Interventional radiologists combine advanced technology, medicine and high quality imaging devices to diagnose and treat patients for a wide range of medical conditions. Common conditions that are diagnosed and treated include tumors, peripheral vascular disease, chronic dialysis and operative complications.  

After making a very small cut in the skin, interventional radiologists guide narrow tubes, or catheters, and other small instruments through blood vessels and other pathways to target the exact location of a problem. They use imaging equipment such as X-rays, ultrasound or fluoroscopy to monitor their progress during the procedure. These treatments are generally easier for patients than traditional surgery because there is less pain, reduced surgical scarring and shorter recovery time.   Common interventional radiology procedures include: 

• Embolization – placement of clotting agents directly to a bleeding area or to block blood flow to a problem area. 
• Venous laser ablation – a non-surgical treatment for varicose veins. 
• Vertebroplasty – a non-surgical spinal treatment for fractures caused by osteoporosis.
• Angioplasty – inserting a tiny balloon to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels. 
• Needle biopsies – a diagnostic test for breast, lung or other cancers.  

Patients will benefit from a new interventional radiology suite that will open at the hospital in January 2007. “We will be able to treat patients using advanced equipment,” says Philip Katz, MD, interventional radiologist on staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “The new Siemens machine is designed to perform procedures more effectively and with better control.”