Interventional Radiology
DGMC Radiology is proud to host one of the most advanced and experienced Interventional Radiology (IR) departments in South Africa.
Our team has been instrumental in the development of IR nationally, pioneering new, minimally invasive procedures and playing a leading role in training doctors from across Southern Africa.
We are also a key partner in the WITS Donald Gordon Medical Centre’s liver transplant programme , the largest in South Africa, where we provide essential IR support in pre- and post-transplant care.
Interventional Radiology involves image-guided, minimally invasive procedures that treat a wide range of conditions, often providing an alternative to traditional surgery.
| Procedure | Condition Treated | Description |
| Trans Arterial Radioembolization (TARE) | Liver cancers (e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma) | Involves injecting radioactive microspheres into the liver’s blood supply to deliver targeted internal radiation therapy. |
| Trans Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) | Liver tumors | Delivers chemotherapy directly to liver tumors while blocking the blood supply, enhancing drug absorption and minimizing systemic effects. |
| TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) | Portal hypertension and its complications | A stent is placed in the liver to connect the portal and hepatic veins, reducing portal pressure and associated symptoms like variceal bleeding and ascites. |
| Portal Vein Recanalization | Portal vein thrombosis | Restores blood flow through blocked portal veins using imaging guidance and catheter-based techniques. |
| Biliary Stents and Drainages | Bile duct obstruction (due to cancer, gallstones, or scarring) | Stents or drains are placed to relieve bile duct blockage, improving liver function and reducing jaundice. |
| Embolization for Intra-abdominal Bleeding | Internal bleeding (e.g. trauma or aneurysms) | Embolization materials are used to block bleeding vessels and stabilize the patient without the need for surgery. |
| Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) | Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) | Minimally invasive procedure that reduces prostate size by cutting off its blood supply, relieving urinary symptoms. |
| Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) | Uterine fibroids | Blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and relieving symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. |
| Ovarian Vein Embolization | Pelvic congestion syndrome | Treats chronic pelvic pain by blocking dilated ovarian veins that contribute to venous congestion. |
| Testicular Vein Embolization | Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum) | Minimally invasive treatment that blocks faulty testicular veins, improving symptoms and potentially fertility. |
| Endovascular Treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) | Complex AVMs | Embolization techniques are used to close abnormal blood vessel connections that can cause pain, swelling and other symptoms |
| Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) | Tumors (e.g. in the liver, kidneys, lungs) | Uses heat generated by radio waves to destroy cancerous tissue under imaging guidance. |
| Cryoablation | Tumors (including kidney and soft tissue tumors) | Destroys abnormal tissue by freezing it with precision-guided probes. |
| Image-Guided Infiltrations and Chemical Ablations | Pain management, tumor therapy | Injections or ablations performed under imaging guidance to manage pain or treat tumors. |
| Image-Guided Biopsies and Drainages | Diagnostic and therapeutic needs | Minimally invasive needle-based techniques used to obtain tissue samples or drain fluid collections. |
Our IR team at DGMC is dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care through advanced procedures that reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
