Interventional Neuroradiology FAQs

Q: Who determines if I can or should have an interventional neuroradiology procedure?

The Radiologist and the patient’s Primary Care Physician work as partners. Patients may be referred to St. Paul Radiology by their Primary Care Physician to review the patient’s case and/or to review films. Our doctors review and approve, or make recommendations for procedures. The close relationship between the Radiologist and Primary Care Physician promotes the best possible patient care.

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Q: How do I schedule an interventional neuroradiology procedure?

Typically, a nurse from St. Paul Radiology will call the patient to schedule an appointment once a referral is received from another doctor such as the patient’s Primary Care Physician, Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, etc. The patient may also call 651.917.9930 to schedule an appointment.

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Q: Where do these procedures occur?

Our doctors perform interventional neuroradiology procedures at several hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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Q: How will I get the procedure preparation instructions?

You will be contacted by a nurse from St. Paul Radiology and given instructions on how you should prepare for the procedure, as well as where and when to arrive.

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Q: What alternatives are available?

Your Primary Care Physician and a St. Paul Radiology physician will discuss and agree on recommended treatment options for your care.

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Q: Who will perform the procedure?

St. Paul Radiology physicians James K. Goddard III, M.D., Jeffrey P. Lassig, M.D., and Michael T. Madison, M.D. perform interventional neuroradiology procedures at several hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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Q: What could I expect during and after a procedure?

Using the vertebroplasty procedure (a minimally invasive procedure to stabilize a spinal fracture) as an example, the patient arrives at the hospital at the scheduled time and begins the procedure preparation. The prep takes about 90 minutes and includes labs, exam, history, and starting an IV. The patient will receive sedation, and lays on their stomach. The skin on the patient’s back that is close to the fracture will be numbed with medicine, and a small, hollow needle is placed into the bone. Specially formulated bone cement is injected through the needle to stabilize the bone. The needle is removed, a bandage is placed over the site, and the patient stays for about two hours after the procedure to let the sedation wear off, and may then be taken home. How effective is this procedure? About 70% of patients report improvement within 24-48 hours.

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Q: What if I can't have an MRI because of metal in my body?

In this case, we recommend a 3-phase bone scan and plain x-rays.

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