Ask a Doc: What are the benefits of interventional radiology?
July 28, 2026Trinity Health Expands Access to Care Through Growth of Advanced Interventional Radiology Program
Christopher Zarour, MD
Interventional Radiologist
Christopher Zarour, MD, MHA, RPVI, a vascular and interventional radiologist serving Trinity Health Southeast Michigan, recently shared his insights on the growth of interventional radiology services and how innovative, minimally invasive treatments are expanding care options for patients across the region.
Vascular Interventional Radiology in Michigan
Q: What is “interventional radiology,” and how does it benefit patients in our community?
Dr. Zarour: Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that uses image-guided techniques to perform procedures through tiny incisions. Compared to traditional surgery, these treatments often result in less pain, lower risk, shorter recovery times, and fewer hospital stays. Through continued investment in these services, Trinity Health is bringing advanced treatment options closer to home for patients across Michigan.
Q: Why is it important for communities to have access to a comprehensive interventional radiology program?
Dr. Zarour: Not every hospital has the infrastructure, technology, and specialized expertise required to offer a comprehensive interventional radiology program. It takes a significant investment in sophisticated equipment, highly trained physicians, and dedicated clinical teams.
Take Livonia as an example. Historically, residents often traveled to Ann Arbor or larger urban medical centers for specialized interventional radiology care. Today, they can receive these same services at Trinity Health Livonia, making care more convenient than ever and allowing them to remain close to family and their support systems. These services are backed by the same high standards, expertise, and technology found throughout Trinity Health's regional network.
Q: What are some of the newest minimally invasive treatments available through your program?
Dr. Zarour: We offer several advanced procedures that treat common conditions without major surgery. These include treatments for enlarged prostate, uterine fibroids, chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, and conditions that cause chronic pelvic pain. Using image-guided techniques, we can target the affected area to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. For many patients, these procedures offer effective relief with fewer risks and less downtime than traditional surgical approaches.
Q: How is Trinity Health expanding access to these services?
Dr. Zarour: We are proud to provide advanced interventional radiology services at Trinity Health Livonia, Trinity Health Ann Arbor, and Trinity Health Oakland. A recent milestone was the completion of our first Prostate Artery Embolization procedure at Trinity Health Livonia in June 2026, marking yet another step forward in bringing specialized, nonsurgical treatment options to patients throughout Southeast Michigan.
Q: Beyond embolization, what other services does interventional radiology provide?
Dr. Zarour: We offer much more than embolization procedures. Interventional radiology provides minimally invasive treatments for a wide range of conditions. These include treating certain cancers, restoring blood flow in blocked arteries, removing dangerous blood clots, maintaining dialysis access, repairing painful spinal fractures, placing feeding tubes, treating liver and kidney drainage issues, performing biopsies, and draining excess fluid or infections. Many of these procedures can be performed through a small incision, helping patients avoid more invasive surgery.
You may have more treatment options than you think
If you're living with chronic pain, enlarged prostate symptoms, uterine fibroids, hemorrhoids, or have been told surgery is your only option, ask your care provider whether interventional radiology may be right for you. Trinity Health offers advanced treatment options that may help patients return to their daily activities sooner.