Interventional Radiology

In many cases, interventional radiologists can open blocked or narrowed blood vessels caused by peripheral arterial disease or other conditions. In some patients, high blood pressure is caused by a blockage to the artery to the kidney, a condition known as renal vascular hypertension. Interventional radiologists can often treat blocked blood vessels without surgery. In most cases, hospitalization and general anesthesia are not required. There is no incision - just a small nick in the skin - and no stitches are required. Often, patients may return to normal activity shortly after the procedure.

Imaging Online Live Online videos of our Grand Rounds presentations: "Radiofrequency Ablation and Tumor Debulking Procedures for the Treatment of Malignancies" Presented by: Peter Julien, MD and Marcel Maya, MD.

During angioplasty, the interventional radiologist inserts a very small balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) into a blood vessel through a small incision. The catheter is threaded under X-ray guidance to the site of the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated to open the artery. A small metal scaffold/tube, called a stent, is sometimes inserted to hold the blood vessel open.

Thrombolytic therapy is used if the blockage in an artery is caused by a blood clot. Thrombolytic drugs that dissolve clots are injected through a catheter to eliminate the clot and restore the blood flow.
The most common interventional procedures are listed below, with links to patient information sheets.

• Angiography
• Biopsies:
  • General Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
  • Liver Biopsy (Ultrasound-Guided)
• Breast Needle Localization
• Cryoablation
• Radiofrequency Ablation - Lung, Liver, or Renal (Kidney)
• Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Why Choose the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center for these procedures?

The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake, and West Hollywood.