Interventional radiologists are experienced in treating a wide range of liver conditions including bile duct obstruction, cholecystitis, portal hypertension and liver cancer. When diagnosing and treating liver diseases, our interventional radiologist will use advanced imaging to guide a small tube (catheter) to deliver the proper treatment. This allows for quicker recovery and discharge. Procedures include Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic (TIPS), transjugular liver biopsy, and biliary stenting,
Conditions and how they're treated
- Conditions Treated: Gastric varices, portal hypertension, encephalopathy
- Reason for Procedure: Patients with liver disease and high pressure in the portal veins can develop varices (abnormal veins) and portosystemic shunts (i.e splenorenal shuts), which are abnormal communications from portal veins to systemic veins. These shunts bypass the filtering function of the liver, which can lead to a buildup of toxins, causing confusion, also known as hepatic encephalopathy. By blocking these veins and portosystemic shunts, we can reduce the risk of bleeding and minimize confusion.
- How It’s Performed: An Interventional Radiologist accesses a vein usually in the leg or neck. Catheters are advanced into the abnormal veins and contrast is used study the veins. These abnormal veins can then be blocked using balloons, metal coils/plugs, or other agents.
- Anesthesia: Conscious Sedation or General Anesthesia
- Recovery Time: Hospital admission may be required for several days of monitoring and follow-up CT scans to evaluate your veins.
- For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our IR physicians, please call 631-403-7088
- Conditions Treated: Ascites, cirrhosis, malignant ascites
- Reason for Procedure: Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) can be caused by liver disease and cancer, among other causes. Fluid accumulation can lead to abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. Drainage of this fluid can be performed to diagnose the cause of fluid accumulation and to provide symptomatic relief.
- How It’s Performed: An Interventional Radiologist will numb your skin and place a very small catheter needle into your abdomen to drain the fluid. Samples of the fluid will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. This procedure can be repeated as needed if the fluid reaccumulates.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia
- Recovery Time: 30 minutes
- For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our IR physicians, please call 631-403-7088
- Conditions Treated: Cirrhosis, portal hypertension, esophageal varices, refractory ascites, hepatic hydrothorax, portal vein thrombosis, Budd-Chiari Syndrome.
- Reason for Procedure: Cirrhosis and other diseases can lead to liver fibrosis and increased pressure in your portal veins. This can cause life-threatening bleeding, varices and recurrent ascites. The TIPS procedure can be performed to relieve the elevated pressure in the portal veins, stop or prevent bleeding, and reduce fluid accumulation.
- How It’s Performed: An Interventional Radiologist will access veins in your neck and leg. Small catheters will be advanced into your hepatic veins. A small needle will be advanced in your hepatic vein and will be used to puncture a portal vein under image guidance. Catheters and wires will be advanced into your portal veins. A conduit will be created between your portal vein and your hepatic veins, and a stent will be placed, thereby bypassing blood flow through the liver.
- Anesthesia: General Anesthesia
- Recovery Time: Variable. Usually will require inpatient observation for 1-2 days if elective TIPS is performed.
- For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our IR physicians, please call 631-403-7088
- Conditions Treated: Liver disease, transaminitis, cirrhosis, hepatic steatosis, liver fibrosis
- Reason for Procedure: To obtain a tissue sample and aid in diagnosing liver disease. TJLB may be performed in patients with increased risk of bleeding with percutaneous liver biopsy.
- How It’s Performed: An Interventional Radiologist will access a vein in your neck. A small catheter will be placed into one of your hepatic veins. A small needle will be advanced through the catheter into your hepatic veins, and biopsy samples will be obtained.
- Anesthesia: Conscious Sedation
- Recovery Time: 1-2 hours
- For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our IR physicians, please call 631-403-7088
