UW Health Kids began operating its new imaging suite for interventional radiology for patients at American Family Children’s Hospital in June.
It is the only imaging suite of its kind in the world for children.
Interventional radiology is a medical subspecialty that uses medical imaging such as MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and computed tomography, known as CT scans, to guide minimally invasive surgical procedures. It provides more precise, less invasive procedures that usually have a shorter recovery time.
“Our care team supports all kinds of patients, from those with vascular disorders to those with cancer, performing a wide range of procedures and interventions such as placing catheters, performing biopsies and more,” Dr. Eric Monroe, pediatric interventional radiologist at UW Health Kids, said in a statement. “This new space is going to enable us to perform all these vital services for so many more patients moving forward.”
The suite will serve patients in the hospital and will also be available for outpatient procedures. It is expected the suite will double the interventional radiology procedures performed annually at American Family Children’s Hospital, which sits at around 800 annually.
This move will also increase access to pediatric heart care for UW Health Kids patients as the interventional radiology team previously shared the space with that team.
