William Alago, MD

Other image-guided interventional techniques are performed when large organs such as the liver or kidneys become obstructed by tumors. In these cases, tools such as catheters, tubes, and stents can be used to relieve blockages in the biliary and urinary tracts. Likewise, abnormal pockets of fluid in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis can be evacuated utilizing similar techniques.

When suspicious abnormalities are noted on imaging studies, patients are often referred to us for image guided biopsy where small needles are used to get tissue for microscopic evaluation. Similar techniques can be used to destroy tumors where probes are inserted and are used to deliver focused thermal energy until tumor cells die.

My clinical interests include catheter-directed treatment of deep venous thrombosis and its complications, tumor embolization, and image-guided thermal ablation. My research focuses on the long-term effectiveness of inferior vena cava filters in preventing pulmonary embolism and on minimally invasive techniques to treat genitourinary obstruction.