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.

Vein Ablation Vein ablation is a non-surgical, outpatient procedure to treat varicose veins, also known as venous insufficiency.

Vascular malformation is a general term that includes congenital vascular anomalies of only veins, only lymph vessels, both veins and lymph vessels, or both arteries and veins. Venous malformation (VM) Veins are part of the circulatory system that moves blood through the body. Veins carry blood from the body back to the heart. The heart pumps the blood through the lungs so that it can pick up oxygen. The body uses oxygen to make energy. Venous malformations (VMs) occur when veins do not form normally. VMs can be completely isolated from normal veins or can drain into them.

What is Venous Reconstruction? The techniques used to reconstruct veins include: Venopasty– a balloon is inflated inside a narrowed vein to widen the walls of the vein so that blood can flow properly Stenting– a small metal, mesh tube is inserted into a narrowed vein to support and open the walls of the vein so that blood can pass through

We can treat back pain and fractures in a number of ways, including stabilizing the bone through techniques like kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty and sacroplasty and through pain-relieving epidural steroid injections. Vertebroplasty Inova vascular and interventional radiologists use vertebroplasty to stabilize compression fractures in the spine caused by osteoporosis. They physician inserts a needle about the size of a cocktail straw through the skin and into the fractured vertebra, using X-ray imaging to guide it to the correct spot.

Interventional Radiology Services: Conditions and Treatments Follow the links below to learn more about specific minimally invasive procedures or conditions that can be treated by IR procedures.