TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) TIPS is a procedure Inova vascular and interventional radiologists use to non-surgically treat portal hypertension. Portal hypertension occurs when liver scarring or damage (cirrhosis) blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver. The physician inserts a catheter in the skin near the neck and guides it to the blocked blood vessels in the liver. The physician constructs a tunnel in the liver so the blood may flow normally using X-ray guidance. An inserted metal stent keeps the tunnel open.

Chronic inflammation leading to musculoskeletal pain has garnered interest in the past decade with the success of genicular artery embolization for knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis. Outside the knee joint, musculoskeletal embolization has been applied to other anatomical locations, mainly shoulder pain secondary to adhesive capsulitis and elbow pain secondary to lateral epicondylitis. The success of these early trials and other case reports highlights the efficacy of musculoskeletal embolization and its future potential.

Varicose veins in the pelvis can produce constant, dull pain and pressure in the abdomen and back. We refer to this as pelvic congestion syndrome. Traditionally difficult to diagnose and treat, we can now do so using ovarian vein embolization— a new and highly effective minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the veins by blocking blood flow. The interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter through the neck, threading it into the swollen pelvic veins using X-ray guidance. They insert tiny coils to block the veins, cutting blood flow to the effected area and relieving painful pressure.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the arms or legs become narrowed or clogged with plaque, interfering with normal blood flow. Interventional radiologists can evaluate and treat the condition using angiography, ball angioplasty and stent placement, and thrombolytic therapy.

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a new treatment option for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate gland. This procedure can greatly reduce BPH symptoms. Most often patients are discharged from the hospital three hours after the procedure, but sometimes it may be necessary to stay overnight. Please note: If you were interested in participating in the clinical trial for PAE, that study is currently closed. However, the PAE procedure is currently performed at two Inova locations as outlined below.

RFA of the lung is a treatment for early stage lung cancer. The interventional radiologist uses ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) to guide a needle electrode in the cancerous tumor. High-frequency electrical currents are then passed through the electrode, creating heat that destroys the abnormal cells while preserving the healthy lung tissue surrounding the tumor. We also use RFA to reduce the size of many types of cancerous tumors via chemotherapy or radiation. This treatment also provides pain relief when a tumor invades a chest wall.

Carotid artery disease (CAD) is a condition where arteries that carry blood to the head and brain become narrow or clogged with plaque, increasing the risk of stroke. Inova vascular and interventional radiologists evaluate and treat the condition using the following techniques: Carotid Angiography An exam to diagnose blockages, narrowing or other defects of the carotid artery, the large blood vessel in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. If a narrowing or blockage is found, we usually open it with angioplasty or thrombolysis.

Thrombolytic therapy is an interventional technique that can open veins and arteries blocked by a blood clot. During angiography, the interventional radiologist identifies the exact location of the blood clot and injects clot bursting drugs directly into it to restore blood flow. We often follow up this treatments with angioplasty or stenting to hold open the treated artery or vein.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop within the uterus, most commonly in women of childbearing age. Their size, location and type can contribute to pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. UFE is a new and highly-effective alternative to hysterectomy that eliminates fibroids without removing the uterus. We use ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to confirm the presence of uterine fibroids. During UFE, the interventional radiologist inserts a catheter into an artery through a tiny incision at the top of the thigh.

Varicocele embolization is an image-guided procedure that uses a catheter to place tiny coils and/or a liquid substance in a blood vessel to divert blood flow away from a varicocele. A varicocele is an enlarged vein in a male's scrotum with reversed or stagnant blood flow. It can cause pain, swelling and infertility. A clinical examination can confirm the presence of a varicocele and an ultrasound examination may allow further evaluation of the findings. Varicocele embolization safely relieves that pain and swelling and may improve sperm quality for infertile couples.