Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Interventional radiology is a type of medicine where doctors use real-time imaging—like X-rays or ultrasounds—to treat conditions inside the body without major surgery. Instead of large cuts, they use tiny tools like needles and thin tubes (called catheters) to reach the problem area through just a small nick in the skin.

For example, if a blood vessel is blocked, an interventional radiologist can guide a tiny tube into it and use a small balloon to open it—watching the whole thing on a screen. These procedures are usually less painful, have shorter recovery times, and can often be done without an overnight hospital stay.

IR is often used as a first-choice treatment, especially when surgery isn’t needed or other options haven’t worked. It’s a safe, effective way to treat many conditions with less stress on your body.

At North Star Vascular & Interventional, we offer minimally invasive treatment for the following conditions:

• Peripheral artery disease
• Deep vein disease
• Varicose veins
• Cancer – liver cancer, colon cancer
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Varicoceles
• Chronic hemorrhoids
• Thyroid nodules
• Giant liver hemangioma
• Spine fractures caused by osteoporosis
• Knee pain caused by osteoarthritis
• Plantar fasciitis

Traditional surgery requires an incision in the skin for the surgeon to access the area of the body being treated. The surgeon then uses special instruments like scalpels and orthopedic hardware to perform the treatment. IR procedures are performed from inside the body, usually through the vascular system (arteries and veins) using special catheters and tiny devices. The procedures are guided by medical imaging, such as X-ray and fluoroscopy. As a result, there is a shorter recovery, less pain and less overall trauma to the patient.

No, but they require just as much education and training. Some interventional radiologists may also be vascular surgeons, but they have had extensive training in each area to be qualified to perform both imaging-guided procedures and surgical procedures.

Other than the potential for slight discomfort or bruising on the skin where the catheter is inserted into the body, you will not experience pain during an IR procedure. Because of this, general anesthesia is not required. In many cases, moderate sedation is administered during IR procedures to help patients feel calm and comfortable.

No, anesthesia is not used for IR procedures. Moderate sedation is often used to calm the patient and to help them feel more comfortable during the procedure.

• Similar technology, different use
• X-ray = a single picture
• Fluoroscopy = a live X-ray video used like GPS

• It’s based on how much the body blocks X-rays
• Air = darker
• Soft tissue = gray
• Bone/metal/contrast = brighter

• X-ray images are “flat,” like shadows
• Different angles help show depth and avoid overlap
• Think: reading a street sign from different sides of the road

• It’s the camera that takes X-ray pictures from multiple angles
• It may come close for a clear view, but it’s precisely controlled
• The team plans movements to avoid bumping you

• The C-arm does a short spin to make a 3D picture
• Motion can blur the 3D image, so we may ask for a breath-hold
• It typically lasts only a few seconds

• No—X-rays have no sensation
• Warmth or pressure is usually from contrast or the procedure step

• No
• Once the X-ray stops, the exposure stops
• You are not radioactive afterward

• Using the lowest settings that still give safe guidance
• Short bursts (“pulsed” imaging) instead of continuous when possible
• Tight beam focused only where needed (like a spotlight)
• Checking position efficiently (GPS style)

• Distance and shielding reduce exposure for staff who do this all day
• You’re monitored continuously even if someone steps back

• No
• Depends on body size, the area being treated, and procedure complexity
• The team adjusts technique throughout the case

• Not automatically
• Long procedure time doesn’t mean the X-ray is on the whole time
• We monitor and manage imaging use continuously

• Tell us before the procedure
• We can adjust the plan, shielding, and imaging strategy
• Sometimes we choose different imaging to reduce or avoid X-rays

• Diagnostic X-rays don’t make you radioactive
• Once the X-ray stops, exposure stops

Usually, no. Standard IR imaging (X-ray/fluoroscopy/CT) does not make you radioactive. When the imaging stops, the exposure stops. Normal life is fine.

Staff are around x-ray all day, every day, so they may step out or stand farther away during certain imaging moments. Distance reduces exposure for people who do this all day. You’re still monitored continuously. Someone is always watching your vital signs and how you’re doing. It’s routine. Usually a sign of normal safety practice, not a problem.

Shields help only when they don’t block the view. If a shield covers the exact area we need to see, it can make the procedure less safe. We use shielding strategically. To protect areas that are not being imaged while keeping the target visible. The goal is lowest dose + best visibility for a safe procedure

• Blood vessels can be hard to see on X-ray by themselves
• Contrast acts like “highlighter” so vessels show up clearly

• A brief warm flush is common
• Sometimes a metallic taste or mild nausea for a moment
• Usually lasts seconds

• The warm flush can feel intense in the pelvis/groin area
• It’s a common sensation and passes quickly

• No
• Your body clears it, mainly through the kidneys
• Most people clear it within about a day

• True reactions are uncommon and often mild
• The biggest predictor is a past contrast reaction
• We can plan ahead with medication or alternatives if needed

• Breathing moves organs and vessels
• Motion can blur images or make subtraction images misalign
• Short breath-holds improve accuracy and safety

• Those are precision steps
• Everyone is focused on millimeter-level movements
• It’s normal and expected

• No
• Ultrasound uses sound waves and echoes (like sonar)

• That texture is normal
• Ultrasound images are built from sound reflections, not light
• We interpret patterns and movement in real time

Speckle is normal

• It’s a property of sound reflection, not “bad equipment”
• Experienced operators interpret patterns, not perfect edges

• X-ray equipment doesn’t magnetize you
• Most implants are fine; metal can cause image “glare,” and we work around it

• MRI is excellent for some problems, not all
• IR often needs real-time tool tracking that X-ray/ultrasound provide best
• We choose the imaging tool that fits the job and safety

• Usually normal monitor alerts (heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure)
• Most alarms are minor—more “monitoring chatter” than emergency

Flow is being observed on purpose

• Reflux/backflow can happen briefly
• The team watches this in real time and adjusts injection/position

Different phases

• Early = arteries
• Later = veins/tissue “blush”
• Repeated small injections can be safer than one big one

Yes, but…

• Metal can create glare/streak (“artifact”)
• Angles/settings are adjusted to work around it