Interventional Radiology

Specialized alternatives to surgery

Interventional radiology is a specialty that involves using X-ray-guided imaging to perform minimally invasive procedures that once required surgery. Most procedures can now be done on an outpatient basis and require a shorter recovery time.

During the procedure, your team consists of a doctor, nurse and tech. Most of these procedures do not require anesthesia and are done under conscious sedation. Conscious sedation allows you to stay awake without feeling discomfort while avoiding the stronger side effects and dangers of general anesthesia.

At Adventist Health Bakersfield, we offer:

• Interventional oncology (nonsurgical treatments for cancer)
• Treatment of vertebral fracture (kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty)
• Fistulogram/dialysis
• IVC filter placement
• Portacath placement
• Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)
• Prostate embolization
• CT guided biopsy liver/lung/renal/thyroid
• Epidural injection
• Lumbar punctures
• Percutaneous drain placement
• Gastrostomy tube placement
• Stellate ganglion blocks
• Renal/urological procedures
• Biliary/bowel duct procedures
• Peripheral artery disease

For referring doctors

Twenty-four hours prior to a procedure, we will need: H&P (within the last 30 days), pre-op labs CBC, PTT, INR, BUN, CR (within 2 weeks).

For patients

Do not eat or drink six hours prior to your procedure. You may take your medication with sips of water. You will not be allowed to drive home, so please arrange for transportation. Ask your doctor about discontinuing blood thinners five days prior to procedure. If you’re on blood thinners, please contact the interventional radiology coordinator at (661) 869-6262.

If you have any questions, please call the interventional radiology scheduler at (661) 869-6260.