Experts at the Center for Endovascular Surgery specialize in pediatric interventional radiology. This work is done in close interdisciplinary collaboration with pediatricians, neonatalogists, radiologists, pediatric neurosurgeons and pediatric plastic surgeons.

Like its adults-only counterpart, pediatric interventional radiology performs minimally invasive treatments using imaging technology.

Pediatric interventional radiology procedures replace some traditional, open surgical procedures by allowing treatment with small incisions and less anesthesia. Patients benefit from less pain, less scarring, faster recovery and less complications.

Imaging technology that may be employed in such procedures can include:

• Computed Tomography Scan, or CT scan, which is an X-ray procedure enhanced by a computer. CT scans result in a three-dimensional view (referred to as a “slice”) of a particular part of the body.


• Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce a highly accurate view of the inside of any portion of the body. Also aided by a computer, MRI is able to produce cross-section images of bone and soft tissue from many different body angles or planes.


• Ultrasound, which uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes to produce an image of internal body structures.

Generally speaking, most interventional radiology procedures that are done on adults can be done on children and infants. Here are the typical pediatric interventional radiology procedures the Center for Endovascular Surgery performs:

• Cerebral angiography. X-rays are taken of the brain after a dye is injected into it through a catheter threaded through the groin. Brain aneurysm symptoms


• can often be evaluated this way since aneurysms can often be seen on this X-ray.


• Magnetic resonance angiography. This procedure can detect unruptured aneurysms. Similar to cerebral angiography, images are taken of the brain after a dye is injected into it through a catheter threaded through the groin.


• Embolization. This interventional radiology procedure delivers clotting agents directly to an area that is bleeding to stop or block blood flow.


• Stenting. Stainless steel or plastic mesh sleeves prop open clogged or blocked arteries and keep them from closing up again.


• Thrombolysis. This interventional procedure dissolves blood clots by injecting anti-clotting agents directly to the clot.