Interventional Radiology

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers a full range of radiology and imaging services, including interventional radiology. This specialty involves image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions.

Interventional radiology enables us to deliver care that’s gentler on growing bodies. We accurately diagnose complex conditions while minimizing radiation exposure. These techniques also help us to deliver minimally invasive therapies with needles, helping many children avoid open surgery.

Pediatric Interventional Radiology: Why Choose Us

Children’s Hospital is among the few programs in the Western U.S. with a dedicated Board-certified interventional radiologist who specializes in treating children. Our specialist provides diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology services, often in one procedure. This approach helps your child avoid unnecessary tests and start treatments sooner. Meet our team.

Highlights of our program include:

• Best available technology: Interventional radiology procedures at Children’s Hospital use the best available ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) technology. This technology helps us carry out procedures with a level of efficiency that was previously not possible. Your child receives precise tests and treatments using the lowest necessary radiation.
• Broad range of services: These procedures help us diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including vascular anomalies and neurological disorders. Our pediatric interventional radiologist works alongside other Children’s Hospital specialists to tailor care to your child’s needs. Our coordinated approach helps your child achieve the best possible results.
• Trusted anesthesiologists: Interventional radiology procedures often require putting your child to sleep. Children’s Hospital is among the safest places for these procedures. Our pediatric anesthesiologists are world-renowned for their attention to safety and excellent outcomes.

How Does Interventional Radiology Work?

Interventional radiology uses image-guided tools to perform minimally invasive tests and procedures. Real-time imaging helps doctors precisely move tools such as catheters (tiny tubes) and needles deep inside the body. Interventional radiologists have advanced (fellowship) training in these techniques.

Catheter-based procedures can replace some types of open surgery. Our pediatric interventional radiologist uses instruments at the catheter tip to perform minimally invasive procedures. Using smaller incisions causes less pain and allows for faster healing. These procedures include advanced testing, such as taking a tissue sample (biopsy).

For needle-based procedures, doctors use imaging to guide the needle to the test or treatment area. Real-time imaging helps the interventional radiologist deliver targeted injections to a specific area.

Interventional Radiology Procedures: What to Expect

Before the procedure, we provide you and your child with information about what to expect and how to prepare. To find out more, read our radiology and imaging patient and family resources.

Catheter-based procedures

If your child needs a catheter-based procedure, here’s what happens:

1. A pediatric anesthesiologist delivers medications that put your child to sleep and temporarily block sensation.
2. The interventional radiologist inserts a needle near the test or treatment area and then positions a catheter.
3. Using imaging guidance, we advance the catheter through a blood vessel to the test or treatment area. Procedures may involve X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound.
4. We perform necessary assessments. These may include evaluating blockages, abnormal structures or swelling.
5. When the procedure is complete, we remove the catheter and cover the site with a bandage. Your child typically goes home the same day.

Needle-based procedures

Some interventional radiology procedures involve a small needle. Here’s what to expect:

1. Before getting started, we use medication to numb the test or treatment area. If necessary, general anesthesia is available to put your child to sleep and temporarily block sensation.
2. Using real-time image guidance, the interventional radiologist pinpoints the test or treatment site.
3. The interventional radiologist delivers the injection or uses the needle to take a biopsy.
4. When the procedure is complete, we cover the area with a bandage.

Interventional Radiology Procedures We Offer

We offer a broad range of interventional radiology procedures. Some examples include:

• Angiograms, which use a contrast dye  to evaluate blood flow.
• Biopsies, which involve taking a tissue sample. Evaluating the sample under a microscope helps confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
• Botulinum toxin injections, which treat certain conditions by injecting a small dose of botulinum toxin into the affected area.
• Cerebral arteriograms, which evaluates blood vessels in and near the brain.
• Cryoablation, which destroys abnormal tissue by freezing it with an extremely cold needle.
• Lumbar punctures (spinal taps), which take a sample of spinal fluid. Evaluating the sample in a lab makes it possible to diagnose certain infections or neurological conditions.
• Sclerotherapy, which blocks blood supply to abnormal vessels by delivering a substance to close it off.
• Vascular access, which implants a central line—a long thin tube (catheter)—into a large blood vessel. The central line makes it possible to deliver intravenous medication or support other treatments, such as dialysis.

Comprehensive Radiology and Imaging Services for Children

We offer the full range of radiology and imaging studies at our main hospital, in one convenient location. Some of these services are also available at locations throughout the Los Angeles region. Find out more about Radiology and Imaging.