William Alago, MD

William Alago, MD

I am an interventional radiologist, a physician who uses image guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures through small incisions in the skin. Some of the imaging modalities utilized include CT scans, ultrasound, and x-ray/fluoroscopy. These procedures are usually done with moderate intravenous sedation rather than with general anesthesia, thus reducing the time it takes for the patient to recover.

Many of the procedures performed in our section are done from within the blood vessels. For example, we are able to selectively block the arterial blood supply to liver tumors utilizing embolization where tiny particles are injected through small catheters. This helps to destroy the tumor. In addition, filters can be placed into the large abdominal vein called the vena cava, preventing the potentially dangerous upward migration of blood clots from the legs to the lungs. We also place venous access devices, including chest ports and tunneled catheters, so that patients can receive intravenous therapies.

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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.

Location

New York City

Phone

212-639-2235

Clinical Expertise

Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Residencies

Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Fellowships

St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center

Board Certifications

Diagnostic Radiology; CAQ Vascular & Interventional Radiology

See My Colleagues in:

Department of Radiology›Interventional Radiology Service

Publications by William Alago

Visit PubMed for full listing of William Alago 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)

abdominal (ab-DAH-mih-nul)

Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips 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)

ablation (a-BLAY-shun)

In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.

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)

anesthesia (A-nes-THEE-zhuh)

A loss of feeling or awareness caused by drugs or other substances. Anesthesia keeps patients from feeling pain during surgery or other procedures. Local anesthesia is a loss of feeling in one small area of the body. Regional anesthesia is a loss of feeling in a part of the body, such as an arm or leg. General anesthesia is a loss of feeling and a complete loss of awareness that feels like a very deep sleep.

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

biliary (BIH-lee-AYR-ee)

Having to do with the liver, bile ducts, and/or gallbladder.

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)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

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

embolism (EM-boh-lih-zum)

A block in an artery caused by blood clots or other substances, such as fat globules, infected tissue, or cancer cells.

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)

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)

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)

inferior vena cava (in-FEER-ee-er VEE-nuh KAY-vuh)

A large vein that empties into the heart. It carries blood from the legs and feet and from organs in the abdomen and pelvis.

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

intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus)

Into or within a vein. Intravenous usually refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. Also called IV.

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)

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)

obstruction (ub-STRUK-shun)

Blockage of a passageway.

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

pelvis (PEL-vus)

The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.

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)

pulmonary (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee)

Having to do with the lungs.

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)

recover (ree-KUH-ver)

To become well and healthy again.

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

thrombosis (throm-BOH-sis)

The formation or presence of a thrombus (blood clot) inside a blood vessel.

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)

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)

urinary (YOOR-ih-NAYR-ee)

Having to do with urine or the organs of the body that produce and get rid of urine.

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)