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Interventional Radiology
You have pain in your leg and your doctor suspects a blood clot or blockage in the artery, both life or limb-threatening conditions. In the past, surgery might have been needed to fix the problem. But now, with minimally invasive procedures like peripheral angiogram, limbs and lives can be saved and people can go on to live normal active lives.
Here at Kishwaukee Community Hospital, patients are getting specialized services with advanced technology and the expert care they need right here at home.
From angioplasty to embolization, patients at KCH are avoiding surgery with these and numerous other interventional radiology procedures. Whether you need a dialysis catheter or a PICC line placed, a team of experienced radiologists, technicians and nurses will perform your needed service.
Kishwaukee and Valley West Community Hospitals and its radiologists have implemented a comprehensive initiative to reduce the radiation dose patients receive when they have a computed tomography (CT) scan, X-ray or fluoroscopy exam.
Using fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound to guide procedures such as performing biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels, interventional radiology offers less risk, less pain and less recovery time with minimally invasive procedures compared to open surgery.
Peripheral Angiogram
These procedures are performed by radiologists, cardiologists and vascular surgeons. Depending on the exam ordered, contrast can be injected in the artery and or veins. X-rays are used to visualize the anatomy being assessed and to diagnose blockages. The physician gains access to the vessel by way of a needle which is then replaced with a guide wire and then a sheath which gives him or her catheter access. Arteriograms are usually done via the femoral artery. The catheters are then injected with contrast and the system in question is visualized with the help of x-ray. Balloons and stents may be used to help open blockages; sometimes coils are used in other types of studies. Physicians usually access the blocked vessel by putting a sheath (essentially a large IV) into the common femoral artery. Then long catheters are inserted through the sheath that snake through the vessels.Kyphoplasty / Vertebroplasty / Sacroplasty
These procedures repair compression fractures of the vertebrae. The physician inserts a metal instrument, inflates a balloon to create a space and then injects “cement.” The cement helps to stabilize unstable vertebrae and builds up discs in the various areas that need support. The difference between each procedure is the location of the instability or fractures. The bone is then good as new, or better. Relief of back pain is almost immediate.Central Venous Catheter
PICC lines and ports are placed with interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists and surgeons. A PICC is a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter which is traditionally used for long-term antibiotic therapy, TPN (total parenteral nutrition, the practice of feeding a person intravenously), or chemotherapy. Any central line can be left in indefinitely, unless signs of infection are noted. A port is a device implanted under the skin in the chest that can be accessed at any time. Dialysis catheters are temporary or long-term tunneled catheters.Vena Cava Filter
When a patient is producing blood clots, the physician may wish to insert a vena cava filter that will catch any clots going “upstream.” A little metal filter sits in the inferior vena cava, the vein that receives the blood from the lower limbs and the greater part of the pelvic and abdominal organs. The filter may be removable or permanent.Uterine Fibroid Embolization
An alternative to surgical hysterectomy is an embolization. In short, little particles or coils are injected directly into the fibroid’s blood supply causing the fibroid to die.CT Guided Needle Biopsy and Abscess Drainage
Using ultrasound or CT as guidance, the physician pokes through the skin with a long, thin needle, to obtain a sample of the target organ.Percutaneous Nephrostomy
A percutaneous nephrostomy catheter is a small, flexible, rubber tube that is placed through the skin into the kidney to drain urine. The interventional radiologist uses x-rays and/or ultrasound to locate the kidney. A needle is inserted through the skin into the kidney. Contrast (x-ray) dye is injected through the needle and the nephrostomy catheter is inserted into the kidney. Reasons for having this procedure include a blockage of the ureter (the structure that normally carries urine from the kidney to the bladder); a hole in the ureter or bladder, causing urine to leak; to prepare for surgery or other procedures on the kidney and ureter, such as removal of a large kidney stone.PleurX Catheter
Physicians can implant catheters to drain fluid from various locations on the body for patients suffering from chronic pleural effusions, which is increased fluid in the pleural space that can cause shortness of breath, and malignant ascites, fluid in the abdomen.Pericardiocentesis
For patients with cardiac tamponade, pericardial fluid can be drained with a needle or catheter.
