Laurencia M. Villalba is an Interventional Radiologist based in Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Interventional radiology is a bit different from many other medical areas. It focuses on helping diagnose and treat problems using small tubes and catheters, often with imaging like ultrasound, CT, or X-ray guidance. That can mean less cutting, quicker recovery for some people, and more targeted treatment for the issue at hand.
In day-to-day care, Laurencia looks after patients who have issues with veins and blood flow. This can include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. In many cases, these problems need careful, fast assessment, because blood clots can affect how the body works.
She also treats people with vein narrowing or blockage patterns, such as May Thurner syndrome and nutcracker syndrome (NCS). These conditions can cause ongoing pain, swelling, and pressure in the affected area. At times, the approach may involve procedures to open up narrowed veins, improve circulation, and reduce symptoms.
When needed, treatment may include stent placement and angioplasty, as well as procedures like thrombectomy and thrombectomy-related care for specific clot situations. Venous insufficiency is another area that can come up, especially when leg veins don’t work as they should and fluid builds up.
There are also less common conditions that can affect veins, such as pelvic congestion syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. People often find these can be hard to live with, especially when pain comes and goes or gets worse over time. Laurencia helps map out what’s going on using imaging and then recommends the most sensible next step.
Some patients are referred for venous issues involving the abdomen, including mesenteric venous thrombosis. Care here is usually about acting promptly and planning treatment in a clear, practical way, so people know what to expect.
Besides clot and vein work, the service may include treatment planning for patent foramen ovale (PFO) when that’s part of a person’s medical story. There can also be links to chronic pain areas at times, where imaging-guided options may help with pain management plans.
Laurencia M. Villalba is based in Wollongong and works with the local healthcare team to coordinate imaging and interventional procedures for people who need specialist support.