Interventional Radiology Pain Treatment
Non-pharmacologic and non-opioid treatments are preferred over opioid use for chronic
pain management (1). Image-guided pain management techniques and have evolved in recent
years to provide better pain management for more patients (2).
Minimally invasive pain management procedures are typically performed in with musculoskeletal-related
chronic pain and cancer patients who experience cancer-related pain. However, venous
and arterial disease and postoperative scar tissue are important causes of pain that
require treatment.
In patients with osteoarthritis, a wide range of procedures exist for the diagnosis
of conditions that lead to pain (such as joint aspiration) to the treatment of hyperactive
nerves and reduction of blood flow to decrease joint inflammation. Post-operative
pain can also be treated by identifying and treating nerves affected by scar tissue
that produce pain, such as patients with groin pain after hernia repair surgery.
Cancer-related pain can lead to decreased mobility, appetite, quality of life and
performance status. Minimally invasive image-guided interventions range from neurolysis
for abdominal pain in pancreatic cancer and cryoablation of bone metastases producing
pain.
Consultation with an Interventional Radiologist in the UMCNO IR Clinic is part of
evaluation and management for patients who require interventions treatment of chronic
pain. We work closely with Palliative Medicine physicians to provide a holistic approach
to patients who are in pain.
Pain Treatments:
Cancer Related Pain
Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Cancer-Related Abdominal Pain
Intercostal Nerve Block, Neurolysis and Cryoablation for Rib Pain
Bone Metastasis Cryoablation for Bone Pain
Musculoskeletal-Related Pain
Pelvic Botox Injections for Muscle Spasm
Post-Hernia Repair Nerve Block and Neurolysis (Inguinal Nerve)
Geniculate Nerve Block, Neurolysis and Ablation
Lumbar Symptathetic Block and Neurolysis
Intercostal Neve Block and Neurolysis
Phantom Limb Pain Block and Neurolysis
Stellate Ganglion Block and Neurolysis
Epidural, Facet and Other Spine Injections
Sacroiliac Joint Aspiration and Injections
Peripheral Joint Aspiration and Injections
Prosthetic Joint Aspiration for Diagnosis of Inflammation and Infection
Venous Disease
Varicocele Venography, Sclerotherapy and Embolization (for groin and testicular pain)
Pelvic Venous Insufficiency Venography, Sclerotherapy and Embolization (for pelvic
pain in women)
Lower Extremity Venography, Venoplasty and Stent (for post-thrombotic syndrome, history
of deep vein thrombosis/DVT, May Thurner Disease and venous valve incompetence)
Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
Arterial Disease
Angiography, Atherectomy, Stent and Angioplasty for Critical Limb Ischemia and Peripheral
Arterial Disease
Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
- Dowell D, Haegerich TM, Chou R. CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain--United States, 2016. JAMA. 2016;315(15):1624-1645. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.1464
- Wallace AN, McWilliams SR, Connolly SE, et al. Percutaneous Image-Guided Cryoablation of Musculoskeletal Metastases: Pain Palliation and Local Tumor Control. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2016;27(12):1788-1796. doi:10.1016/j.jvir.2016.07.026