Interventional Radiology Center

Diagnosing and treating every patient with the least invasive technique available is our goal at Spokane Urology. That’s why we’re pleased to provide Interventional Radiology (IR) for some procedures.

Many conditions that once required surgery can now be treated with interventional radiology. IR treatments are minimally invasive. When compared to open surgery, minimally invasive IR treatments result in:

• Less risk of complications
• Less pain
• Faster recovery

Embolization is a minimally invasive treatment that blocks one or more blood vessels or abnormal vascular channels. Carefully guided by radiologic imaging like ultrasounds, X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI scans, interventional radiologists perform the procedure using small tools like catheters and wires. IR treatments are available for these conditions:

• Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) for BPH or enlarged prostate.
• Varicoceles: A condition where the veins in the scrotum become enlarged and twisted, similar to varicose veins in the legs.
• Nephrostomy Tube Placement: A temporary tube that allows urine to flow into a nephrostomy bag until a kidney stone has passed.
• Suprapubic Tube Placement

By using x-ray or other imaging techniques to guide instruments, IR has these benefits:

• Risk of complications is minimal
• Less pain than open surgery
• General anesthesia (deep sleep) is not needed for many procedures
• Fast recovery, home the same day
• Convenient, easy in-and-out facility
• Specially trained physicians. Interventional radiologists are medical doctors with six or more years of additional training.

Spokane Urology partners with Inland Imaging to provide interventional radiology services to our patients.