What is Angiography?

Angiography is a medical imaging technique that is used to visualize blood vessels. It involves the injection of a contrast agent, such as iodine or barium, into the blood vessels, which makes them visible on x-ray imaging. Angiography can be used to diagnose and evaluate a wide range of conditions that affect the blood vessels, such as blockages, abnormalities, and injuries.

There are two main types of angiography: invasive angiography and non-invasive angiography. Invasive angiography involves the insertion of a small catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or arm, and the injection of contrast material through the catheter. This type of angiography provides detailed images of the blood vessels and is often used to guide interventional procedures, such as angioplasty or stenting.

Non-invasive angiography, on the other hand, does not involve the insertion of a catheter. Instead, it uses specialized imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) angiography or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), to create detailed images of the blood vessels without the need for contrast material. Non-invasive angiography is less detailed than invasive angiography, but it is a safer and less invasive option for patients.

Overall, angiography is a valuable tool for diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the blood vessels. It can provide detailed information about the structure and function of the blood vessels, which can help doctors determine the best course of treatment for their patients.

https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(16)30717-5/fulltext

What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. UFE has many advantages over other treatments for uterine fibroids, including surgical treatments such as hysterectomy or myomectomy.

One of the main advantages of UFE is that it is a minimally invasive procedure. UFE is performed through a small puncture in the skin, and it does not involve any incisions or stitches. This means that patients can recover more quickly and with less discomfort than they would with surgery. In addition, UFE can be performed on an outpatient basis, so patients do not need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Another advantage of UFE is that it has a lower risk of complications compared to surgery. Because the procedure is performed using imaging guidance, interventional radiologists can carefully control the placement of the instruments and the delivery of the treatment. This can reduce the risk of injury to surrounding tissues and organs, and it can improve the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

In addition, UFE has been shown to be an effective treatment for uterine fibroids. It can shrink or eliminate fibroids, and it can improve symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, and pressure on the bladder or rectum. This can provide significant relief for patients who are suffering from fibroid symptoms.

Overall, UFE offers many advantages over other treatments for uterine fibroids. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis, and it has a low risk of complications. In addition, UFE has been shown to be an effective treatment for fibroids

What is Genicular Artery Embolization?

Genicular artery embolization is a very interesting new procedure that is quickly gaining popularity around the world. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed by an interventional radiologist. The procedure typically takes place in a an outpatient center and generally takes about 1-2 hours to complete.

Before the procedure, the patient will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area around the foot/ankle or groin. The interventional radiologist will then use real-time x-ray imaging to guide a small catheter (tiny tube) into the genicular arteries, which are located in the knee joint.

Once the catheter is in place, the radiologist will inject a specialized embolic material into the genicular arteries. This material will block the flow of blood to the genicular nerves, effectively reducing pain signals from the knee and decreasing the inflammation around the knee.

After the procedure, the patient will be taken to a recovery area for observation. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a couple days.

Overall, genicular artery embolization is a relatively quick and simple procedure that can provide significant relief for patients with chronic knee pain. It is typically performed on an outpatient basis, and patients can often return to their normal activities within a few days.

https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(19)30821-8/pdf

https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(21)00798-3/fulltext

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00270-014-0944-8

Who was Charles Dotter?

Charles Dotter was an American radiologist who is considered the father of interventional radiology. He was born in Portland, Oregon in 1920, and he received his medical degree from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1943. His work paved the way for future generations of interventional specialists and changed healthcare around the world.

Dotter is best known for his development of angioplasty, a technique for widening narrowed or obstructed blood vessels using a small balloon catheter. He first described the technique in 1964, and he continued to refine and improve it over the next several decades. His work paved the way for the widespread use of angioplasty in the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions, including coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease.

In addition to his pioneering work in angioplasty, Dotter also made important contributions to the development of other interventional radiology techniques, including stenting and embolization. He was a highly respected member of the medical community, and he received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Gold Medal of the Society of Interventional Radiology. Dotter passed away in 1985 at the age of 64. We are happy to continue to innovate and push science forward with the history and values of of Dr. Dotter.

More reading: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC101126/

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/charles-t-dotter?lang=us

Genicular Artery Anatomy

The genicular arteries are a group of small arteries that supply blood to the knee joint. There are four genicular arteries: the superior lateral genicular artery, the superior medial genicular artery, the inferior lateral genicular artery, and the inferior medial genicular artery.

The superior lateral genicular artery and the superior medial genicular artery arise from the popliteal artery, which is the main artery of the knee. These arteries supply blood to the upper portion of the knee joint and to the muscles and tissues that surround it.

The inferior lateral genicular artery and the inferior medial genicular artery arise from the anterior tibial artery and the posterior tibial artery, respectively. These arteries supply blood to the lower portion of the knee joint and to the bones and ligaments that support it.

In addition to supplying blood to the knee joint, the genicular arteries also play an important role in the innervation of the knee. They provide blood to the genicular nerves, which are responsible for transmitting pain signals from the knee to the brain. As such, the genicular arteries are a key target in genicular artery embolization, a procedure used to treat chronic knee pain.

Classification systems have been proposed for this anatomy. For more information a great review article can be found at: https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(21)01585-2/fulltext