Interventional Radiology

We’re here to help. Please reach out with any questions or concerns about our services.

 

CALL 203.276.2362


Our Approach

Interventional radiology is a subspecialty of medicine that uses CAT scans, ultrasounds, and other imaging tools to perform advanced minimally invasive procedures. This cutting-edge field is often thought of as the most minimally invasive of all surgical subspecialties, often allowing patients to avoid traditional surgery.

All Stamford Health interventional radiologists are board-certified by the American Board of Radiology and undergo extensive training to diagnose and treat an ever-growing number of conditions, such as vascular disease, pain management, and uterine fibroid embolization.

Interventional radiology procedures are typically performed at the main hospital campus. Many procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, but may require one to three hours of recovery time at the hospital. If the patient is being sedated, a ride home is necessary.

A few of the many benefits of interventional radiology procedures include less pain, shorter recovery times, and lower risk of complications.

Meet Our Team

Steven M Bernstein
Diagnostic Radiology

(203) 276-2663

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David S Klein
Diagnostic Radiology

(203) 276-2663

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Bryan M. Lazzara
Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology, Diagnostic Radiology

(203) 276-2362

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Todd S Miller
Neurointerventional Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology

(203) 276-2362

Josef  Noga
Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology

(203) 276-2362

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Interventional Radiology Procedures Offered

Our Interventional radiologists perform many high-tech, and often lifesaving, procedures. For more information, ask your physician or contact us at 203.276.2362.


  • EMBOLIZATION
    A procedure to stop hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding).
  • GASTROINTESTINAL & BILIARY INTERVENTIONS
    We perform gallbladder drainages, biliary drainage and stents, as well as the insertion of feeding tubes. 
  • GENITOURINARY
    Including nephrostomy and ureter stents, these clear or divert kidney obstructions.
  • ONCOLOGY
    Procedures include simple biopsies, port-a-cath (chest port) placement and management, chemoembolization (TACE) of tumors, radioembolization (Y90) of tumors, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of tumors.
  • PAIN MANAGEMENT
    Including nerve blocks and nerve ablation for chronic pain related to cancer.
  • PORTAL HYPERTENSION
    We perform transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), and transjugular liver biopsy and pressure measurements.
  • SPINE PROCEDURES
    In addition to kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty to treat compression spine fractures and myelography to evaluate for spinal stenosis, our radiologists are experienced in procedures including SpineJack to correct vertebral height and to prevent the vertebral body from collapsing again. This non-invasive method uses image guidance to restore the shape of the vertebrae.
  • THROMBECTOMY FOR STROKE
    Our thrombectomy for stroke procedure is available 24/7 and can prevent death or nursing home admission for many ischemic stroke patients. Additionally, we have around-the-clock neuro hospitalist coverage.
  • TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR (TPA) FOR STROKE
    This “clot-busting” drug is administered within four-and-a-half hours of stroke onset to restore blood flow to the brain and improve symptoms.
  • UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION (UFE)

    Also known as uterine artery embolization, this treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids is a nonsurgical and minimally invasive therapy that preserves the uterus with little to no blood loss.

    Read more about it below

  • VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENTS
    Including laser therapy of leaky veins, sclerotherapy of spider veins, and venous embolization of large varicose veins.
  • VASCULAR ACCESS FOR LONG-TERM IV THERAPY DIALYSIS
    When needed, our interventional radiologists are experienced in catheter placement and management along with fistula evaluation and management.
  • VASCULAR DISEASE
    Procedures include angioplasty and stent placement to open blocked or narrowed veins and arteries, blood clot removal (thrombolysis and thrombectomy) of arteries or veins, and IVC filter placement and removal.



Uterine Fibroid Embolization

In recent years, there has been considerable research aimed at developing less invasive alternatives to fibroid surgery. One such therapy, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), has shown to be very effective in controlling fibroid symptoms. Stamford Health offers nonsurgical and minimally invasive therapy to treat fibroid symptoms.


  • WHAT IS UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION?
    Also called uterine artery embolization (UAE), this approach preserves the uterus with little to no blood loss. The procedure involves placing a small catheter tube into the artery of the upper leg and then feeding it into the uterine artery, which supplies the fibroid tumors with blood. To block blood to the fibroids, tiny beads are injected into the artery, leading to significant fibroid shrinkage, thus alleviating symptoms.  

    The doctor performs this procedure under live X-ray with contrasts. It takes about an hour and is completed under moderate sedation (you're neither fully awake nor asleep).
  • WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE?
    In most cases, you can return home the same day. You'll be able to eat right after the procedure, and walk around after a few hours of rest.

    Pain from UFE is caused from the fibroid tumor muscle dying and usually feels like a very bad menstrual cramp. While pain tends to be the worst the night of the procedure, it's usually significantly better by the following day and doesn't last more than about four days.

    Also common is a mild degree of "post-embolization syndrome," or a flu-like bug with a mild temperature, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, which can last a week.

    Many return to work within one to two weeks and are given medications to put any pain at bay from the comfort of home.
  • IS UFE A PERMANENT SOLUTION?
    In a majority of cases, women are permanently cured of uterine fibroid symptoms. UFE has been performed safely for more than 20 years to hundreds of thousands of women and is highly recommended by both the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society of Interventional Radiology.
  • HOW WILL UFE IMPACT A PERSON’S SEX DRIVE OR ABILITY TO GET PREGNANT?
    Despite the concerns, many women note either improved or unchanged sex drive after the procedure, without any negative impact. Only in rare cases could UFE have an adverse effect on a woman's sex life.

    You can, indeed, still get pregnant after having had UFE. While it's not a fertility procedure, conception rates after UFE are similar to the main surgical alternative (myomectomy). However, we recommend waiting 6 months before trying to conceive. This is because the tissues need to return to a more normal state for the procedure to have taken full effect.
  • CAN UFE HELP THOSE WITH ADENOMYOSIS?
    Adenomyosis is a non-malignant condition in which there exists an abnormal amount of endometrial tissue (inner lining of uterus) within the myometrium (thicker, more muscular layer of the uterus). While different from fibroids tumors, adenomyosis can also cause heavy periods and increased bleeding. The standard treatment has been hysterectomy, but 75% of those with adenomyosis can be cured with UFE.

GET IN TOUCH

We’re here to help you understand this procedure that can dramatically improve your quality of life.

Call us at 203.276.2362 or EMAIL US

Stamford Hospital Radiology

1 Hospital Plaza
Stamford, CT 06902
203.276.2602


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