UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION

Urological Interventions

Interventional treatment for urological conditions involves treating abnormalities caused by conditions such as kidney stones, cancer, and renal disease. These conditions can cause painful symptoms or may put patients at risk for serious complications.

Percutaneous Nephrostomy, Ureteral Stent

Percutaneous nephrostomy is a catheter procedure used to clear blockages in the renal collecting system, which drains the urine between the kidney and bladder. Obstructions can develop as a result of kidney stones, tumors, blood clots or other conditions. This procedure is performed with ultrasound guidance and a local anesthetic, and involves inserting the catheter directly into the collecting system of the kidney to drain urine into a collection bag. The catheter is kept in place until the obstruction has cleared and urine can pass through properly.

Blockages can also be cleared with the help of a ureteral stent, a thin flexible tube similar to a catheter that helps urine drain from the kidney to the bladder or to an external collection system. The size and shape of the stent may vary depending on the individual patient.

Treatment of Varicocele

A varicocele is a varicose vein that develops within a man’s scrotum, causing pain, swelling and may result in infertility. A varicocele is often caused by a defective or damaged valve that regulates blood flow into the rest of the body. This condition can occur in one or both testicles, although it is more common on the left. Patients may experience symptoms such as aching or heaviness, although most men do not experience any symptoms from this condition.

Catheter directed embolization is a nonsurgical, outpatient varicocele treatment. This procedure is performed with a local anesthetic, and involves a small incision next to the groin to insert a thin catheter with imaging guidance. Tiny coils are then inserted into the vein to block it and prevent blood from building up in the varicocele, allowing it to instead flow to healthy veins. Most patients experience successful results from the embolization procedure with a short recovery time. Embolization is equally effective in improving male infertility and costs about the same as surgical ligation. Pregnancy rates and recurrence rates are comparabgle to those following surgical varicocelectomy.

Click here to watch a video about Male Infertility

Women's Interventions

Interventional radiology care involves the treatment of several different conditions specific to women, such as uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, and other conditions that frequently affect women. These treatments combine minimally invasive procedures with imaging techniques to deliver the most effective results without the use of surgery, and often improve a patient’s overall quality of life as well.

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Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat fibroid tumors in the uterus by cutting off their blood supply with an embolic agent. Fibroids, also known as myomas, are benign growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus and can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure on the bladder and bowel.

During this procedure, a small incision is made in the groin area and a catheter will be passed through an artery in the uterus. Tiny plastic particles are then injected through the catheter to block blood flow to the fibroid, causing it to gradually shrink in size or even go away completely. Most women experience significant or full relief from their symptoms following this procedure.

Hysterosalpingography, Selective Salpingography, Fallopian Tube Recanalization

A hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray procedure used to detect and stage abnormalities within the uterus, such as tumors, fibroids and adhesions. This procedure uses fluoroscopy and a contrast material to produce detailed images of the internal organs in motion. It can also be used to evaluate the openness of the fallopian tubes and determine the cause of repeated miscarriages or infertility.

When combined with selective salpingography or fallopian tube recanalization, this procedure can treat blockages in the fallopian tubes as well by inserting a catheter into the uterus to open a blockage in the tube. Aside from relieving pain and other symptoms, this treatment is also helpful in treating the causes of female infertility.

Treatment of Pelvic Venous Congestion

Pelvic venous congestion is a common condition that involves chronic pelvic pain associated with varicose veins in the pelvis that commonly develop during pregnancy and continue to grow over time. Women with this condition may also suffer from swelling, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and pain during intercourse. Pelvic venous congestion can be treated using embolization, which blocks the abnormal venous blood flow.

Click here to watch a video about Nonsurgical Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Click here to watch a video about UFE and Fertility
Click here to watch a video about Uterine Fibroid Embolization

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