Ultrasound-guided biopsies offer several benefits:

1. Minimally invasive: The procedure involves a small needle, which reduces the need for larger incisions and cuts.
2. Real-time imaging: Ultrasound allows the doctor to see the tissue or abnormal area in real-time, ensuring accurate needle placement and reducing the risk of complications.
3. Quick recovery: Most patients experience little discomfort and can resume normal activities soon after the procedure.
4. Lower risk: Compared to surgical biopsies, ultrasound-guided biopsies have fewer risks and complications.
5. No radiation: Unlike some imaging techniques, ultrasound doesn’t involve radiation, making it safer for patients.

In these procedures, ultrasound imaging is used to guide a needle to the precise location of an abnormality or tissue sample for testing. The procedure involves applying a gel to the skin and using an ultrasound probe to visualize the area being biopsied. A thin needle is then inserted through the skin to collect a tissue sample. This method is commonly used for biopsies of the liver, kidneys, thyroid, or lymph nodes. It’s typically done under local anesthesia, with a quick recovery time and minimal discomfort.

At our center, we support cancer patients by offering the placement of MediPorts and PICC lines for easier access to chemotherapy and other treatments.

- MediPort: A small, implanted device placed under the skin, providing a reliable, long-term access point for medications and blood draws, reducing the need for frequent needle sticks.  
- PICC Line: A peripherally inserted catheter placed in a vein, often used for medium-term treatments like chemotherapy or IV therapy. It’s minimally invasive and can stay in place for weeks or months.  

Both options improve comfort, streamline treatment, and reduce complications, ensuring patients receive care with greater ease and efficiency.

Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat liver cancer. It involves delivering chemotherapy directly to the tumor through a catheter inserted into the blood vessels feeding the tumor. The catheter is guided through the arteries to the liver tumor, where chemotherapy drugs are injected, followed by embolic agents (like tiny particles) to block the blood supply to the tumor, trapping the drugs inside and causing the tumor to shrink.

Indications for TACE include:

• Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
• Metastatic liver cancer that cannot be surgically removed
• In cases where surgery or liver transplantation is not an option.

TACE is particularly effective for patients with localized tumors or those who are not candidates for surgery. It can help control the disease, reduce tumor size, and alleviate symptoms.

The PluerX catheter placement procedure is used to treat pleural effusion, a condition where excess fluid builds up between the lungs and chest wall. During the procedure, a small catheter is inserted into the pleural space through a small incision in the chest, typically under local anesthesia with guidance from ultrasound imaging. The catheter is tunneled under the skin and connected to a drainage system, allowing patients to remove the fluid as needed.

This procedure helps alleviate symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and discomfort caused by pleural effusion. It provides long-term relief, as the catheter can be used to drain fluid at home, avoiding repeated hospital visits for fluid removal. It is particularly helpful for patients with chronic or recurrent pleural effusion, improving quality of life.

Percutaneous gastrostomy tube (PEG) placement is a minimally invasive procedure where a feeding tube is inserted directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall. This is typically done under local anesthesia and guided by ultrasound or endoscopy. The tube provides a long-term solution for patients who are unable to eat or swallow food properly due to conditions like neurological disorders, head or neck cancer, or other swallowing difficulties.

The PEG tube helps patients with malnutrition by delivering essential nutrients, fluids, and medications directly into the stomach, bypassing the need for oral intake. This ensures they receive adequate nutrition and hydration, improving their overall health and supporting recovery. The procedure is relatively simple, with a quick recovery time, and can significantly improve quality of life for patients with chronic feeding challenges.

we can help manage cancer-related pain through minimally invasive procedures that target the source of pain directly. Some common IR techniques include:

1. Nerve blocks: Injections of anesthetic or steroid near pain-causing nerves can provide targeted pain relief by blocking pain signals.
2. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or Cryoablation: This technique uses heat to destroy pain-causing nerve tissue or tumors, offering long-term pain relief.
3. Spinal pain management: For patients with spinal metastases, IR can use techniques like vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty to stabilize the spine and reduce pain.

These procedures offer relief without the need for major surgery, improve quality of life, and reduce reliance on pain medications, all with shorter recovery times.

Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses heat to destroy cancerous tumors. During the procedure, a probe is inserted into the tumor through the skin, guided by imaging techniques like ultrasound or CT scans. The probe delivers heat (either via radiofrequency or microwave energy) to the tumor, causing it to shrink or die.

This technique is commonly used for treating cancers in areas like the liver, kidney, thyroid and bone. It’s often recommended for tumors that are difficult to reach with surgery, for patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery, or to shrink tumors before other treatments like chemotherapy. Thermal ablation offers a quick recovery, minimal side effects, and can be done on an outpatient basis.