What is Vascular & Interventional Radiology

Leading the way in the development of minimally invasive surgical alternatives is the subspecialty field of Vascular & Interventional Radiology. Commonly referred to as VIR, this field has developed as a branch of radiology offering not only diagnostic, but also therapeutic procedures. Over the past two decades, the continuous improvement in advanced digital imaging techniques and equipment such as micro-catheters and guide wires have propelled the Interventional Radiologist to the forefront of health care delivery. Interventional Radiologist continues to pioneer new and innovative treatment. These procedures help minimize invasiveness, and recovery times while offering improved outcomes when compared to traditional alternatives.

Interventional Radiology versus Traditional Surgery
Rather than an open surgical procedure, the Interventional Radiologist can often achieve the same or better results by manipulating catheters through the body to the site of disease to deliver therapeutic treatment. Using imaging guidance with ultrasound, CT scans and MRI, catheters and other micro-surgical devices can be inserted into blood vessels and other parts of the body. Conventional X-rays are then used to guide these devices to the exact pinpoint location of disease, often far removed from the site of entry. Medical treatment can then be delivered with a high degree of accuracy to the diseased organ or system. Interventional Radiologists are highly skilled, extensively trained physicians who can access virtually any part of the human body through a tiny pinhole in the skin.

At Ocean Medical Center, the Interventional Radiology team offers the full spectrum of minimally invasive services with a new state-of-the-art Interventional Radiology Procedure Suite and fellowship-trained Interventional Radiologist on staff. Ocean can offer complex VIR procedures that were previously available only at larger university hospitals.

Some of the procedures available (but are not limited to):

• Uterine Fibroid Embolization
• Arterial Embolization for acute internal bleeding
• Angiography and Angioplasty for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial disease
• TIPS procedure for chronic liver disease
• Image guided biopsy of virtually any organ
• Venous Access (including PICC lines, central lines, dialysis catheters and implanted ports for chemotherapy delivery)
• Nephrostomy tubes for obstructed kidneys
• Drainage of abscesses or any other fluid collections
• Feeding tubes
• Radio-frequency tumor ablation (where tumors are eradicated by inserting a needle through the skin directly into the site of the cancer)

What We Offer
Interventional Radiology truly represents the future of medicine and is available today at the Medical Center. Patients at Ocean have access to university level services and alternative treatments with the convenience of a community oriented hospital right here at home in central New Jersey.

For any questions regarding Interventional Radiology services available at Ocean Medical Center, please contact the Imaging Services Department at
(732) 836-4046.