Marquette General Brain and Spine Center

Radiology Special Procedures -

Diagnostic Special Procedures

Arteriogram - A study of all arteries, excluding the heart, by injection of contrast media placed directly into the artery with a catheter. Includes: cerebral (carotids & vertebrals), aorta (arch, thoracic, abdominal), renals, hepatic, splenic, mesenteric (SMA, IMA, celiac), arms and legs.

Arthrogram – The study of a joint space by injection of contrast media directly into the joint space.

Biopsy – Is performed on almost any area of the body. A sampling of cells is obtained with a hollow needle directed through the skin under CT, Ultrasound or Fluoroscopy guidance to help establish a diagnosis.

CO2 angiography – Visualization of the blood vessels (primarily the abdominal aorta), using carbon dioxide, when there is a contraindication to the use of iodinated contrast media.

Cyst Aspiration – Removal of fluid or cells from a fluid filled cavity for a diagnosis.

Fistulogram/Shuntogram – The study of a hemodialysis access to evaluate patency, by injecting contrast through a catheter placed directly into the fistula/shunt.

Myelogram – Injection of contrast media directly into the cerebrospinal fluid space to evaluate for ruptured discs, spinal cord abnormalities and other injuries or diseases of the spinal cord.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Choleangiogram (PTC) – The study of the biliary tree by injection of contrast through the skin and directly into a bile duct. Used to diagnose the cause of biliary obstruction.

Pulmonary angiography – The study of the pulmonary arteries and to diagnose pulmonary emboli.

Renal Vein Renins – Sampling of blood is obtained from the veins around the kidney for the diagnosis of renal hypertension.

Spinal Puncture – Direct puncture into to the cerebrospinal fluid space, to obtain spinal fluid for laboratory analysis to assist in diagnosis of conditions related to the spine and nervous system.

Stereotactic & Ultrasound Guided Breast Core Biopsy – Cores of tissue are taken from the breast for diagnosis of malignancy and other conditions. An alternative to surgical excisional biopsy.

Venogram (Includes: arms, legs, inferior and superior venacava) – A study of the veins by direct injection of contrast media into the vein. Assists with the diagnosis of clots, blockages, malformations and for obtaining pre surgical pictures of venous flow and anatomy.

Interventional/Therapeutic Special Procedures

Aortic Stent Graft - (Performed in the Operating Room by an Interventional Radiologist) – Placement of a graft in the area of an abdominal aortic aneurysm through a percutaneous catheter instead of surgical approach.

Blood Patch - 10-20cc of the patient’s blood is placed into the epidural space over the previous spinal puncture site, to relieve post myelogram/spinal puncture headache related to suspected cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Biliary Stone Retrieval – Retrieval of residual stones following gallbladder surgery. Performed via percutaneous approach into the biliary system with special basket catheters.

Embolization - (Cerebral, renal, nasal, mesenteric) – Introduction of a substance (gelfoam, coils or particles) into a vessel to occlude it and prevent further bleeding.

Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) – Injection of a steroid and lidocaine into the epidural space of the spine, to help relieve chronic back pain.

Foreign Body Retrieval – The retrieval of foreign bodies (catheter fragments, coins) accidentally lodged within the body, by use of special snaring catheters and devices.

GDC Coiling – Introduction of coils into a cerebral aneurysm to seal off the aneurysm and as an alternate to surgical clipping and repair.

IVC Filter – Placement of a filter into the inferior vena cava to “catch” emboli and prevent them from traveling to the lungs.

Joint Injections - Injection of lidocaine and/or a steroid into a joint space for temporary relief of pain and inflammation.

PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) – Placement of a catheter into the central circulation from a puncture site in the arm, to deliver long-term intravenous medications/fluids.

Percutaneous Drainage Catheter Placement (nephrostomy, biliary, abscess) – Placement of a temporary or permanent catheter into a cavity to drain a fluid collection.

Percutaneous Feeding Tube Placement – Placement of a feeding tube through the skin and directly into the stomach or jejunum for liquid feedings in adults and children, that are not able to eat.

Permcath – A double lumen tunneled catheter that is placed through a vein in the neck and used for hemodialysis.

Pseudoaneurysm Repair – Repair of a groin pseudoaneurysm with the use of thrombin and ultrasound guidance.

PTA - (Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty) – Direct repair of a stenotic lesion in a blood vessel with the use of balloon catheters.

Stents (Carotid, Iliac, Femoral, Renal, Fistula, Biliary) – A mesh like device that is placed into a stenotic area of a blood vessel or duct to keep it open and flowing.

TIPS (Transjugular Intraheptic Portocaval Shunt) – An artificial passage made from the hepatic venous system into the general circulation to relieve hepatic congestion in patients with cirrhosis.

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) – Placement of particles into the uterine arteries for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. An alternative to surgical treatment.

Vascular Access Devices (Groshong, Ports, Quinton) – Catheters that are placed into blood vessels either by direct, subcutaneous or tunneled approach for the purpose of short or long term IV therapy.

Vascular Infusions (Pitressin,Thrombolytics, Papaverine, Chemotherapy,) – Direct placement of arterial or venous catheters for continuous or temporary infusion of drugs that stop bleeding, dissolve clots, relieve spasm or to administer chemotherapy.

Vertebroplasty – Non-surgical treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. The diseased/fractured vertebrae are filled with a sterile cement to help stabilize the area and relieve pain.