Interventional Radiology

Advances in imaging technology have created a new specialty for physicians. And new choices for patients.

The University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago is home to a team of physicians who use imaging technology to dramatically reduce the pain, risk and recovery time for patients they treat for a growing range of conditions, including varicose veins and uterine fibroids. These specialists, called Interventional Radiologists, replace traditional surgery with minimally invasive techniques and small instruments to give their patients A Higher Level of Care.

Medical professionals around the country know us for our partnership with the nation’s largest medical school, and the fact that we boast Chicago’s largest group of physicians in one location. Many of these doctors have a far more personal connection. They know us as the place to send their most critically ill patients for the specialized expertise and advanced technology that can make a lifesaving difference. Shouldn’t you know us too?

Minimally Invasive Techniques Target Common Conditions. And Yield Extraordinary Results.

Guided by sophisticated imaging technology, the Interventional Radiologist (IR) is advancing a revolution in surgery. IRs can maneuver small instruments through blood vessels and other pathways to diagnose and treat a range of conditions. Minimally Invasive Techniques Target Common Conditions. And Yield Extraordinary Results.

Shrinking the Tumor. Reducing the Recovery Time.
Two areas where IR is making a difference are uterine fibroids and varicose veins. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that often develop in the wall of the uterus. In a safe, minimally invasive procedure called uterine fibroid embolization, the IR makes a quarter-inch nick in the patient’s skin and uses real-time imagery to navigate a catheter through an artery to the uterus. Tiny particles are then released, blocking the flow of blood, shrinking the tumor and lessening the symptoms. Most patients return to normal activity within 10 days, and very rarely do the fibroids return.

Dr. Bui using ultrasound guidance to localize for needle placement.

In the Same Vein…
Arteries carry blood from the heart; veins carry it back, working as valves to keep the blood from flowing backwards. A weakened valve can let blood leak back into the vein, collect there, and cause it to enlarge, forming varicose veins. While for many, varicose veins are only a cosmetic concern, for others, they cause aching pain and may signal a higher risk of circulatory problems.

Traditional surgery is painful, with a long recovery time and a high chance of recurrence. IRs achieve a higher success rate, lower recurrence and far less pain than surgery using a targeted treatment called vein ablation. During the procedure, the IR guides a small catheter through a vein in the thigh. Heat generated by laser or radio frequency is then applied to the inside of the vein, sealing it shut. It takes less than an hour and lets the patient return to normal activity immediately.

The Future Is Looking Bright.
Liver cancer and deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein) are among a growing list of conditions, many of them serious, where minimally invasive interventional radiology is a viable alternative to traditional surgery. As that list continues to grow, more and more patients will be able to choose an alternative to traditional surgery—and now have direct access to the University of Illinois Medical Center’s specialists who provide it.