serena williams_sydney medical interventions

Venous Williams: Serena’s Incredible Untold Story Behind the Australian Open

The Australian Open Tournament had its share of amazing stories this year. It was Roger Federer’s 20th Slam, Wozniaki’s first slam…but do you know of the most incredible story behind this year’s Australian Open? Whether you’re a tennis fan or not, chances are you’ve heard of Serena Williams. You’ve probably even heard of her pregnancy – during which she WON a Grand Slam. This is incredible enough, but what most people don’t know about Serena’s pregnancy is that she developed potentially life-threatening blood clots after giving birth. Blood clots in the deep veins (deep venous thrombosis, or DVTs) are common in pregnant women due to factors including hormonal changes in their bodies, the uterus pressing on veins in their legs, ... READ MORE
DSA splenic aneurysm

Getting the Sac: Insights into aneurysm treatment

It was a privilege to be the invited speaker to kick off the state MINA meeting today. Ever been in a room full of people where you just click? That was the experience today. We all know the amazing things that Interventional Radiology can offer people. We all know the things that are possible with minimally invasive technology. We all know that these possibilities are under-utilised and much of this is due to the lack of awareness, both in the general public and even amongst the medical community. All in the room were passionate about the specialty and passionate about educating and delivering these innovations to their patients. Aneurysms are often a silent, and potentially life-threatening condition. In the past, the treatments ... READ MORE
Fig 2

Leg Angioplasty – Get Mobilised Today

Approximately twenty per cent of people aged over 60 suffer from peripheral arterial disease1. It is usually caused by a buildup of fatty tissues and plaque on the interior walls of major arteries in the legs. This buildup, known as arterial atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the legs. Fig 1. Atherosclerotic plaque seen in the wall of an artery   This can often lead to pain when exercising or even everyday tasks such as walking. The condition is entirely treatable, with a large range of treatment options available. The most effective of these treatments is angioplasty, which is fast, painless and has a very short recovery period. Symptoms Some people who suffer from peripheral arterial disease won’t exhibit many ... READ MORE
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Family History of Aneurysms? Explore Your Treatment Options with Interventional Radiology

Does your family have a history of aneurysms? Having a good knowledge of your family’s medical history is critical to understanding your own risk factors for developing certain medical issues. Here, we discuss aneurysms and new, low-invasive methods of treatment pioneered by interventional radiologists. What is an Aneurysm? An aneurysm is a localized enlargement (or “bulge”) of an artery, usually occurring at a weak spot in the arterial wall. Whilst not all aneurysms are dangerous, some have the potential to rupture, which can cause serious complications (including death). Aneurysms are often asymptomatic. For some people, the first symptom may be rupture. Thanks to advanced medical imaging, many aneurysms are discovered by radiologists, incidentally on abdominal scans for other symptoms. Image: ... READ MORE
Spinal-sydney-medical-interventions

How minimally Invasive Procedures Are Helping Patients With Spinal Injuries

Spinal injury conjures up images of urgent, life-threatening injuries that medical personnel manage and treat. Normally this is in the setting of trauma, and treatment of these patients is critical. In most cases, spinal damage will inflict immediate and permanent disability, seriously reducing a patient’s quality of life. However, many of us suffer from symptoms of less acute, chronic injury or spinal degeneration. Due to the non-emergent and often non-traumatic nature of these injuries, they can often be underdiagnosed and under-treated. Degenerative change can affect the discs, leading to bulges and protrusions. It can also affect the joints of the spine (intervertebral, interspinous and facet joints), leading to bone spurs and wear. Apart from causing direct pain, these can also ... READ MORE
What is the difference between an interventional radiologist and a vascular surgeon

What Is The Difference Between An Interventional Radiologist and a Vascular Surgeon?

There is a lot to be said about the confusion between the difference between an Interventional Radiologist (IR) and a Vascular Surgeon. First, we need to understand what each speciality does: Interventional Radiologists  are vascular specialists who do minimally invasive procedures instead of surgery or other treatment, using image-guided diagnosis and treatment of diseases in every organ system. The main focus behind interventional radiology is providing a solution using the most modern, least invasive technique available in order to minimise risk and improve the outcomes for every patient with shorter hospital stays and comprehensive follow up care. “Historically, Interventional Radiologists have been doing catheter-based interventional procedures literally since 1963, when the first angioplasties were done,” says Timothy Murphy, MD. We ... READ MORE
RADIATION SAFETY

SAFETY. PROTECTION.

How do you feel when you hear these words? Reassured? Calm? These are words which should drive our practice and our interaction with staff and colleagues. With new technology, we have amazing opportunities to offer patients cutting edge percutaneous treatment. Not only can we offer minimally invasive treatment, but we can also offer minimal radiation dose to staff and patients using simple techniques. Looking forward to an evening of discussion, sharing and learning READ MORE