Providence Radiology Services - Uterine Artery Embolization and Vertebroplasty

Roger L. Gonda, Jr., MD, is a board-certified radiologist, specializing in interventional radiology. Dr. Gonda's areas of expertise include MRI, Interventional Medicine, and Nuclear Medicine. Among the many procedures Dr. Gonda performs, Uterine Artery Embolization and Vertebroplasty.


UTERINE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a procedure to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Common symptoms are heavy bleeding (soaking through clothing), cramps, bleeding between menstrual cycles, pressure on the bladder causing frequent urination and pelvic pressure. Fibroid tumors are non-cancerous tumors of the wall of the uterus and affect over 30% of Caucasian women and over 50% of African American women.
The embolization procedure is an alternative to a hysterectomy. It is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an Interventional Radiologist that involves blocking (embolizing) the blood vessels that supply fibroid tumors. This usually results in the shrinkage and “starvation” of the fibroids with a relief or improvement in symptoms in 80%-90% of patients. The procedure is performed in the hospital with sedation and an overnight stay. Recovery time is approximately 1 week.  For additional information regarding UAE visit the Ask 4 UAE website (www.ask4uae.com). (www.ask4uae.com is a Biosphere Medical sponsored website.)

VERTEBROPLASTY
Vertebroplasty is a revolutionary procedure that can provide significant pain relief in patients with vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or tumors. Many patients report relief the same day.

This is an outpatient procedure performed in the hospital by an Interventional Radiologist. Patients are sedated and lie prone (on their belly). Under x-ray guidance the Interventional Radiologist inserts a special needle into the fractured vertebral body through the skin of the back. A small amount of orthopedic cement (the same cement used for new artificial hips and knees) is injected and the needles are removed. The procedure lasts about an hour for each fracture level treated. Typically, patients are discharged after 4-6 hours. The procedure is covered by Medicare and most carriers.

Fact:
- Vertebroplasty procedures have been performed for more than a decade with excellent results.
-Conventional treatments of vertebral fractures have been bed rest, pain medication, reduced activity and physical therapy.
- Vertebral Fractures are recognized as a cause of decline in health and in some cases death.