Interventional radiology for a woman’s whole health journey

Allegheny Health Network

At AHN Women’s Health Institute, OB-GYN providers are consulting interventional radiology (IR) to expand minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment options for patients with complex pelvic and uterine conditions.

IR diagnostic capabilities

AHN’s comprehensive diagnostic capabilities allow patients to get answers about their health and start treatment sooner—all leading to better outcomes.

In addition to CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound, we are proud to offer several advanced IR diagnostic imaging techniques including:

• Arteriograms: X-rays combined with contrast dye are used to visualize arteries during the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids and postpartum hemorrhage.
• Venograms: Pelvic venography provides detailed images of pelvic veins, helping providers assess venous insufficiency and treat pelvic congestion syndrome. Venography is also used to treat other complications seen in the post-operative period such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involving the extremities and pulmonary embolism (PE).
• Hysterosalpingograms: Contrast dye is used to evaluate infertility by identifying blockages in the fallopian tubes or abnormalities in the uterine cavity.

Minimally invasive, targeted treatment

AHN Women’s Health Institute is continually expanding its IR offerings to meet evolving OB-GYN needs. These IR-guided procedures offer targeted, minimally invasive alternatives to major surgery, often resulting in shorter recovery times and reduced perioperative risk.

As a Center of Excellence for uterine fibroids — a condition that affects more than 70% of women*—AHN offers uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a procedure that uses a guide catheter to distribute particles that block the blood flow in the uterine arteries to reduce fibroid size. Studies show nearly 90% of UFE patients experience significant or complete resolution of their fibroid pain and symptoms.** AHN also offers laparoscopic myomectomy techniques for uterine fibroid treatment. Similarly, uterine artery embolization is also used in instances of postpartum hemorrhage, oftentimes sparing the patient from a hysterectomy.

Additional IR treatments at AHN Women’s Health Institute include:

Fallopian tube recanalization: Addresses female subfertility by unblocking fallopian tubes using a catheter and guidewire.

Gonadal vein embolization: Alleviates symptoms like pain and discomfort stemming from pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) by using a catheter and x-ray imaging to block the gonadal veins and reduce blood flow in the pelvic area.

Mechanical thrombectomy: Treats deep vein thrombosis in the pelvis and extremities — even pulmonary embolism in the lungs — using a catheter and device to remove blood clots.

Image-guided biopsies and drainage procedures: Imaging guidance using CT scans and ultrasound enable precise placement of needles or catheters for biopsies and drainage procedures—facilitating faster diagnosis and recovery while minimizing infection risk compared to conventional surgery approaches.

How to refer

From the first diagnosis to a comprehensive treatment plan, AHN Women’s Health Institute is using minimally invasive techniques to maximize results. To refer a patient for advanced IR diagnostics or treatment, call 1-833-VIR-RAD1 (1-833-847-7231).

*Source: Comprehensive Review of Uterine Fibroids: Developmental Origin, Pathogenesis, and Treatment. NIH.gov.

**Source: UFE Risks & Benefits. fibroid.com.