Vascular and Interventional Radiology

The UCSD Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) provides a full spectrum of diagnostic angiographic studies, along with vascular and nonvascular interventional procedures. Subspecialists provide precise diagnosis and the latest treatments in liver tumors, varicose veins, pelvic congestion, HHT, arteriovenous malformations, and fibroids. We have one of the few Insightec Exablate MR-guided focused ultrasound units available in the country for the treatment of fibroids.

Call to schedule an appointment: 619-471-0320

Areas of specialization

Liver tumor therapy - We have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of liver tumors. We treat patients with primary liver cancer and patients with metastatic disease to the liver.  The UCSD Interventional Radiology team has expertise in chemoembolization and radioembolization for liver tumors. We also perform RF ablation and microwave ablation for tumors in the liver. Some patients may also undergo portal vein embolization to improve their chances for a surgical resection of tumors in the liver.

Varicose veins treatment - We offer non-surgical laser treatment at UCSD. Studies at Weill Cornell Vascular in New York have shown that the EndoVenous Laser Treatment has a 98 percent success rate, and a long-term recurrence rate of less than 7%. These results surpass traditional surgical ligation and vein stripping, which require general anesthesia and up to two weeks of recuperation time.

Fibroids - We have one of the few Insightec Exablate MR-guided focused ultrasound units available in the country for the treatment of fibroids. Our radiologists work with the patient's doctors to determine if MR-guided focused ultrasound or uterine artery embolization would be the best treatment option. UCSD also has long-term experience in treating patients with uterine artery embolization.

Venous interventions - Patients with pelvic congestion syndrome, pelvic pain caused by ovarian vein reflux, can be treated with embolization of the ovarian veins, and when necessary, the internal iliac veins. Patients with varicocles (testicular vein reflux) are also treated minimally invasively with embolization on an outpatient basis. Other venous problems such as superior vena cava syndrome, May-Thurner syndrome, or extensive deep venous thrombosis can also be treated with minimally invasive interventional radiology techniques.

IVC filters - The UCSD Interventional Radiology service has extensive experience in the placement and the removal of filters in the inferior vena cava.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) - We offer non-surgical embolotherapy for treatment of the arterial-venous shunts which are characteristic of HHT and are a referral center for patients with this condition.

Arterial-venous malformations of the peripheral circulation - Our physicians offer expert treatment for patients with arterial-venous malformations involving a variety of body areas. Depending on the patient's anatomy and the type of malformation, embolization, sclerotherapy, or other minimally invasive therapies may be appropriate. Our physicians will see the patient and obtain appropriate imaging to determine the optimal approach. 

Peripheral vascular disease - Our physicians have notable expertise in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.  We are happy to evaluate patients in clinic, order appropriate studies to determine the extent of disease, treat, and then follow patients, as appropriate.

Division Faculty

Chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology Jeet Minocha, MD

VIR Faculty Hamed Aryafar, MD Thomas B Kinney, MD Quinn C. Meisinger, MD Jeet Minocha, MD Isabel Newton, MD Andrew Picel, MD Gerant Rivera-Sanfeliz, MD Anne C Roberts, MD Steven C Rose, MD Christoper Friend, MD