Interventional Radiology Program

The program provides an environment suited specifically to your child’s condition and emotional needs. We use procedural sedation and surgical anesthesia to control pain. If needed, a trained Child Life specialist is available to support and calm your child before the procedure. We also use tools made especially for children (smaller in size and length).

We offer two interventional radiology suites, which are located near the Surgery Department in the Simon Family Tower at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Our highly advanced interventional radiology suites offer low-dose technology to keep your child’s exposure to radiation to an absolute minimum. All preparation, procedure and recovery rooms are together in one location. In addition to our pre- and post-procedure rooms, the suite has an anesthesia induction room and a family consultation area.

Our specially trained pediatric interventional radiologist uses X-rays, computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound to see inside the body and guide tools such as catheters, stents and needles to:

• Make diagnoses
• Obtain biopsies
• Drain fluid or air from inside the body
• Treat joint pain
• Treat tumors
• Treat blocked or damaged arteries or veins
• Treat blocked or damaged bile ducts
• Treat blockages in the urinary tract
• Stop internal bleeding caused by organ trauma or fractures in the pelvis
• Stop bleeding from the intestines

The Interventional Radiology Program also works with the Vascular Anomalies Program at Riley at IU Health to treat vascular malformations through sclerotherapy. It also provides catheter placement for children who require long-term use of intravenous (IV) medicines or fluids.