Interventional Radiology

Image-Guided Therapy for Diagnosis and Treatment

Interventional radiology (IR) uses medical imaging tools (ultrasound, fluoroscopy and CT scans) to guide both the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions involving every organ system in the body. This advanced technology helps the doctors use cutting-edge techniques to target problems with precision. IR allows children to undergo the least invasive, least traumatic method necessary to help them get better — with tiny incisions, short recovery times and less pain.

Learn More About Interventional Radiology

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Conditions We Treat

Our interventional radiologists are specially trained in anatomy and image guidance. We use small tools and precise imaging to diagnose and treat problems with the lymphatic system and vascular (or circulatory) system, as well as other disorders.

At Nemours we see a full spectrum of conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending upon the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.

abscess (a buildup of pus under the skin, usually caused by an infection)
ascites (extra fluid buildup in the abdomen)
biliary stenosis (narrowing of the tubes that carry bile — a liquid that helps to break down food during digestion — out of the liver)
cancer (such as bone and vascular tumors)
esophageal stricture (narrowing of the esophagus, a muscular tube in the chest that takes food to the stomach)
feeding intolerance (problems with eating)
feeding tube problems
hypersalivation/drooling (too much saliva production)
joint pain
lymphatic duct anomalies (abnormalities in the lymphatic system)
pleural effusion (extra fluid buildup around the lungs)
stenosis (abnormal narrowing in a canal or blood vessel)
thrombosis (blood clot formation within a vein)
vascular anomalies (problems with blood and lymph vessels)

Services We Offer

Our interventional radiologists use imaging techniques like these to produce real-time images:

computed axial tomography (CAT or CT) scans (which use a special doughnut-shaped X-ray machine to provide cross-sectional views of a certain part of the body. Our XperCT equipment reduces exposure to radiation by up to 80 percent.)
fluoroscopy (like a moving X-ray — used to view movement in a certain area of the body in real time)
ultrasound (using sound waves to create images of internal structures of a certain part of the body)

These imaging techniques guide our interventional radiologists as they perform procedures such as:

angiography (to study inside of blood vessels and treat things like narrowings or aneurysms)
biopsy (taking a small tissue sample of a tumor or organ)
cryoablation (using freezing cold temperatures to kill tumors)
esophageal dilatation (stretches a narrowed area of the esophagus to allow food to be swallowed)
diagnostic/therapeutic injections (to locate and treat pain at the source)
drainage of an abscess (infection) or extra fluid buildup in the lungs or abdomen
gastroenterology (digestive health) procedures
inserting a central line (a long, thin, flexible tube that’s placed into the larger veins of the neck or groin and travels to a large blood vessel near the heart)
inserting balloon catheters and stents (to open narrow blood vessels and valves)
joint aspirations or injections (for injury, arthritis or inflammation)
lumbar puncture (inserting a needle into the spinal canal to diagnose or treat specific conditions)
microwave ablation (uses electromagnetic waves to treat cancer to destroy cancerous tumors)
radiofrequency ablation (destroys cancerous cells by heating nerve tissues with small doses of electric current)
salivary gland Botox injection (to reduce the production of too much saliva)
thrombolysis (dissolves abnormal blood clots)
tube insertion (such as chest tubes and feeding tubes)
tumor embolization (cuts off blood flow to a tumor)
vascular anomaly sclerotherapy/embolization (closes off abnormal blood vessels)
Y90 radioembolization (delivers radiation treatment and cuts off blood flow to liver tumors)

Why Choose Us

At Nemours, our team includes many of the country’s leading board-certified pediatric radiologists, as well as certified technologists, sedation specialists and Child Life specialists who are experts in providing age-appropriate support to children who may be scared or anxious. Our care includes:

one of the largest pediatric interventional radiology program in the country (with teams in the Delaware Valley and Florida)
cutting-edge treatment and technology (the most advanced pediatric interventional radiology services available)

top-notch physicians (who participate on numerous local and national committees representing the specialty in the largest national societies including the American College of Radiology, the Society for Pediatric Radiology and the Society of Interventional Radiology)
comprehensive oncology support (working closely with our local and national team to provide the most advanced cancer treatment options)
one of the only programs in the country performing advanced liver procedures in children (including radioembolization of liver tumors with Y90 to cut off blood flow to tumors; and chronic portal vein recanalization to restore flow to a vein that carries blood to the liver)
liver transplant and tumor experience (working with local and national liver transplant and liver tumor programs)
vascular anomaly expertise (leading and working with local, state and national vascular anomaly teams)
seamless, coordinated care with on-site physicians in more than 30 pediatric specialties

Regional Pediatric Interventional Radiology Highlights

Services, programs and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.

Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia

We offer interventional radiology services at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Del.).

one of the nation’s only pediatric interventional radiologist trained and experienced in using an advanced alternative liver tumor therapy, “transarterial radioembolization with Yttrium-90” (also called “TARE-Y90” or “Y90”)
American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation (the gold standard in medical imaging) for CT, MRI, ultrasound and PET MRI imaging (positron emission tomography with magnetic resonance, or PET/MR) — assures the highest level of image quality and safety
integration with world-class programs (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, orthopedics)
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware , right across from our campus, for an affordable home away from home during long hospital stays

Central Florida

We offer medical imaging services at Nemours Children’s Hospital (Orlando).

American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation (the gold standard in medical imaging) for CT and ultrasound — assures the highest level of image quality and safety
awarded grants and research funding of more than $ 1.2 million recently (used to purchase the best technology as well as funding important research and advancements to shape the treatments of tomorrow)
groundbreaking spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) therapy and research (working closely with the SMA team in the development and trial for SPINRAZA, which has altered the natural history of a deadly childhood disease that before had no effective treatment options)
integration with world-class programs (brain and spinal cord injuries, diseases of the nervous system, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy)
Ronald McDonald House on campus, for an affordable home away from home during long hospital stays

Northeast Florida

We offer interventional radiology services at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville (in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital).

American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation (the gold standard in medical imaging) for CT and ultrasound — assures the highest level of image quality and safety
the only pediatric interventional radiologists in North Florida
Ronald McDonald House , for an affordable home away from home during long hospital stays