The first Interventional Radiology Suite with biplane imaging in Manatee County is now open at Manatee Memorial Hospital to support the delivery of minimally invasive care for a broad range of conditions – from cancer and gynecologic conditions to vascular disease and advanced stroke care. Benefits for patients can include shorter hospital stays, reduced recovery times, smaller incisions and less visible scarring.
A key feature of this new addition to the hospital is advanced imaging equipment that can be used to produce highly detailed views inside the body, in real time. In the event of a stroke that is caused by a blocked vessel in the brain, the imaging equipment can help guide doctors in performing a lifesaving procedure to restore blood flow. Within minutes of receiving treatment, patients may go from being unable to speak, or having droopiness on one side of their face, to smiling, talking and regaining arm function. “The interventional radiologists are doing amazing work,” says Amy Beaubien, MHA, CRA, director of imaging services.
This type of stroke treatment, called a “mechanical thrombectomy,” is performed in select cases by inserting a catheter through an artery to the site of the blockage, then using a device to retrieve the clot and restore blood flow. With this and other catheter-based procedures, treatment is provided through small incisions, offering a less-invasive alternative to traditional approaches.
The new interventional suite encompasses 3,700 square feet on the ground floor of the hospital and features a procedure room, a private exam room and its own nursing station. It marks a significant step forward in expanding care options for patients.
Learn more about interventional radiology >
Procedures that may be performed in the Interventional Radiology Suite include:
- Gastroenterology: Tube placements, embolization, biopsies
- Neurology: Stroke interventions
- Gynecology: Fibroid embolization, drainages
- Oncology: Biopsies, ablations, embolization, ports
- Orthopedics: Injections, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty
- Vascular: Peripheral intervention, central venous access, thromboly