Raymond H. Thornton, MD

Vice Chair for Quality, Safety, and Performance Improvement, Department of Radiology

Raymond H. Thornton, MD -- Vice Chair for Quality, Safety, and Performance Improvement, Department of Radiology

I am an interventional radiologist, a physician who specializes in image-guided therapies. Using x-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound, we are able to perform procedures inside the body through very small holes in the skin — thanks to the miracles of modern medical imaging technology.

For example, certain tumors can be treated by steering a catheter through the arteries until it is very close to the tumor and then injecting particles that stop blood flow through the catheter. We also do many procedures through veins, such as the placement of venous access devices, including chest ports, and the placement of filters in the large vein in the abdomen (the inferior vena cava) to protect against the potentially dangerous migration of blood clots.

When organs such as kidneys or livers become obstructed, we have techniques to relieve the blockages using specially placed catheters and stents. Likewise, abnormal fluid collections in almost any location can be removed with our tools and expertise.

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When imaging studies identify suspicious abnormalities inside the body, patients are often referred to us for biopsy. Using radiologic imaging methods, we guide needles into abnormal areas to get tissue for microscopic evaluation.

My academic interests in interventional radiology are broad and patient centered, including such topics as tumor embolization, therapies for malignant pleural effusions and ascites, and advances in image-guided therapy.

Location

New York City

Phone

212-639-2463

Clinical Expertise

Interventional Radiology

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Residencies

University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center

Fellowships

University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center

Board Certifications

Diagnostic Radiology

See My Colleagues in:

Publications by Raymond H. Thornton

Thornton R., Optimization of protocols for computed tomography coronary angiography. Applied radiology June 2002 (supplement): 54-62.

Thornton RH, Yee J. Esophagus Carcinoma. www.emedicine.com 2001:2(10)

Yee J, Thornton R. “Imaging Studies in gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases.” in Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Gastroenterology. Appleton and Lange, 2nd Edition, 2001.

Visit PubMed for full listing of Raymond H. Thornton journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

abdomen (AB-doh-men)

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

abnormal (ab-NOR-mul)

Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign (not cancer).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

angiography (an-jee-AH-gruh-fee)

A procedure to x-ray blood vessels. The blood vessels can be seen because of an injection of a dye that shows up in the x-ray.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

ascites (uh-SY-teez)

Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling. In late-stage cancer, tumor cells may be found in the fluid in the abdomen. Ascites also occurs in patients with liver disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

biopsy (BY-op-see)

The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

carcinoma (KAR-sih-NOH-muh)

Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

catheter (KA-theh-ter)

A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

diagnosis (DY-ug-NOH-sis)

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

embolization (EM-boh-lih-ZAY-shun)

The blocking of an artery by a clot or foreign material. Embolization can be done as treatment to block the flow of blood to a tumor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

esophagus (ee-SAH-fuh-gus)

The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

fluid (FLOO-id)

A substance that flows smoothly and takes the shape of its container. Liquids and gases are fluids.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul)

Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

liver (LIH-ver)

A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)

Cancerous. Malignant cells can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

microscopic (MY-kroh-SKAH-pik)

Too small to be seen without a microscope.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

physician (fih-ZIH-shun)

Medical doctor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiologist (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are produced with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiology (RAY-dee-AH-loh-jee)

The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose or treat disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tissue (TIH-shoo)

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tomography (toh-MAH-gruh-fee)

A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tumor (TOO-mer)

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

ultrasound (UL-truh-SOWND)

A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

vein (vayn)

A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)