Women’s Health Interventions
The Interventional Radiologists at Triad Radiologist Associates are experts in providing advanced diagnostic imaging and specialized, minimally invasive treatments for many common health conditions in women. By taking advantage of sophisticated medical imaging, our Radiologists are able to treat painful and chronic conditions in women without performing major surgery. Some of the treatments we provide include:
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally-invasive treatment for fibroid tumors (also known as leiomyomas), which are benign (noncancerous) tumors that arise from the muscular wall of the uterus. In most cases, fibroid tumors cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure on the bladder or bowel. UFEs give women an option other than a hysterectomy or myomectomy.
During a UFE procedure, the Interventional Radiologist will make a small nick in the skin of the groin area so a thin, flexible tube (catheter) can be inserted into the uterine artery. Small particles, which are then injected into the catheter, will shrink and kill the fibroids, allowing the uterus to recover. Nearly 90% of women with fibroids experience relief of their symptoms after this procedure.
Ovarian vein embolization is a minimally-invasive treatment for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS), a chronic condition caused by enlarged varicose veins in the pelvis or lower abdomen. This procedure helps to relieve chronic pelvic pain by using imaging guidance and a catheter to close off faulty veins so they can no longer enlarge with blood.
During the procedure, an Interventional Radiologist inserts a catheter through a small skin nick in the groin into the faulty veins. Coils and a scarring solution are delivered through the catheter directly into the faulty veins to close them off. Following the procedure, most women experience relief from chronic pelvic pain.
Interventional Radiology
Pudendal nerve blocks are a non-surgical, image-guided treatment for chronic pain. Pudendal nerve blocks use a local anesthetic and steroids to block a pain signal in the pudendal nerve, which is located in the pelvis near the tailbone behind the sacrospinous ligament. The pudendal nerve provides the majority of the sensations and functions of the external genitals, urethra, anus, sphincter, sphincter muscles of the bladder, and the perineum.These nerve blocks can help in the diagnosis as well as sometimes the treatment of chronic pelvic pain conditions in women, such as vaginal pain.
Triad Radiology offers Women’s Health Interventions at a variety of locations, including hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics. Contact us if you want to learn more or schedule an appointment.
