Advances in healthcare are offering women less invasive, more effective solutions for conditions that once required surgery, such as uterine fibroid and pelvic congestion syndrome. Interventional radiology has emerged as a game-changer in this area, providing treatments like uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) and gonadal vein embolization (GVE), which are image-guided and require no large incisions. These procedures minimize risks, reduce recovery time, and offer women new options when surgery may have seemed like the only solution.
Leading this innovative care is Dr. Jaime All, the Medical Director of TRA Endovascular in Tacoma, Washington. TRA Endovascular has emerged as a leader in providing UFE and GVE, emphasizing personalized, patient-centered care. His journey to this field began early in his medical training and was driven by a desire to bring innovative, less invasive treatments to women’s healthcare.
Let’s explore how TRA Endovascular’s innovative, minimally invasive treatments are empowering women with safer, faster, and more effective solutions for their health!
Journey to Interventional Radiology
Dr. All’s path to interventional radiology began during medical school in Charleston, South Carolina. A chance connection with a classmate whose father was a pioneering figure in interventional radiology sparked his interest. This field was relatively unknown at the time, but its potential to treat complex conditions without invasive surgeries captured his imagination.
Throughout his training at the University of Virginia, he deepened his skills and commitment to patient care. The program he trained in emphasized not just technical proficiency but also comprehensive patient care. This approach—where the physician is involved at every stage of the patient’s treatment—shaped Dr. All’s practice at TRA Endovascular. He believes that successful treatment outcomes are directly linked to the quality of the relationship between the physician and patient.
After completing his training, Dr. All practiced in Virginia and Oregon before joining TRA. His move to TRA in Tacoma was driven by a desire to continue practicing interventional radiology with a focus on patient-centered care. Since joining, he has worked to expand the clinic’s offerings, particularly in the areas of UFE and GVE, helping countless women find relief from conditions that had previously disrupted their lives.
A Focus on Women’s Health
At TRA Endovascular, Dr. All and his team has made women’s health a priority, offering effective treatments for conditions like uterine fibroids and pelvic congestion syndrome. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause significant pain and discomfort. Traditionally, these fibroids were treated with surgeries such as hysterectomy or myomectomy. While effective, these surgeries come with significant recovery times and, in the case of hysterectomy, permanently remove the uterus, limiting future fertility options.
Uterine fibroid embolization offers an alternative treatment option. This less invasive procedure treats fibroids by blocking the blood flow to the fibroid tissue, causing it to shrink. Dr. All emphasizes that UFE provides a solution for women who may not be ideal candidates for surgery or who prefer a less invasive option. “Uterine fibroid embolization is a great procedure for a large number of people,” he explains. “When performed in an out-patient setting, it allows women to go home the same day and recover in their own space.”
Pelvic congestion syndrome, another condition treated at TRA Endovascular, is caused by varicose veins in the pelvis that can lead to chronic pain. Gonadal vein embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that closes off the abnormal veins, relieving pressure and alleviating pain. Dr. All points out that pelvic congestion syndrome is often under-diagnosed, with many women suffering for years before receiving the correct diagnosis. GVE offers these women a much-needed solution, often bringing relief after years of discomfort.
Patient Education and Empowerment
A key element of TRA Endovascular’s approach is ensuring that patients are fully informed and empowered to make decisions about their care. Dr. All and the physicians believes that informed patients are better equipped to make the choices that are right for them, and he works to ensure that every woman who comes to TRA Endovascular understands all of her treatment options. “This is not a one-size-fits-all therapy,” he stresses. “I try to make sure it’s the patient’s choice, and that they feel fully informed about what the options are.”
Patient education is central to the clinic’s philosophy, and the team takes the time to explain both the benefits and limitations of each procedure. This personalized approach helps patients feel more comfortable and confident in their decision-making process, whether they are considering UFE, GVE, or another treatment option.
In addition to educating patients, TRA Endovascular is committed to raising awareness among other healthcare providers. Dr. All frequently gives talks to family medicine residency programs and collaborates with specialists in the area to ensure that women who could benefit from UFE or GVE are referred for treatment. He emphasizes that many women suffer from conditions like pelvic congestion syndrome for years without a diagnosis, seeing multiple specialists before finding the right care. By increasing awareness of these conditions, TRA Endovascular aims to reduce the time it takes for women to receive the treatment they need.
Innovating for Better Outcomes
TRA Endovascular is committed to not only providing established procedures like UFE and GVE but also staying at the forefront of new developments in interventional radiology. Dr. All and his team constantly seek ways to improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall treatment experience. One of the most exciting advancements in UFE is the shift from performing the procedure through the femoral artery in the thigh to using the radial artery in the wrist. This technique significantly improves patient comfort and recovery.
Dr. All explains that by using the radial artery, patients can recover more comfortably. “After the procedure, patients can sit up, move around, and get comfortable. It makes a huge difference in their recovery experience,” he says. By allowing patients to position themselves more comfortably immediately after the procedure, TRA Endovascular has been able to improve overall patient satisfaction and reduce discomfort during recovery.
Another innovation being explored at TRA Endovascular is the use of nerve blocks to manage pain during and after fibroid embolization. While this technique adds some complexity to the procedure, he believes that it could significantly reduce the discomfort that some patients experience during recovery. “Pain management is a big part of what we do, and anything we can do to improve that experience for the patient is worth exploring,” he says. Incorporating nerve blocks could make UFE an even more attractive option for women seeking fibroid treatment.
The TRA Endovascular Approach
One of the key factors that sets TRA Endovascular apart is its focus on personalized care. Dr. All believes that every patient’s experience is unique, and he works closely with his team to develop treatment plans that address each woman’s specific needs. “Communication is key in ensuring that nothing gets missed,” he explains. He has worked hard to streamline the communication process within the clinic, making sure that all team members are aligned and that patients receive consistent, high-quality care from start to finish.
To further improve the continuity of care, Dr. All has brought on a dedicated nurse practitioner, Bill Finnerty, who works exclusively in the clinic. By having a consistent presence in the clinic, TRA Endovascular has been able to improve the flow of information and ensure that patient needs are met without any lapses in care. “Having a point person in the clinic has made a huge difference in the way we’re able to care for our patients,” he says.
This personalized approach extends beyond just the clinical setting. Dr. All takes the time to get to know each patient, understanding her concerns and working with her to develop a treatment plan that fits her lifestyle and health goals. “We want to make sure that every woman feels comfortable with her treatment plan and confident in her decision,” he explains. TRA Endovascular’s focus on clear communication and personalized care has become a defining feature of the clinic’s approach to women’s health.
Expanding Treatment Options for Women’s Health
While uterine fibroid embolization and gonadal vein embolization remain the cornerstone of TRA Endovascular’s offerings, Dr. All and the IR physicians at TRA are always looking for ways to expand the clinic’s services. One area that excites him is the development of genicular artery embolization, a procedure that treats knee pain caused by arthritis. This innovative treatment offers a solution for patients who are not candidates for knee surgery due to other medical conditions, providing relief without the need for invasive surgery.
“Genicular artery embolization is a procedure that uses the same techniques we use in UFE and GVE to treat arthritis in the knee,” he explains. “It’s always rewarding to be able to make something better without having to resort to invasive surgery.” TRA Endovascular is currently exploring the use of this procedure to treat other conditions as well, such as frozen shoulder, which affects both men and women.
Dr. All believes that expanding TRA Endovascular’s offerings to include treatments like genicular artery embolization is an important step in continuing to provide patients with innovative, minimally invasive options. “It’s all about offering patients choices and making sure that they have access to the best possible care,” he says.
Looking to the Future
Dr. All is optimistic about the future of interventional radiology and the impact it will continue to have on women’s health. In the next five to ten years, he expects to see continued advancements in techniques and technology that will make procedures like UFE and GVE even more effective and accessible. He also envisions greater awareness of these procedures among both patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that women receive timely and appropriate care for conditions that may have previously gone undiagnosed.
While the core techniques of UFE and GVE are well-established, Dr. All believes that there is always room for improvement. “We’re always looking for ways to reduce procedure times, minimize radiation exposure, and improve patient comfort,” he says. By continuing to refine these procedures and explore new innovations, TRA Endovascular is helping to shape the future of women’s health.
Dr. All’s vision for TRA Endovascular is rooted in compassion, innovation and excellence in care. By staying committed to educating both patients and healthcare providers, TRA Endovascular is paving the way for a future where women have more options and better outcomes for conditions that were once treated primarily with invasive surgeries.
Collaboration and Comprehensive Care
TRA Endovascular’s success is not just due to the expertise of Dr. All and his team, but also to their commitment to collaboration with other healthcare providers. He understands the importance of comprehensive care, particularly when dealing with complex conditions like uterine fibroids and pelvic congestion syndrome. To ensure that patients receive the best possible care, TRA Endovascular works closely with gynecologists, family medicine physicians, and other specialists, creating a multidisciplinary approach that addresses all aspects of a patient’s health.
Dr. All stresses, “Collaboration is key, we want to make sure that every woman receives the care she needs, and that means working together with other providers to ensure that nothing is overlooked.” This collaborative approach helps to ensure that women receive the most appropriate and effective treatment for their condition, whether that’s UFE, GVE, or another medical intervention.
As TRA Endovascular continues to grow and expand its services, Dr. All along with the physicians in his team is committed to maintaining this collaborative spirit. They encourage other healthcare providers to consider the benefits of endovascular treatments in their own practices and believes that by working together, the medical community can significantly improve the quality of care available to women with conditions like uterine fibroids and pelvic congestion syndrome.
