Interventional Radiology Procedures

PERIPHERAL ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATIONS

PROCEDURE INFORMATION :
Ateriovenous Malformations or AVM are benign congenital conditions that affect the blood vessels.

There are several types that vary in complexity and severity. If you or your family have been diagnosed with a non-neurological (outside the brain) AVM, a group of specialists at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio can evaluate your condition and discuss potential treatment options including surgery, and non-surgical options such as the embolization.

Please contact Jessica Esquivel at 210-567-5564 for further information or to schedule an appointment with our group of experienced Interventional Radiologist.

UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION (UFE)

PROCEDURE INFORMATION :
UFE (uterine fibroid embolization) is a non-surgical treatment performed by an Interventional Radiologist. Uterine fibroid embolization is another approach for the treatment of uterine fibroids that blocks the arterial blood flow to the fibroids. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it requires a tiny incision in the groin and passes a small tube called a catheter through the artery. It is performed while the patient is conscious, but sedated. Once the uterine artery is reached, the interventional radiologist slowly releases tiny particles the size of a grain of sand into the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroid. This blocks the blood flow to the fibroid and causes it to shrink.

Generally, there is an overnight stay at the hospital. Post-procedural pain is controlled through the use of a combination of pain medications. Ninety-nine (99%) of the women who have this procedure usually go home after one night. Recovery is short 1-2 weeks. Most women are up and around in a couple of days. The majority return to work after one week of recovery. The fibroids decrease in size over 2-3 months after the procedure.

1. A consultation is required from your OBGYN doctor, with copies of the patient’s last 2 clinical visits.

2. Results of a recent pap smear.

3. If a patient has large amounts of bleeding, a recent (within 2 months) endometrial biopsy result will be necessary.

4. Negative pregnancy test.

5. Baseline ultrasound or MRI is required ( This will be performed in our facility).

6. Authorization from Health Insurance with approval for the procedure.

7. You may fax the request/consultation to 210-567-0458 or you can call Terry Brown, NP at 210-567-1475 for a consultation appointment.

8. After discharge from the hospital, a clinic visit in 2 weeks for evaluation.

9. US evaluation at 1 month, 3 months, and 6-month post procedure.

UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION

PROCEDURE INFORMATION :

Uterine fibroids or Myomas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors of the uterus that are very common in women. Most of the women have no symptoms but when the fibroids grow excessively or are located in the inner or outer surfaces of the uterus, they can cause pain, pressure, excessive bleeding, difficulties getting pregnant or keeping the pregnancy.

For the majority of patients with fibroids that require treatment, a minimally invasive, nonsurgical option is the Uterine Fibroid Embolization or UFE, available in San Antonio. This procedure consists of getting a small catheter through the arteries of the groin under fluoroscopic (x-ray) visualization and injecting tiny spheres that decrease the circulation (embolization) to the fibroids, resulting in slow and progressive atrophy of the tumors. Most women are discharged the day after the procedure and return to normal activities after a week or so. More information about this procedure can be found at www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=ufe and www.sirweb.org/patients/uterine-fibroids/

At the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, our experienced team of Interventional Radiologist performs these procedures. Please contact our Interventional Radiology office for more information at 210-567-5564.

VERTEBRAL FRACTURES

PROCEDURE INFORMATION :

Most vertebral fractures are caused by minor traumas such as falls or lifting a heavy object in patients with demineralized bones (osteoporosis). In most patients the pain is severe, incapacitating, and can carry severe life-threatening consequences due to physical inactivity or prolonged bed rest.

For many patients with Compression Vertebral Fractures, minimally invasive techniques are available at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Our team of Interventional Radiologist would be happy to sit down with you and your family to discuss options for treatment, including Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty procedures, where special cement is injected directly into the weakened bone with almost immediate relief of the pain and return to your normal activities.

Please contact our Interventional Radiology office for more information at 210-567-5564.