Interventional radiology is a subspecialty of radiology, which involves minimally invasive procedures, performed using image-guidance for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Interventional Radiologists use their expertise in reading X-rays, ultrasounds and other medical images to guide small instruments such as catheters (tubes that measure just a few millimeters in diameter) through the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease through the skin.

Interventional radiology procedures are an advance in medicine that replace open surgical procedures because these procedures are typically much less invasive and much less costly than traditional surgery. They are generally easier for the patient because they involve no large incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times. 

Some of the other advantages of interventional radiology are that most procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis or require only a short hospital stay, and general anesthesia usually is not required.

Princeton Radiology currently offers the following interventional radiology procedures at our private, outpatient facility in Monroe:

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy is preformed using a needle and ultrasound imaging to locate and remove some cells from a suspicious area in the breast. These cells are then sent to a lab to determine if they are benign or cancerous.

Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy is preformed using a needle and ultrasound imaging to locate and remove some cells from a suspicious area called a "nodule" in the thyroid gland. These cells are then sent to a lab for examination to determine if they are benign or cancerous.

Ultrasound Paracentesis is a procedure which involves the extraction of fluid from the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen using a needle and ultrasound imaging for guidance. The fluid collected is sent to a lab for analysis. Unexplained fluid in the abdomen is most commonly caused by liver cirrhosis.

Additional Procedures Offered at the University Medical Center at Princeton.