaging technologies to guide small wires or catheters (thin, flexible tube) with specialized instruments to treat specific areas of the body. These procedures often do not require an incision as is often necessary in traditional surgical procedures often leading to less pain and quicker recovery for patients.

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center offers a range of minimally invasive interventional radiology techniques to offer safe and effective options to treat a variety of conditions, including:

A diagnostic angiogram is used to examine the inside of arteries and veins to detect blockages or narrowing of the vessels which can lead to ulceration of the lower extremities or swelling of a portion of the body. In angioplasty, a small balloon is used to help open narrowed vessels and restore blood flow. In some cases a stent (mesh tube) is placed in the artery to hold it open. Angioplasty and stenting can be used to treat everything from heart disease and circulatory problems to maintaining dialysis access.

Embolization is used to stop abnormal bleeding or to cut off blood supply to a tumor. Catheters are used to deliver blood-clotting medication, or to place particles or coils in the vessels to stop blood flow. Embolization can provide a life-saving treatment for trauma patients and can serve as an effective treatment for fibroids.
Kyphoplasty is used to treat back pain caused by compression fractures of the spine. Doctors insert a needle into the affected vertebrae and inject bone cement to stabilize the vertebrae for relief of pain and shorter time to resume normal activities.

An inferior vena cava filter is a small metal basket placed within the large vein that returns blood from the lower half of the body to the heart. The inferior vena cava filterprevents blood clots which often form in the lower extremities of hospitalized patients or post-operative patients from migrating or embolizing to the lungs. This can cause symptoms including cough, chest pain, increased heart rates and strain as well as sudden cardiovascular collapse and death. These filters are useful when a patient has a clot in the leg veins but may no longer be needed after the clots resolve with treatment or the patient is no longer at high risk for clot formation.

Both of these procedures are performed in the interventional radiology department. Interventional cardiologists use a variety of minimally invasive catheter-based techniques to diagnose and manage coronary artery and other forms of heart disease by taking pictures of the heart and its blood vessels. The pulmonologists at Carolina Pines perform bronchoscopy by using a camera to evaluate the airway and obtain tissue samples from the tissues of the central chest and lungs to help care for their patients.