William Alago, Jr., MD, FSIR

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.

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.