Interventional Radiology

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Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology (IR) is an important part of modern patient care. IR doctors are specialists who perform minimally invasive procedures to help diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. These minimally invasive procedures are performed through tiny nicks in the skin, which often are no larger than a pinhole. Through these tiny nicks, IR doctors use imaging technology to help guide them in using advanced tools within the patient’s body. These imaging technologies include x-rays, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT).

Compared to traditional “open” surgery, IR procedures have less risk, cause less pain, and have a shorter recovery time. In fact, most of these procedures allow the patient to go home the same day. An additional benefit of this minimally invasive approach is that most patients can comfortably have these procedures with sedation, which avoids the risks associated with general anesthesia. IR doctors receive at least six years of additional training after medical school in order to utilize the latest techniques and technology in tailoring a specific treatment plan for each patient.

The UAB Medicine Interventional Radiology team includes nationally and internationally recognized IR physicians, along with physician assistants, who strive to make excellence in patient care their highest priority. The IR physicians at UAB are actively involved in research to promote and advance patient care. As such, patients may be invited to participate in clinical trials, providing access to potentially life-saving techniques and treatments not yet available at other medical centers. Furthermore, the IR Clinic at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital is the area’s only outpatient IR clinic. This dedicated space gives patients an opportunity to sit with one of UAB Medicine’s IR experts to discuss their treatment options, undergo a thorough pre-procedure evaluation, and receive dedicated post-procedure follow-up care.

Each of the IR physicians at UAB Medicine is highly skilled, fellowship-trained, and board-certified by the American Board of Radiology. They are proud to offer patients a variety of minimally invasive treatment options for conditions such as:

Other Conditions & Treatments:

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement and removal
Painful spinal compression fractures
Chronic joint pain
Pain
Portal hypertension
Vascular malformations
Pulmonary arterio-venous malformation
Varicoceles
Pelvic congestion syndrome
Chronic pelvic pain in females
Biliary obstruction
Urinary obstruction
Abscess drainage
Feeding tubes
Vascular access for hemodialysis or long-term infusions
Vascular access for chemotherapy
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty
Nephrostomy
Peritoneal catheter placement
Renal transplant biopsy

The most complex IR procedures take place in one of our dedicated angiography suites in UAB Hospital, all of which feature the latest and most advanced imaging technology. Some procedures, including central venous catheters, can be performed at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital.

Speak to your physician about a referral to the UAB Interventional Radiology Clinic, or to schedule an appointment without a physician referral, please call UAB HealthFinder at 1-800-934-9999.

Care Providers

Junjian Huang, MD Interventional Radiology

Aliaksei Salei, MD Interventional Radiology

Husam El Khudari, MD Interventional Radiology

Rakesh Varma, MD Interventional Radiology

AJ Gunn, MD Interventional Radiology

Dr. Vee Prattipati, MD Diagnostic Radiology, Neuroradiology

Rachel Oser, MD Interventional Radiology

Videos

Venita Gowdy: Uterine Fibroid Embolization

A 90-plus percent success rate at treating uterine fibroids with this minimally invasive procedure means most women are able to avoid hysterectomy and avoid a four- to six-week recovery period.

Watch