Spotlight on Interventional Radiology at Southern New Hampshire Health

It’s a specialty that many don’t know about: Interventional Radiology (IR). At Southern New Hampshire Health, specialists in IR from Southern New Hampshire Radiology Consultants use the latest imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases.

Interventional radiologists use the same imaging techniques as general radiologists, such as X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), fluoroscopy, CT (computed tomography), and ultrasound.

However, unlike general radiologists, interventional radiologists use these techniques to perform a broad range of minimally invasive procedures. “We use image guidance to perform procedures that would normally necessitate more invasive open surgical techniques. Many times, the patient ends up with a better outcome when we intervene,” Tom Alberico, MD, from Southern New Hampshire Radiology Consultants, explains.

Over the years, IR has advanced rapidly with new technology, techniques, and equipment that allow our board-certified professionals to provide cutting-edge care.

“The things that people call the ‘bread and butter’ of interventional radiology are things like biopsies, drainage of fluid collections, and vascular access such as ports and PICC lines. That is a large part of what we do, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg as far as what we are capable of,” Dr. Alberico says.

Some of the more in-depth procedures they can perform include portal vein interventions for portal hypertension, uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids, oncology interventions including ablation of liver and kidney tumors, and radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colon cancer, as well as musculoskeletal interventions such as kyphoplasty.

Most procedures by our interventional radiologists are performed in an outpatient setting and typically result in less pain, reduced risk, and shorter recovery time. These providers also offer services to patients at Elliot Health System and are open for referrals at both SolutionHealth locations.

“I wish I could just announce to the world what we do because it is amazing stuff. We often work with the providers at Southern and The Elliot to find minimally invasive solutions that can dramatically improve patient outcomes.”

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