Vascular & Interventional Radiology
VIR = Reduced risk ... less pain ... shorter recovery times.
Vascular & Interventional Radiology (also known as VIR or IR) is a discipline of medicine that focuses on the minimally invasive, image-guided therapy of medical conditions that once required open surgery. By harnessing the power of advanced imaging technology (ultrasound, X-ray, CAT scan, MRI scan and others), IR physicians can see into your body and treat complex conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer with unprecedented precision and less risk to you. The result? Reduced length of hospital stays, minimized risk for complications and lives saved.
Conditions We Treat
The following are some of the most common conditions treated by AROP Vascular & Interventional Radiologists. These specialists offer expert care for many other related medical problems. If you need care for a condition not listed here, please contact us to find a doctor who can help you.
Aortic Aneurysm (TAA/AAA)
An aortic aneurysm is a bulging section in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. An aortic aneurysm can occur in the chest (TAA) or the abdomen (AAA). Left untreated, TAA/AAAs can enlarge and rupture, leading to life threatening hemorrhage.
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an incorrectly formed tangle of arteries and veins. Normally capillaries connect the body’s veins and arteries. In an AVM, the capillaries are missing. This disrupts the body’s normal blood circulation process.
Biliary Obstruction
The biliary system produces bile and is important for digestion of fat. The biliary system may become obstructed for both benign and malignant reasons. Our IR physicians can treat biliary obstruction using minimally invasive techniques.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the calves, thighs or pelvis. DVT is dangerous and can happen to anyone, and may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life threatening.
Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
Enlarged prostate or Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common condition affecting over 90% of men over age 80. BPH can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, intermittent urination, incontinence etc.
Internal Bleeding
When bleeding occurs as result of trauma or in the gastrointestinal tract, they may be difficult to stop. Our IR physicians can enter the bleeding vessel using minimally invasive techniques and stop the bleeding from the inside. This is called an embolization.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is usually a slowing growing tumor that develops in one kidney. Surgery is typically the first treatment for kidney cancer. However when you're not healthy enough for surgery or don't want surgery, our Interventional Radiologists can treat kidney tumors using minimally invasive techniques.
Liver Cancer
When cancer starts in the tissue of the liver it is referred to as primary liver cancer. When cancer has spread (or metastasized) from another organ into the liver, it is referred to as secondary liver cancer or metastatic liver cancer. In the U.S., metastatic liver cancer is more common than primary liver cancer.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer begins in the cells that line the bronchi, the two large tubes that carry air from the trachea down into the lungs. Most lung cancers occur due to long term smoking however a minority of cases occur in patients who have never smoked. Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related death worldwide.
Malnutrition/Feeding Tube Placement
Some patients may have difficulty swallowing due to illnesses such as stroke or cancer or cannot eat enough to maintain good nutritional status. Our IR physicians can place a feeding tube through the skin into the stomach to help with nutritional support.
Mesenteric Ischemia
Similar to arteries feeding the other organs, a buildup of plaque and other substances can cause narrowing or blockage of arteries feeding the bowel. This may lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain that starts about 30 mins after eating and goes away within 1-3 hrs.
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PAD/PVD)
Peripheral vascular disease, also known as peripheral artery disease, occurs when a buildup of plaque and other substances blocks or narrows arteries, limiting or halting blood flow. This can lead to pain while walking (claudication) or nonhealing ulcers/wounds in your feet and legs.
Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension occurs when excessive pressure builds up within the portal vein - a large vein carrying blood and nutrients from the bowel to the liver. Most commonly caused by end stage liver disease (cirrhosis), portal hypertension may lead to intractable ascites and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot that lodges in one of the lung's arteries. This results in shortness of breath and chest pain. PE usually starts as blood clot in the veins of the legs (DVT). When the clot breaks off and travels to the lung by blood flow (embolization), it becomes a PE. Left untreated, PEs can be fatal.
Renal Artery Stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of one of more arteries that carries blood to your kidneys. This can cause high blood pressure (hypertension) that's difficult to control with medications. Our IR physicians can use minimally invasive methods to open up these narrowed arteries, restoring blood flow to the kidneys.
Renal Failure/Dialysis Access
Whether it's a dialysis catheter or problems with your AV fistula/AV graft, our dedicated IR physicians will help you maintain patency and access so you can continue with your daily activities without significant disruptions.
Urinary Obstruction
The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra. The system may be blocked at any point from causes such as kidney stones or tumors. Our IR physicians can open up these obstructions via minimally invasive methods.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign tumors affecting the uterus. This condition is very common and affects as many as one in five women, these benign fibroid tumors grow in a woman’s uterus and may cause symptoms such as pelvic and lower back pain, heavy periods, frequent urination and pain on intercourse.
Varicocele/Pelvic congestion syndrome
Varicocele is swelling of the veins inside of a man’s scrotum, along the cord that holds up the testicles. A variocele is typically harmless, but it can cause scrotal pain and/or infertility. Varicoceles can be treated surgically or via endovascular methods.
Varicose Veins/Venous Insufficiency
Varicose veins are bulging, twisted veins that can be seen directly under the skin. They occur when the one-way valves in the legs that keep blood flowing to the heart do not work normally.
Vertebral/Spine Fractures
Vertebral body fractures usually results from osteoporosis, trauma and/or tumor invasion of the spine. These fractures can lead to debilitating back pain and may not be adequately controlled by pain medicine. Our IR physicians can treat these fractures with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty.
These are just some of the most common conditions treated by AROP IR physicians. Get in touch and discover what AROP IR can do for you. Request an appointment today.