Interventional Radiology

The name Interventional Radiology is confusing to both physicians and the public alike. Perhaps Surgical Radiology would convey the idea more directly.

Interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments. We offer the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available coupled with diagnostic and clinical experience across all specialties. They use X-rays, MRI and other imaging to guide small needles, small catheters (very thin plastic tubes), and tiny instruments to perform procedures. Through a needle sized incision, we are able to achieve the same result as major surgery with minimal risks, complications, and reduced costs. Typically, the patient goes home the same or following day.

We have techniques for procedures in virtually every part of the body. Some of the procedures performed in interventional radiology include:

Fixing narrowing in blood vessels by using small balloons and stents instead of open surgery.
Nonsurgical ablation of tumors to kill cancer without harming the surrounding tissue.
Embolization therapy to stop hemorrhaging or to block the blood supply to a tumor including fibroids in the uterus.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis to clear blood clots, preventing disability from deep vein thrombosis and stroke.
Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting to prevent stroke.

The following are the interventional radiology procedures that we are able to offer and are experienced in performing:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (Evaluation and state-of-the-art endovascular therapies)
Aneurysm repair
Abscess drainage
Angiography
Angioplasty and Stenting
Biopsy of all sites outside the brain
Cancer / Tumor therapies including chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and cryoblation and radioembolization with therapsheres
Venous access including port placement, central lines, tunneled catheters, and hemodialysis catheters
Deep vein thrombosis treatment
Hepatic / biliary and renal procedures including renal and biliary drainage and stent placement
Hemodialysis access
Dialysis graft maintenance
Dialysis access interventions
Needle Biopsy
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Renovascular Hypertension
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
Thoracentesis / paracentesis
Uterine artery embolization
Varicocele
Varicose vein treatment
Neurointerventional including stroke therapy, aneurysm coiling, myelograms

Diagnostic Injections and Pain Management Procedures

Diagnostic injections and pain management procedures are ordered for diagnosis and/or therapeutic treatment of pain in all areas of the spine (lumbar, thoracic and cervical), as well as joints (shoulder, hip, wrist, etc.) Your doctor may also request that you receive an MRI or CT exam in conjunction with these procedures.

At Dunedin Hospital, Dr. Yair Safriel specializes in diagnostic injections and pain management procedures. Dr. Safriel and our team of neuroradiologists and musculoskeletal also have advanced training in specific areas, including neuro and spine imaging. This special focus, combined with our image-guided approach, ensures that your diagnostic and/or therapeutic injection is accurate and safe.

The following are the interventional pain management procedures that we are able to offer and are experienced in performing: