Interventional Radiology - Relief of Obstructions
Some cancers can grow to the point where they obstruct the normal flow of urine or bile, causing these fluids to build up in the body. Without treatment, such obstructions can cause not only pain, but possibly infection or even liver or kidney failure. Interventional radiologists can insert an x-ray-guided catheter into the obstructed area to drain excess fluids. They may also choose to insert a stent — a tiny wire mesh tube — into the organ to bypass the obstruction and permit fluids to drain normally.