Interventional Radiology: Non-invasive Alternative to Surgery

Our nationally recognized interventional radiologists within the UCSF Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Department have extensive experience and success using minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat patients with a wide variety of disorders. These techniques are less invasive than open surgery. Therefore, recovery is faster with generally less discomfort and fewer associated complications. All of our interventional radiologists are board-certified radiologists with advanced training in image-guided procedures and subspecialty certification from the American Board of Radiology in vascular and interventional radiology.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystem Shunt (TIPS), the varices no longer fill

(Left): Image from a portal venogram showing varices. (Right): Following placement of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystem Shunt (TIPS), the varices no longer fill.

Occlusion of the left brachiocephalic vein with formation of extensive collateral vessels.

Thrombosis of the left brachiocephalic vein secondary to persistently elevated flow rates related to upper extremity AV fistula.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: (L) Aterial and venous phases of CT scan before treatment, (R) Angriogram before treatment

Embolization of a large congenital arteriovenous malformation

Interventional Radiologist

Why choose Interventional Radiology at UCSF

Most advanced techniques and state-of-the-art imaging equipment with reduced X-ray doses
Pioneering work in the treatment of various diseases
Patient–centered care
Minimally invasive interventional techniques, resulting in shorter recovery time for patients, less time in the hospital, and less pain as a side effect of the procedures when compared with open surgery
Specially designed interventional radiology clinics that optimize patient evaluation and treatment

Interventional Radiology Issues We Address

Interventional Oncology

Conditions: Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma), liver metastases (colon or rectum, neuroendocrine, breast, other), kidney cancer, lung cancer, adrenal tumors
Services: Embolization, chemoembolization, Yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y) radioembolization, microwave ablation, cryoablation, alcohol ablation, biopsies

Men’s Health

Conditions: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), varicocele
Services: Prostate artery embolization (PAE), varicocele embolization, varicoceles male infertility treatment

Women’s Health

Conditions: Uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, pelvic congestion syndrome, infertility
Services: Uterine artery / uterine fibroid embolization (UAE / UFE), High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), gonadal vein embolization, fallopian tube recanalization

Venous Disease

Conditions: Superficial venous disease and varicose veins, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, May-Thurner syndrome, Paget-Schroetter syndrome
Services: Varicose vein ablation, sclerotherapy, inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion and removal, thrombolysis, angioplasty, stenting, angiovac thrombectomy

Dialysis Access Interventions

Conditions: Hemodialysis access, access malfunction
Services: Dialysis access catheters, maintenance of dialysis fistula / graft patency (de-clot, thrombolysis, angioplasty, stenting)

Portal Hypertension

Conditions: Portal hypertension, esophageal varices, gastric varices, variceal bleeding, ascites, portal vein thrombosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome
Services: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), Balloon-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), portal vein recanalization, paracentesis, abdominal PleurX placement

Genitourinary Interventions

Conditions: Hydronephrosis, ureter obstruction, angiomyolipoma (AML)
Services: Nephrostomy, ureteral stenting, embolization

Billiary Tract Disease

Conditions: Bile duct obstruction, bile leak, cholecystitis
Services: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), cholangioplasty, stenting, cholecystostomy

Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, and Lung Transplant Interventions

Conditions: Rejection, infection, abscess, vascular problems (stenosis, bleeding), bile duct obstruction, bile leak, hydronephrosis, ureter obstruction, urine leak, pleural effusion
Services: Angiography, venography, angioplasty, stenting, transjugular liver biopsy, biliary drainage, cholangioplasty, nephrostomy, ureteral stents, chest tubes

Vascular Malformation

Conditions: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM), Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)
Services: Angiography, embolization

Pain Management

Conditions: Knee pain from osteoarthritis, osteoporotic/pathologic spine fractures
Services: geniculate artery embolization, vertebral augmentation (for example, kyphoplasty), soft tissue and bone ablation

Other Nonvascular Services

Conditions: Abscess, pleural effusion, malnutrition, intestinal leak, pancreas leak, fistulae, benign thyroid nodules
Services: Imaging-guided drainage, feeding tube placement and management, thyroid nodule ablation