Interventional Radiology at University of Colorado Medicine: Inside Job

Treating diseases and other health conditions from inside the body

Driven by the latest advances in technology, vascular and interventional radiology is revolutionizing how doctors diagnose and treat many health problems that once required open surgery. Instead of general anesthesia, a hospital stay and a long, sometimes painful recovery, treatment can now be achieved in a short outpatient procedure. Patients are able to return home and resume most activities the very same day.

Using medical imaging to guide their treatment, interventional radiologists gain access to the bloodstream via a small nick in the skin—similar to a blood draw. They then use tiny catheters and miniature devices that are advanced to the precise location where the condition is treated. Today, a variety of vascular diseases, cancer, bone and joint conditions, reproductive system issues and much more are treated less invasively, less expensively and with comparable or better outcomes to surgery.

Patients who choose our minimally invasive treatments experience fewer risks, virtually no scarring and no downtime compared with the surgical alternative.

A comfortable, non-hospital environment

All procedures are performed in our state-of-the-art office-based lab (OBL), a convenient outpatient center that’s easy to get to and dedicated to your care. Unlike a hospital, there are no confusing corridors to navigate or distracted staff caring for the very ill. Everyone here is determined to make your short stay with us as pleasant as possible.

Interventional radiology treatment options

Minimally invasive treatments are now available for nearly every organ system within the body. Learn about all the diseases and health conditions we can assess and treat, such as peripheral artery disease, varicose veins, uterine fibroids, enlarged prostate and spine fractures using non-surgical endoscopic techniques in a more comfortable non-hospital outpatient environment.