Interventional Radiology Service
Interventional radiology procedures are advances in medicine that often replace open surgical procedures. Using image guidance, the Interventional Radiologist is able to perform these minimally invasive procedures that are generally easier on the patient because they involve no large incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times.
open the Ai3 Procedure Script List Document
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a fundamentally new approach to the treatment of fibroids that blocks the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. It is clinically proven to reduce the major symptoms of fibroids, including pain, excessive and prolonged bleeding, and frequent urination. UFE is minimally invasive, requiring only a small nick in the skin.
Ideal patients for UFE include women who:
- Have symptomatic fibroids
- Want to keep their uterus
- Do not want surgery
- Want an outpatient procedure
What to expect during UFE treatment:
You will receive intravenous (IV) conscious sedation, a combination of a sedative (sleep inducer) and a narcotic (pain killer) for your procedure. This is commonly referred to as “twilight sleep.” Dr. Jerry will make a small nick in the skin at the crease of the leg. Using X-ray imaging he will insert a small catheter into the femoral artery and guide it to the uterine artery. Synthetic particles, tiny beads called embospheres, are injected into the targeted artery supplying blood flow to the fibroid. Embolization is achieved when there is blockage of the blood flow to the fibroid. This procedure takes about one hour.
What to expect after UFE treatment:
You will spend from 3 to 6 hours recovering in the post care area under the care of our clinical staff (critical care trained registered nurses). You will receive IV medications for pain, discomfort, or nausea. While you recover in our facility, the person taking you home will get your prescriptions filled so at discharge time you have the medicines you will need when you recover at home. Home recovery time is about 3 to 5 days.
Will my insurance cover the UFE treatment?
Yes, most insurance companies do cover UFE treatment. A few insurance companies require a 30 day Pre-Determination period. We have a staff member solely dedicated to obtaining verification from your insurance as well as authorization if required.
Radiofrequency Closure (RFC)
What is Radiofrequency Closure?
The Radiofrequency Closure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment alternative for varicose veins with less pain and less bruising when compared to traditional vein stripping surgery and laser treatment. The procedure closes the diseased veins and naturally re-routes the blood to healthy veins.
Ideal patients for RFC experience:
- Leg pain
- Leg swelling
- Leg heaviness and fatigue
- Varicose veins in legs
What to expect during RFC procedure:
You will receive a local or regional anesthesia used to numb the treatment area. Dr. Jerry will make a small nick in the skin. Using ultrasound imaging he will insert a small catheter into the diseased vein. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the veins wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut. After the vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins. Normal return flow is established. This procedure takes about an hour and a half.
What to expect after RFC procedure:
A bandage is placed over the insertion site and compression stockings will need to be worn. You are encouraged to walk as much as tolerated. Please refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a period of time.
Many patients resume normal activities within a day.
Will my insurance cover the RFC procedures?
Yes, most insurance companies do cover RFC procedures. A few insurance companies require a 30 day Pre-Determination period. We have a staff member solely dedicated to obtaining verification from your insurance as well as authorization if required.
Vertebroplasty
What is a Vertebroplasty?
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with compression fractures of the spine (vertebrae) who have not received pain relief from conservative methods including strong pain medications, prolonged bed-rest, external bracing, etc….The procedure returns the structural integrity of the collapsed vertebrae utilizing x-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to accurately place specially formulated acrylic bone cement into the veterbral body.
- Ideal patients for Vertebroplasty procedure:
- Have recently suffered from compression fracture
- Are having moderate to sever back pain
What to expect during the Vertebroplasty:
You will receive intravenous (IV) conscious sedation, a combination of a sedative (sleep inducer) and a narcotic (pain killer) for your procedure. This is commonly referred to as “twilight sleep.” You will lie on your belly for the procedure. Dr. Jerry will make a small nick in the skin near the spine. Using X-ray imaging he will insert a small needle and guide it into the vertebral body. Specially formulated acrylic bone cement will be injected into the vertebral body. The needle is removed and the cement is allowed to harden. The small opening is covered with a bandage. This procedure takes about one hour.
What to expect after the Vertebroplasty:
You will spend from 2 to 4 hours recovering in the post care area under the care of our clinical staff (critical care trained registered nurses). You will receive IV fluids and be given something to drink and eat. Upon discharge you will be given a prescription for pain medication. Recovery time is about 24-48 hours.
Will my insurance cover the Vertebroplasty?
Most insurance companies do cover the Vertebroplasty procedure.
We have a staff member solely dedicated to obtaining verification from your insurance as well as authorization if required.
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
What is Epidural Steroid Injection?
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a common treatment option for many forms of back pain and leg pain. The effects tend to be temporary in providing relief from pain for one week to one year, thus allowing the patient to progress with their rehabilitation program.
What to expect during the ESI:
You will lie on your belly during the procedure. The skin is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. Utilizing x-ray guidance, a needle is inserted into the epidural space. Once the needle is in the proper position, contrast is injected to confirm the needle location. The epidural steroid solution in then injected.
What to expect after the ESI:
You will be monitored for a short time after the injection for any numbness, before being allowed to go home.
Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS)
What is the Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure?
Spinal cord stimulator is a safe and effective therapy to help people find pain relief by masking the pain signals delivered to the brain. The brain will interpret the pain signals as something more pleasant called Paresthesia. People describe Paresthesia as feeling like a gentle tingling or massage.
The Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure is broken into two processes, the Trial procedure and the Long Term procedure. The Trial procedure allows you to ‘test drive” the system and determine if it works for you before having the device implanted Long Term. However, the Long Term procedure is reversible-which means though it is surgically implanted it can still be removed.
Ideal patients for the Spinal Cord Stimulator:
Chronic pain sufferers Patients who have exhausted all other methods of pain relief such as powerful pain medications, multiple surgeries, etc.
What to expect during the Trial Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure:
You will receive intravenous (IV) conscious sedation, a combination of a sedative (sleep inducer) and a narcotic (pain killer) for your procedure. This is commonly referred to as “twilight sleep.” Dr. Jerry will place flexible Leads under the skin in the epidural space, which is above the spinal cord. The Leads will be connected to an External Stimulator. You will be awake to give feedback about the therapy to ensure proper placement of the stimulator Leads. This will be with the guidance of your representative from Boston Scientific. Bandages or dressings will be applied to keep your Leads clean and protected. This procedure takes about one hour.
What to expect after the Trial Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure:
You will spend from 3 to 6 hours recovering in the post care area under the care of our clinical staff (critical care trained registered nurses). You will receive IV medications for pain, discomfort, or nausea. A Boston Scientific representative will be in direct contact with you throughout the trial period.
What to expect during the Long Term Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure:
You will receive intravenous (IV) conscious sedation, a combination of a sedative (sleep inducer) and a narcotic (pain killer) for your procedure. This is commonly referred to as “twilight sleep.” Dr. Jerry will place flexible Leads under the skin in the epidural space, which is above the spinal cord. Dr. Jerry will then make a small incision and place the IPG just beneath the skin. Bandages or dressings will be applied to the incision site. This procedure takes about one hour.
What to expect after the Long Term Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure:
You will spend from 3 to 6 hours recovering in the post care area under the care of our clinical staff (critical care trained registered nurses). You will receive IV medications for pain, discomfort, or nausea. A Boston Scientific representative will be in direct contact with you throughout the recovery time.
Will my insurance cover the Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure?
Most insurance companies do cover the SCS procedure. A few insurance companies require a Pre-Determination period or authorization. We have a staff member solely dedicated to obtaining verification from your insurance as well as authorization if required.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
What is Radiofrequency Ablation?
Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for cancer. RFA uses heat produced through radiofrequency energy to slowly induce the destruction of the tumor. This can be used on both primary and secondary lesions.
Ideal patients for RFA include patient who:
- Have one to three small tumors
- Are not an operative candidate
- Have recurrent or progressive lesions
What to expect during RFA treatment:
You will receive intravenous (IV) conscious sedation, a combination of a sedative (sleep inducer) and a narcotic (pain killer) for your procedure. This is commonly referred to as “twilight sleep.” Dr. Jerry will make a small nick in the skin and using CT guidance will insert a needle into the tumor to be treated. Once in the correct area, the hook electrodes are deployed into the tumor. The treatment is started by applying electrical current from a small device called a radiofrequency current generator. The current flows through the electrodes and causes ionic agitation. This agitation creates heat and once sufficient temperatures have been reached, the heat kills the tissue. This procedure takes about two hours depending upon size of tumors and number of tumors to be ablated.
What to expect after RFA treatment:
You will spend from 3 to 6 hours recovering in the post care area under the care of our clinical staff (critical care trained registered nurses). You will receive IV medications for pain, discomfort, or nausea. As you recover, your care giver will fill your prescriptions to control pain and nausea. You will return to the office next day for a contrasted CT (cat scan) to assess tumor(s) size after the RFA procedure. Additionally you will return in 3 months for a follow up contrasted CT. Recovery time is about 48 hours.
Will my insurance cover the RFA treatment?
Most insurance companies do cover RFA treatment. A few insurance companies require prior-authorization. We have a staff member solely dedicated to obtaining verification from your insurance as well as authorization if required.
