In Calgary, our interventional radiologists use medical imaging to perform minimally-invasive procedures that treat conditions like an enlarged prostate or uterine fibroids. Certain procedures are performed by Mayfair radiologists at Mayfair Diagnostics’ clinics while others are performed in hospitals.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Interventional radiology (IR) involves the use of small catheter tubes and wires, or small needles, to precisely target areas of concern. This is sometimes called a pinhole procedure and can be an alternative to open and laparoscopic surgery. IR can reduce risks of complications, provide shorter hospital stays, and enable quicker convalescence and return to work, compared to open surgery.

In-hospital IR procedures are performed after a consultation with Mayfair’s IR radiologists. After a physician or specialist sends us a consultation request, we work closely with specialists, referring physicians, and patients to determine what procedure is best suited to each patient’s medical history.

PROCEDURES

Breast and thyroid biopsies examine a specific area of the breast or thyroid for abnormalities. A needle is used to take a small tissue sample, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. These procedures are performed in Mayfair Diagnostics clinics.

Image-guided pain therapy uses X-ray and ultrasound to guide treatment for chronic pain by allowing Mayfair physicians to precisely inject medication through a small needle, or perform treatment on soft tissues. These procedures are performed in Mayfair Diagnostics clinics.

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) shrinks an enlarged prostate by non-surgically blocking the arteries that feed the gland. In a hospital setting, an interventional radiologist uses X-ray guidance to move a small plastic tube into the small arteries which are feeding the prostate and inject tiny plastic particles to block them and starve the prostate of its blood supply, shrinking it. Read this article to learn how PAE compares to a common surgical option.