Phoenix Children’s Interventional Radiology Program provides a wide range of state-of-the-art, minimally invasive, vascular and nonvascular, image-guided procedures and therapies for children of all ages, as well as adults with congenital conditions. We use the latest imaging technology with features exclusively for pediatric patients, making them safe for even the smallest child or infant.
Interventional Radiology, also called “IR” for short, is a sub-specialty within Radiology that uses X-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound imaging to help perform minimally invasive procedures and therapies throughout the body. By using advanced imaging technology to guide the procedures, we can diagnose and treat patients in the least invasive way possible to reduce risk and improve outcomes.
These minimally invasive procedures are often less painful and have shorter recovery times compared to open surgery. Many IR procedures also reduce the need for surgery completely.
Our team includes four full-time pediatric interventional radiologists with over 45 years of combined experience. We also have one full-time neuro-interventionalist whose expertise includes pediatric stroke, retinoblastoma, and spinal vascular disease therapy.
Our doctors and patients are supported by a team of highly skilled radiology technologists, registered nurses, a physician’s assistant, child life specialists, and our team of pediatric anesthesiologists.
Preparing for Your Child’s Procedure
Many IR procedures require your child to fast before coming to the hospital. If your child will be sedated or is scheduled for general anesthesia, you will receive eating instructions from Radiology ahead of time. If your child will be under anesthesia, they cannot eat or drink before the procedure.
- Follow These Instructions:
- Heavy meal:
- Last feeding 8 hours before your child’s IR procedure.
- Stop giving your child heavy foods, such as meat, fried foods, ice cream, gum, mints and candy. Instead, your child can have light foods like toast, oatmeal, crackers, or a granola/protein bar.
- Light meal:
- Last feeding 6 hours before your child’s IR procedure.
- Stop giving your child any type of food, orange juice and milk.
- Infant formula or milk:
- Last feeding 6 hours before your child’s IR procedure.
- Stop giving your child infant formula or milk.
- Breastmilk:
- Last feeding 4 hours before your child’s IR procedure.
- Stop giving your child breastmilk.
- Clear Liquids:
- Last drink should be 2 hours before your child’s IR procedure.
- Clear liquids are liquids you can see through, such as water, apple juice, Gatorade® (do not give your child red, orange or purple Gatorade®), Pedialyte® or other clear juices. No orange juice.
- Heavy meal:
- Your child should take their usual medicines before the procedure, unless given other instructions by your doctor or nurse.
- Sometimes the doctor will ask you to stop certain medications before the day of the procedure, like aspirin or other medications that would affect how the blood clots.
- Your child needs to have a bath the night before the procedure. IR staff will give your child a patient gown to change into at the hospital.
- If your child has ever had a kidney problem or kidney disease, please tell their nurse, doctor and the technologist before the procedure. It is important to notify staff BEFORE your child receives any contrast.
- If your child has ever had a reaction or allergy to a contrast agent used for an IR procedure, MRI or CT scan, please tell your child’s nurse, doctor and the technologist BEFORE the procedure.
- The interventional radiologist will discuss findings and details of the procedure before you leave the hospital.
- Most children who receive general anesthesia for their IR procedure are transported from the IR room to the recovery room. Parents can be present in the recovery room as directed by the staff.
Locations
