Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology

About the Division

Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) is a complex field that has gained sub-specialty recognition by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The backbone of the field was once the diagnosis and management of peripheral vascular disease. Practitioners now, however, provide a much broader range of medical care because of their unique expertise in image guided percutaneous interventions in the chest, abdomen, and extremities. Interventional Radiologists diagnose and treat diseases through the use of narrow tubes (catheters) and imaging, often eliminating the need for more complicated surgeries and lengthy recoveries.

The USC Interventional Radiology program is organized to provide comprehensive service in virtually every facet of minimally invasive procedure. Imaging modalities included in the program include fluoroscopy, angiography, computed tomography, ultrasonography and MRI. The Interventional Radiology service accepts requests for consultation as well as requests for procedures. Interventional Radiology has its own out-patient clinic and admits its own patients.

Both vascular and non-vascular procedures are performed. Procedures performed include: arteriography, venography, angioplasty, stenting (included stent-grafts), thrombolysis, embolotherapy, intravascular foreign body retrieval, revascularization for peripheral vascular disease, vascular access device placement, saphenous vein ablation, TIPS, filter placement, urologic interventions, biliary interventions, gastrointestinal interventions, and percutaneous biopsy and drainage procedures among others. In addition, numerous Interventional Oncology treatment options are offered including chemoembolization, chemoinfusion, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and Y-90 selective internal radiation treatment.

The program has on-going research into new technologies and in the evaluation of the clinical outcomes of Interventional Oncology. Specific research areas of emphasis include embolic agents, particularly liquid agents, and newer Interventional Oncology therapies.

Division Chief

Michael Katz, MD, is a full time USC faculty member certified by the American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiology and has a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. Faculty: All other faculty members are full time Interventional Radiologists and each has a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. All aspects of Vascular and Interventional Radiology are represented within the faculty. All faculty members demonstrate a commitment to the subspecialty and VIR as documented by membership in professional societies, publications in the field, and ongoing acquisition of CME credits in the field on a yearly basis.

Training & Education

The Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology offers a one-year fellowship program in Vascular Interventional Radiology. The education program is organized to provide comprehensive, full-time training and experience in the evaluation and management of patients requiring image guided VIR procedures; and provides a supervised experience in performance of imaging guided procedures.

Explore our Fellowship program