Urologic Interventions

Interventional treatment for urological conditions involves treating abnormalities caused by conditions such as kidney stones, cancer or renal disease. These conditions can cause painful symptoms or may put patients at risk for serious complications such as kidney failure or death. While some of these conditions may resolve on their own, intervention is often desired to help relieve symptoms as quickly as possible.

Sometimes one of the ureters, the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder, becomes blocked. This blockage may result from kidney stones, tumors, blood clots, or certain other medical conditions. Two nonsurgical interventions commonly performed to correct this problem are:

  • Percutaneous nephrostomy in which a catheter is used to bypass the ureter
  • Ureteral stent in which urine is directed through a stent for external collection

During both of these procedures, the patient is under local anesthesia and the doctor is assisted by ultrasound guidance. Each procedure is ordinarily performed as a temporary solution until the ureteral blockage is cleared, although the ureteral stent may remain in place for months, or even years, if necessary.

Another common urological intervention is the embolization of a varicocele, a varicose vein in the scrotum. Varicoceles are often caused by defective or damaged valves in the affected veins. While varicoceles may occur in either testicle, they are more common on the left side. Patients with varicoceles may be symptom free or may experience aching or a sensation of heaviness in the region. Since varicoceles may lead to pain, swelling and infertility, they are frequently treated with embolization.

During embolization, a catheter is inserted into a small incision in the groin while the patient is under local anesthesia. With the assistance of imaging guidance, the doctor releases either coils or a solution that causes scarring into the catheter. The purpose is to block blood flow to the affected testicular veins, repairing the varicocele and redirecting blood to flow through healthy vessels. Embolization is a usually a successful procedure, resulting in minimal recovery time.

Additional Resources

Our Urologists

Kevin Asher, MD

Kevin Asher, M.D. graduated from Towson University and Columbia University Medical School. He completed his residency in Urology at Boston University and has completed a fellowship in Urologic Oncology at the Nati

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Aaron Berkenwald, M.D.

Dr. Berkenwald received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and he completed his surgical and urological residency at Lahey Medical Center. He graduated summa cum laude from Nor

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Stephen Gallo, MD

Dr. Gallo received his BA Degree from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from New York Medical College. He completed his training in urology at New York Medical College. Dr. Gallo is the Chief of Urol

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Andrew Kim, MD

Dr. Kim received his medical degree from University of Maryland School of Medicine, and he completed his surgical and urological residency at University of Maryland Medical Center. He earned his BS degree in Mecha

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Joshua Pagar, MD

Dr. Pagar received his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine, and completed his surgical and urological residency at University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, Columbia, MO. He earned his M

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Joseph Sarcona, MD

Dr. Sarcona received his medical degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, and he completed his surgical and urological residency at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY. He earned his BS degree in Neurosci

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Jonathan Starkman, MD

Dr. Starkman received his bachelor of science degree in molecular biology, from the University of Michigan and his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI. He completed his train

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William Swanson, MD, MBA

Dr. Swanson received his bachelor of arts degree, with honors and in biology, from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts. He received his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1995, where

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Michael Zavaski, MD

Dr. Zavaski received his medical degree from University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and he completed his surgical and urological residency at Harvard Program in Urology- Brigham and Women's Hospital in Bost

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