Community Connection: New Health Service Added

Interventional Radiology Available at McKenzie Health

by Leszek Jaszczak, MD

I have been recently hired by McKenzie Health to provide radiology and interventional radiology services in Watford City.

I have been practicing in this region for 25 years and many of you may know me from Williston, North Dakota. I wanted to give readers an overview of new interventional radiology procedures offered, or soon-to-be offered, at McKenzie Health.

Interventional Radiology (IR) is a specialized field within medicine that focuses on minimally invasive procedures guided by medical imaging. These procedures allow both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions through small incisions or body orifices. Let’s delve into the world of IR and explore its techniques, benefits, and applications.

Techniques and Procedures

Interventional radiologists perform a wide range of procedures using various imaging modalities, including:

• X-ray Fluoroscopy: This real-time imaging technique allows precise guidance during procedures. It’s commonly used for angioplasty, stent placement, and embolization.
• Computed Tomography (CT): CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images, aiding in procedures like biopsies, drainage, and tumor ablation.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound-guided procedures include biopsies, fluid drainage, and vascular access.

Diagnostic vs. Therapeutic Procedures

1. Diagnostic IR Procedures:

• • Image-Guided Biopsy: Precise sampling of tissue for diagnosis and to aid treatment.
  • Contrast Agent Injection: Used to visualize blood vessels, organs, or ducts. This demonstrates regions of narrowing or blockage.
  • Cholangiography: Imaging of the bile ducts of the liver.
  • Percutaneous Drainage: Removal of fluid collections (e.g., cysts and abscesses).

2. Therapeutic IR Procedures:

• Catheter-Based Medicine Delivery: Targeted drug delivery to specific areas.
• Embolization: Blocking blood flow to tumors or abnormal vessels.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: Destroying tumors using heat.
• Vertebral Augmentation: This procedure involves injecting bone cement into fractured vertebrae to stabilize them. It provides pain relief for patients with vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis or malignancy.
• Nerve Blocks: Interventional radiologists perform neurolysis in hard-to- reach areas of the body, such as the celiac plexus (abdomen) and hypogastric plexus (pelvis). By intentionally damaging nerves using medications, they decrease pain signals sent to the brain.
• Joint injection: Guided injection of large and small joints throughout the body with high accuracy.
• Epidural steroid injection: Epidural injections of the neck, thoracic and lumbar spine.

Benefits of Interventional Radiology

1. 1. 1. Minimally Invasive: IR procedures require only small incisions, reducing risks, pain, and recovery time compared to open surgery.
      2. Precision: Real-time imaging ensures accurate placement of catheters, stents, or needles.
      3. Access to Deep Structures: IR reaches deep within the body without major incisions.
      4. Reduced Radiation Exposure: Although IR uses imaging, the exposure is generally lower than traditional X-rays.

Pain Management and Beyond

Interventional radiologists play a crucial role in pain management. They can perform nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and vertebroplasty for painful spine fractures, common in the elderly with osteoporosis. Additionally, IR treats conditions like uterine fibroids and liver and bone tumors.

In summary, IR combines cutting-edge imaging technology with precise interventions, revolutionizing patient care across various medical conditions, often reducing or eliminating the need for opioid medication. Interventional radiology’s role in pain management is critical, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and a safer alternative to long-term opioid therapy.