Interventional Radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of radiology that encompasses procedures performed using imaging guidance such as fluoroscopy, CT, ultrasound, and MRI to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions.

Minneapolis Radiology has several radiologists trained in interventional radiology. Each is board certified by the American Board of Radiology and recognized with a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Interventional Radiology. Interventional procedures are performed at North Memorial Medical Center, Mercy/Unity Hospitals and our Vascular Center located in Plymouth .

Angiography
Angiography is a diagnostic study used to obtain images of blood vessels in various parts of the body including the heart, brain, and kidneys to determine whether the vessels are diseased, narrowed, enlarged or occluded (closed). The study employs a catheter and contrast material injected into the blood vessels to obtain the images.Angiography performed under CT (CT Angiography or CTA) or MRI (MR Angiography or MRA) offer a much less invasive alternative. Both modalities produce extremely detailed visualizations of blood flow in arterial vessels throughout the body, from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms and legs.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Angiography

Angioplasty and Stenting
Angioplasty is a procedure used to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels by inserting a very small balloon into the vessel and inflating it. This technique is used to unblock clogged arteries in the legs or arms (called peripheral vascular disease or PVD), kidneys (called renal hypertension), neck, brain or elsewhere in the body. In some cases, a small flexible tube made of plastic or wire mesh called a stent, is inserted to hold the blood vessel open.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Angioplasty and Stents

Stroke Treatment
Stroke occurs when a blood vessel gets blocked, usually by a clot, and deprives the brain of oxygen. This lack of oxygen can lead to the lead to death of nerve cells, causing part of the body controlled by those nerve cells to be affected with paralysis, loss of vision, loss of language function, and other changes.As part of the stroke team in most hospitals, interventional radiologists provide one course of treatment for the acute stroke patient - the delivery of clot-busting drugs in the blood vessels. The patient, however, has to be evaluated first to assess if they are a candidate for this treatment.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Stroke

A narrowing of the carotid artery can lead to stroke. The most common treatment in this case is surgery, a procedure called carotid endarterectomy. However, carotid balloon artery angioplasty and stenting are becoming much more common as it is a less invasive procedure.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Stroke Prevention and Treatments

Embolization
Embolization is the delivery of clotting agents (coils, plastic particles, gel, foam, etc.) directly to an area that is bleeding or to block blood flow to a problem area, such as an aneurysm or tumors.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Liver Cancer

Uterine artery embolization
An embolization procedure of uterine arteries to stop life- threatening postpartum bleeding, potentially preventing hysterectomy. The same procedure is used to treat fibroid tumors and is then called UFE (Uterine Fibroid Embolization).

Uterine fibroid embolization
An embolization procedure of uterine arteries to shrink painful, enlarged, benign tumors in the uterus, also called UAE (Uterine Artery Embolization).

Society of Interventional Radiology - UFE

Endovascular Repair of AAA and TAA
AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) is caused by a weakened area in the main vessel that supplies blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This forms a bulge that can increase to a size where it can rupture. The goal of treatment is to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing which can be fatal. The aneurysm can be treated with surgery, but a new treatment has been developed that is much less invasive. Through a small incision in the groin, a small tube is guided into the aneurysm and a stent-graft (covered stent) is opened to create a new blood vessel, excluding the aneurysm from circulation and redirecting blood flow. A patient much first be assessed to determined if they are a candidate for this treatment option. Very recently, TAAs (Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm) have begun to be treated in this same fashion. North Memorial was the first hospital in the Twin Cities to perform Endovascular Repair of TAA.

Click here to view animation of AAA Repair

Click here to view animation of TAA Repair

Society of Interventional Radiology - AAA

Needle biopsy
An alternative to surgical biopsy, a needle biopsy is used to identify the cause of a lump, mass or other abnormal condition in the body. Using one of several imaging techniques, a needle is inserted into the abnormal area and a small tissue sample removed to be studied by a pathologist for evaluation.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Needle Biopsy

Thrombolysis
Thrombolysis is a technique is used to dissolve blood clots by injecting a drug directly at the site of the clots. Thrombolytic drugs—sometimes called "clot busters"—dissolve the clot and restore blood flow. Usually, the drugs are administered through a catheter directly into the clot. These drugs are frequently combined with another treatment such as angioplasty. Thrombolysis is frequently used to treat Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).Thrombolysis is also used to treat Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). DVT occurs with the formation of a blood clot in the deep vein, usually of the leg, and which can lead to blockage of flow from the leg. This lack of blood flow can lead to swelling and even gangrene. Additionally, there is a risk of the clot breaking off and traveling to the lungs leading to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

Society of Interventional Radiology - PVD

ICV Fiter
In order to help prevent clots from moving to the lung (pulmonary embolism) or heart, the interventional radiologist may insert a small filter (called a vena cava filter) into a blood vessel to catch and break up blood clots. Some of these filters are temporary and may be removed after some time.

Venous Insufficiency and Varicose Veins
Venous insufficiency is a very common condition that leads to pooling in the legs and the formation of varicose veins. Treatment used to be an invasive surgery called vein stripping. New minimally invasive treatments have been developed to venous insufficiency. One treatment option, called Venous Ablation, uses the heat of RF or laser energy.

Varicose veins can also be treated with Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, an interventional radiologists injects the vein with a solution that leads to scarring of the vein. Sclerotherapy can also be used for spider veins.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy is also used to treat varicose veins. The abnormal vein is removed with tiny incisions using special tools. Recovery from this minor surgical procedure is usually rapid.

TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt)
TIPS is a lifesaving procedure to improve blood flow and prevent hemorrhage in patients with severe liver dysfunction. A catheter is guided to backed up blocked blood vessels in the liver where a tunnel is created in the liver through which the blood can now flow normally.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Liver Diseases

Thermal Ablation of Tumors
Both heat and cold have been used to treat cancer in a minimally invasive way. Using image guidance, small tubes with metal probes are placed into the tumor and used to treat them.

SIR - Kidney Cancer
SIR - Liver Cancer
SIR - Lung Cancer
SIR - Breast Cancer
SIR - Bone Cancer

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used in the treatment of painful vertebral body compression fractures commonly associated with osteoporosis. To stabilize broken bones in the spine, a needle is inserted into vertebrae and a surgical bone cement is injected.In Kyphoplasty, balloons are used to create a cavity and raise the bone what has collapsed. Once this is done, the interventional radiologist can inject the surgical bone cement.

Society of Interventional Radiology - Vertebroplasty

Most interventional procedures will require some preparation, though instructions will vary depending on the type of procedure to be performed. When your healthcare provider schedules your appointment, you will be given specific instructions to follow. In most cases, you will need to be accompanied and arrange for transportation following the procedure. In some cases, an overnight stay in the hospital may be required.

Following your exam, the interventional radiologist will analyze and interpret the images from your exam and prepare a full report. This report will be sent directly to your physician who will share the results with you. To request a copy of the report, contact your physician’s office.

Minneapolis Radiology contracts with most major health plans and will submit claims for non-contracted plans as a courtesy for our patients.

When your physician orders an interventional radiology procedure for you, the physician’s office will contact Minneapolis Radiology to schedule your appointment.