RADIOLOGY IMAGING SERVICES
We offer Diagnostic and Interventionist Radiology Services across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
For all enquiries call us on 0121 724 0470
Dr Ian McCafferty
Bsc MB BS MRCP FRCR
Dr Ian McCafferty is a diagnostic and interventional radiologist working in Birmingham.
In diagnostic radiology (DR) he undertakes imaging in Ultrasound, CT and MRI. He has specialist interest in gastrointestinal, vascular and urogenital radiology with research interests in non-invasive techniques to diagnose cancer early. These include CT Colonography (Virtual Colonography or CTC) & MR Enterography (MRE) for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and multiparametric MRI of the prostate gland (mp-MRIP) to diagnose early prostate cancer.
In interventional radiology (IR) he specialises in a wide range of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has specific interests in Vascular access (Hickman lines & Port insertions), Tumour thermal ablation (Microwave, Radiofrequency & Cryoablation), Urological intervention, Treatment & Diagnosis of Vascular Malformations, Paediatric intervention and Vascular Embolisation (treatment of fibroids and prostate enlargement).
WHAT IS A RADIOLOGIST?
Radiology is a recognised specialty within hospital medicine and a Radiologist is a doctor who has undergone a 5-year specialist post-graduate training in diagnostic radiology (DR) and obtained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR).
Diagnostic Radiologists (DR) specialise in medical imaging to aid the diagnosis of certain conditions and assess treatment responses. Radiologists are trained to use X-rays, fluoroscopy, nuclear scanning, ultrasound, CT scanning and MRI scanning.
As the complexity of the technology becomes more advanced it is common in tertiary and quaternary hospitals that radiologists become more subspecialised in specific areas of medicine e.g. a urogenital radiologist or a gastrointestinal radiologist.
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a sub-specialty of radiology, requiring further specialist training, aimed at treating medical conditions using imaging as guidance – it is often referred to as minimally invasive surgery.
PROCEDURES
Interventional Radiology (IR) is the ultimate minimally invasive option that can treat a number of medical conditions through tiny incisions, often as a day-case and without the need for a full general anaesthetic. The list below indicates a selection of procedures that Dr McCafferty regularly undertakes.
Vascular Access
Access into a vein is important for the administration of a number of different drugs, most commonly this is for chemotherapy drugs and long-term antibiotics. Dr McCafferty offers a number of different venous access options to suite your needs. These include peripherally inserted central catheters (PICS), Central inserted tunneled catheters (Hickman, Groshong lines) and Power Ports (completely buried under the skin)
Cancer Treatments
Initial diagnosis of cancer often requires a biopsy (small tissue sample) as an expert in image guided targeting Dr McCafferty can arrange this using ultrasound or CT imaging. Dr McCafferty in certain circumstances can also arrange embolisation (blocking of blood supply) to tumours to reduce growth and stop bleeding.
Ascites & Effusion Treatments
Fluid can accumulate within the chest or abdomen and cause shortness of breath and abdominal swelling. The symptoms can be improved by either short or long term drainage. Dr McCafferty can offer a number of solutions
Vascular Malformations
Vascular malformations or birthmarks are rare conditions that cause cosmetic and painful symptoms. Dr McCafferty runs a holistic service including the diagnosis and management of all these conditions (high flow AVM, low flow venous & lymphatic / haemangiomas).
Pelvic Congestion
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a disorder that typically affects women with previous pregnancies causing pelvic pain and vaginal / vulval varices (dilated veins). The condition can be very distressing but interventional radiology offers a simple non-invasive procedure to treat.
Varicocele Embolisation
A varicocele is an enlarged vein within the scrotum that causes pain and swelling or infertility. Varicocele embolisation uses image guidance to place small coils to divert the blood away using minimally invasive techniques. It is less invasive than traditional surgery.
Fibroid Embolisation
Fibroids are benign tumour’s that affect the uterus causing pain and excessive bleeding; they are more common in Afro-Caribbean women. There are a number of treatment options, fibroid embolisation is a minimal invasive technique used to block the feeding blood vessels and shrink the fibroids. It is less invasive than traditional surgery.
Paediatrics
Dr McCafferty works at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has lead the interventional radiology services for 12yrs.
Renal Tumour Ablation
Advances in imaging and thermal technologies have allowed interventional radiologists to percutaneous (via skin) place needles into tumours to ablate (destroy) them. This allows the destruction of cancer without the need for any kind of surgery. Common terms are radiofrequency (RFA), Cryotherapy (Cryo) and microwave (MWA).
Multi-parametric MRI Prostate (mp-MRIP)
Prostate carcinoma is common in men and often asymptomatic. Symptoms often only occur when the cancer has spread. Mp-MRI Prostate is a non-invasive dynamic and functional imaging technique of the prostate that can diagnose significant prostate cancer within the gland. This allows early diagnosis and potential focal treatments.
INTERVENTIONAL ONCOLOGY
Interventional Oncology is the 4th pillar of cancer treatment using image guided techniques to treat cancers using a small needle. This can include ablation techniques to kill liver, lung and kidney cancers and intra-arterial treatments delivering chemotherapy or radiotherapy direct to the tumour with less side affects.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Patients Say.
