The Kinked Wire
The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) brings you a new podcast on all the topics that impact your practice of IR, with focused subseries reflecting the broad range of the specialty. In each episode, hosts and guests discuss new clinical opportunities, practice management tips, the latest trends and developments in the specialty, and more. Learn more on sirweb.org, irq.sirweb.org, and sirweb.org/kinkedwire. If you have any ideas for topics or guests, or have any other feedback, let us know at [email protected]. For corporate support opportunities, contact SIR at [email protected]. The views and...
Ep. 90: Live where you want, work where you're needed: The benefits and realities of rural IR
On this episode of the Kinked Wire, Ian J. Wilson, MD and J. Dana Dunleavy, MD, discuss building practices and establishing relationships in rural communities.
Highlights of the discussion:
Rural IR is advanced IR. Dr. Wilson says a quiet day of bread-and-butter cases can turn into a complex GI bleed embolization at 4:30. In a rural hospital, "You're it."Collaboration drives care. Strong relationships with urologists, GI specialists, and primary care physicians let IRs offer PAE, nephrostomy tubes, stents, and cryoablation locally. This keeps patients from traveling to distant centers....JVIR audio abstracts: November 2026
Articles
"Drug-Eluting Stents versus Drug-Coated Balloons Plus Bare-Metal Stents for the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Lesions: 2-Year Outcomes from the TALENT Study" (Full article)"Transarterial Embolization for Pediatric Pelvic Fracture Hemorrhage: A National Trauma Data Bank Analysis (2013–2023)""Preserving the Injured Kidney: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study of Contemporary Management Strategies at a Level 1 Trauma Center""Therapy Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Computer-Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy versus Open Embolectomy: The THRIVE Study"Host
Marie Hamel, the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityAudio Editor
Andrew Sasser, University of Mi...Ep. 89: IR on the Hill pt. 2
What current legislative priorities will affect IR?
In the first part of this episode, SIR and SIR Foundation Treasurer C. Matthew Hawkins, MD, MBA, FSIR, speaks with Roger Tomihama, MD, MBA, FSIR, chair of SIR’s Government Affairs Committee, and Chris Eastlee, SIR’s senior manager for government relations, about the value of coalition advocacy and why IR-specific education for lawmakers is so crucial.
This week, learn more about the legislative and regulatory priorities affecting interventional radiology, particularly physician reimbursement, prior authorization, and the importance of sustained advocacy.
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Episode 88: IR on the Hill
What's it like to be an IR advocate in Washington?
In this two-parter, SIR Treasurer C. Matthew Hawkins, MD, MBA, FSIR, speaks with Roger T. Tomihama, MD, MBA, FSIR, chair of SIR’s Government Affairs Committee, and Chris Eastlee, SIR’s senior manager for government relations, about federal advocacy for interventional radiology. Learn about the Alliance for Specialty Medicine, SIR’s role in the alliance, and how a Capitol Hill visit works.
Stay tuned for part two: what upcoming legislative priorities will affect IRs?
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JVIR audio abstracts: October 2026
Articles
Medical Therapies for Vascular Anomalies: What Interventional Radiologists Need to Know (Read)Short-Term and Long-Term Changes in Renal Function Following Percutaneous Cryoablation: A Comparison of Endophytic Versus Exophytic Renal Tumors (Read)Ablative Radioembolization Dosing Thresholds for Glass Microspheres Predictive of Complete Imaging Response and Survival in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinomas Larger than 4 cm: A Multi-institution Retrospective Analysis (Read)Safety and Impact on Sustainability of Reduced Protective Equipment inUltrasound-Guided Paracentesis: A Retrospective Cohort Study (<...
Episode 87: Pain management in IR with Alexa Levey, MD
In this episode of the Kinked Wire, Anh-Tho Nguyen interviews Alexa Levey, MD, about her advice for dealing with pain management as an IR, and what the future looks like in IR pain management.
This episode was published during September 2026, in part to acknowledge Pain Management Month. To learn more about how IR can be used to treat pain, visit our patient center.
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Episode 86: 2026 WIR Champion Award winner Sue Hanks, MD, FSIR
2026 Women in IR Champion Sue E. Hanks, MD, FSIR, reflects on her career in interventional radiology, sharing insights on leadership, trauma care, mentorship and the value of building collaborative, data-driven teams. Joined by colleagues M. Victoria Marx, MD, FSIR, Shellie C. Josephs, MD, FSIR, and Alda L. Tam, MD, MBA, FSIR, she discusses the importance of hands-on training, cross-specialty collaboration, networking and creating supportive spaces where physicians can learn from both successes and challenges.
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JVIR audio abstracts: September 2026
Articles
IN.PACT AV Access Post-Approval Study of a Paclitaxel Drug-Coated Balloon for the Treatment of Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Dialysis Circuits (Read)Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Resection, Ablation and Radiation Segmentectomy for Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma ≤3 centimeters from a U.S. Payor’s Perspective (Read)Clinical Criteria for Improved Outcomes in Patients Who Undergo Percutaneous CT-Guided Pudendal Nerve Cryoablation: A Retrospective Analysis (Read)Host
Marie Hamel, the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityAudio Edit...
Episode 85: Building credibility and goodwill in hospital leadership with James B. Spies, MD, MPH, FSIR
In this episode, James B. Spies, MD, MPH, FSIR, speaks with Moaz Choudhary, MD, about the highlights of his career, and how to deal with the highs and lows of managing IR teams.Â
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Episode 84: Adrenal vein sampling
In this episode of the Kinked Wire podcast, Parveer Kaur and Lei Yu, MD, discuss how Dr. Yu has seen an increase in the number of adrenal vein sampling procedures she does in Omaha. She also dives into why her methodical approach works for her, and her patients.Â
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JVIR audio abstracts: August 2026
Articles
Comparison of Functional Outcomes and Safety of Acute Carotid Stent Placement versus Thrombectomy Alone in the Treatment of Patients with Tandem Occlusions in Acute Ischemic Stroke (Read)Portal Vein Stent Placement in a Pancreatic Cancer Cohort: Outcomes and Predictors of Portal Stent Occlusion (Read)Stereotactic Percutaneous Thermal Ablation of Primary and Metastatic LiverTumors: A Prospective Registry-Based Study (Read)
Host
Marie Hamel, the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University...
Episode 83: Fibroids on your FYP
In this episode of the Kinked Wire vodcast, Gabrielle Dickerson, Nossin Khan and Emily Kim join host Keith M. Horton, MD, FSIR for a discussion about their research presented at the SIR 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting.Â
The research centers around uterine fibroids and how patients learn about potential minimally invasive treatment options, like uterine fibroid embolization, through social media.Â
Learn more about uterine fibroids on the Radiology Health Equity Coalition website: https://www.radhealthequity.org/About-Us/For-Patients/Uterine-Fibroid-Resources
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Episode 82: From RFS to Educator: Mentorship and connection building with Joshua Kuban, MD, FSIR
In this episode of the Kinked Wire, RFS’s Joshua Baker, MD, speaks with Joshua Kuban, MD, FSIR, one of the 2026 IR Residency Practicum program directors. From seeking out mentors to building referral relationships, Dr. Kuban discusses the importance of finding connections in IR.
PLUS: Learn about the upcoming changes to this year’s IR Residency Practicum.
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JVIR audio abstracts: July 2026
Articles
Understanding Recurrence in Pelvic Venous Disorders through the Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology Classification: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study (Read)Oncologic Outcomes of Microwave Ablation of Biopsy-Proven cT1a Renal CellCarcinomas (Read)Patient and Lesion Characteristics Associated with 12-Month Clinical Maturation after Angioplasty of Immature Autogenous Arteriovenous Dialysis Fistulae (Read)
Host
Marie Hamel, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityAudio Editor
Andrew Sasser, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School...Episode 81: Get ready for a different kind of meeting: SIR EDGE
EDGE program committee members Ziv J Haskal, MD, FSIR; Brian Funaki, MD, FSIR; and Daniel Sze, MD, PhD, FSIR came together to discuss what you can expect from this year's meeting in Louisville, KY. Attend the meeting and learn through cases, decisions and real‑world judgment.
Watch the vodcast
Register for EDGE
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Episode 80: Early career pathways to education leadership
Lei Yu, MD, the ECSÂ secretary, speaks with former SIR president Parag J. Patel, MD, FSIR, on early career pathways for education leadership, how to overcome imposter syndrome and use the best of your time, and how to navigate your place and identity in the early career days.
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JVIR audio abstracts: June 2026
Articles
The Society of Interventional Radiology Practice Guidance Document on Venous Origin Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women (Read)Comparative Prognostic Accuracy of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Scores and the Freiburg Index of Post–Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Survival in Patients Undergoing Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Procedure for Ascites or Gastroesophageal Bleeding: A Meta-Analysis of Time-Specific Mortality (Read)Intravascular Lithotripsy for Peripheral Artery Calcification: 30-Day and 6-Month Outcomes from the RESTORE ATK Study (Read)Transarterial Embolization to Improve Pla...Episode 79: IR Trailblazers 2
As part of the SIR Resident Fellow and Student Section initiative, this special episode of the Kinked Wire is part of the IR Trailblazers series.Â
Joshua Baker, MD, and Alexander Misono, MD, MBA, discuss career guidance, practice, innovations, skill development, and professional identity building.Â
SIR thanks Medtronic for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us with your ideas and questions, or read more about interventional radiology in IR Quarterly magazine or SIR's Patient Center.
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Episode 78: Practice Advice for Early Career IRs
Zachary Berman, MD, takes time to speak with Rupal Parikh, MD, about her experience in her early career, especially how she got interested in women's health interventions and her transition from residency into building a practice.
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Episode 77: IR Trailblazers 1
Ezequiel Silva, MD, FSIR, has a conversation with host Sherief Ghozy, MD, on this special episode of the IR Trailblazers, a project from the SIR Resident, Fellow and Student (RFS) Section.
During this episode, they discuss the role that AI may be taking in interventional radiology and do a speed round of questions.
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JVIR audio abstracts: May 2026
Articles
Oncologic and Functional Outcomes of Active Surveillance and Ablative Therapy for Small Renal Masses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Read)Transvenous Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts (TEPS): Intravascular Ultrasound- Guided Creation of Portocaval, Mesocaval, and Splenorenal Shunts (Read)Safety and Feasibility of Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Cirrhosis-Induced Splenomegaly and Thrombocytopenia: Results from an Investigational Device Exemption Study (Read)Host
Sonya Choe, University of California Riverside School of MedicineAudio Editor
Marie Hamel...Live from Toronto: SIR 2026 Wednesday, April 15
During the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, visit the SIR Today website each day for session previews and recaps, leadership and author interviews, award-winner inspirations, and more. Tune in to these audio updates each morning for the day's programming highlights, new content coming from SIR Today and audio clips.
Thanks for attending SIR 2026!
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Live from Toronto: SIR 2026 Tuesday, April 14
During the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, visit the SIR Today website each day for session previews and recaps, leadership and author interviews, award-winner inspirations, and more. Tune in to these audio updates each morning for the day's programming highlights, new content coming from SIR Today and audio clips.
Corporate Lunches and Events
Compelling Conversations
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Live from Toronto: SIR 2026 Monday, April 13
During the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, visit the SIR Today website each day for session previews and recaps, leadership and author interviews, award-winner inspirations, and more. Tune in to these audio updates each morning for the day's programming highlights, new content coming from SIR Today and audio clips.
Defining the quality of IR using big data (VIRTEX)
Corporate Lunches and Events
Compelling Conversations
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Live from Toronto: SIR 2026 Sunday, April 12
During the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, visit the SIR Today website each day for session previews and recaps, leadership and author interviews, award-winner inspirations, and more. Tune in to these audio updates each morning for the day's programming highlights, new content coming from SIR Today and audio clips.
Corporate Lunches and Events
Compelling Conversations
SIR Connect Townhalls
Support the show
Live from Toronto: SIR 2026 Saturday, April 11
During the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, visit the SIR Today website each day for session previews and recaps, leadership and author interviews, award-winner inspirations, and more. Tune in to these audio updates each morning for the day's programming highlights, new content coming from SIR Today and audio clips.
Support the show
Live from Toronto: SIR 2026 Friday, April 10
During the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, visit the SIR Today website each day for session previews and recaps, leadership and author interviews, award-winner inspirations, and more. Tune in to these audio updates each morning for the day's programming highlights, new content coming from SIR Today and audio clips.
Support the show
JVIR audio abstracts: April 2026
Articles
Bronchial Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Tislelizumab for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory, Prospective, Single-Arm, Phase II Trial (Read)Incidence and Clinical Course of Lower-Limb Lymphedema after Intranodal n-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate Embolization for Postoperative Lymphorrhea (Read)Superselective Transarterial Embolization Using Imipenem/Cilastatin Sodium for Plantar Fasciitis Refractory to Conservative Management (Read)Host
Sonya Choe, University of California Riverside School of MedicineAudio Editor
Marie Hamel, Warren Alpert Medical School of...Episode 75: Legacy of Dotter
“IR wasn’t initially a specialty—it was just a diagnostic tool. Dotter began to think of it as more than a tool.” — John A. Kaufman, MD, FSIR
On this episode of the Kinked Wire, Alden Davis of Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Medicine speaks with John A. Kaufman, MD, FSIR, on the legacy of the Dotter Institute at OHSU and the future of IR education.
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SIR thanks Medtronic for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us with your ideas and q...
Episode 76: Global IR—SIR 2026 bonus episode
"I where things are now are way beyond like my imagination. Like, like even when I was imagining how things would play out, I didn't even imagine that it would be this far ahead at this stage of my career." — Chidubem G. Ugwueze, MD, MSÂ
In this special bonus episode ahead of the SIR 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, Alden Davis and Chidubem G. Ugwueze, MD, MS, speak about global health and how IR is spreading, especially to areas like Nigeria, and what steps are next.
Join us for the Global IR...
JVIR audio abstracts: March 2026
Articles
Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis of the Cardiovascular Effects of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis (Read)Percutaneous Cryoablation of T1b Renal Tumors: A Retrospective Evaluation of Local Tumor Control, Renal Function Preservation, Adverse Events, and Ablation Margins in 80 Patients (Read)Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Perivascular versus Nonperivascular Hepatocellular Carcinomas ≤3 cm: Local Tumor Progression and Survival in an Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Analysis (Read)
Host
Audio Editor
...Episode 74: ECS RISE Award
Marc Lim, MD interviews AJ Gunn, MD, FSIR, the inaugural Early Career RISE Award recipient, about his commitment to community building and supporting early‑career IRs. Dr. Gunn reflects on the influences that shaped him, early‑career challenges, building strong professional relationships, managing workload and the value of ECS involvement, including initiatives like the Virtual Angio Club, as well as his vision for the Renal/GU Clinical Specialty Council and key takeaways from SIR Annual Meeting activities.
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SIR thanks Medtronic for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us with your ideas and questions, or re...
Bonus episode: SIR's Business Institute
On this bonus episode of the Kinked Wire, Derek Mittleider, MD, FSIR, speaks with Business Institute program directors Allan I. Hoffman, MD, FSIR, and Mary Costantino, MD, FSIR, about the impact that the Business Institute could have on your practice.
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This episode has been uploaded as a vodcast on the SIR YouTube channel.
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Related resources:
Register for the SIR Business InstituteDon't miss the SIR Annual Scientific MeetingÂ
SIR thanks Medtronic for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us...
JVIR audio abstracts: February 2026
This recording features audio versions of the February 2025 Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) abstracts:
Articles
Transarterial Embolization for Refractory Adhesive Capsulitis and Related Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Read)Standardized Technique for Prostatic Artery Embolization: A Delphi Consensus Study on Optimized Methods and Emerging Concepts (Read)Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Combined with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease 3.0 as a Prognostic Predictor for Patients with Liver Cirrhosis after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation (Read)Safety and Feasibility of Intra-Arterial Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer...Episode 73: Pregnancy in Residency
 "Comments like this 'Oh, I didn't think you would continue in IR after having your baby,' don't help, because you're already going through a lot." -- Esha Kothekar, MDÂ
As part of the Kinked Wire podcast, medical student and SIR member Marie Hamel speaks with Esha Kothekar, MD, and Lei Yu, MD, the Women in Interventional Radiology Section vice chair, about the challenges that come with pregnancy as an interventional radiologist.
SIR thanks Medtronic for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us with your ideas and qu...
JVIR audio abstracts: January 2026
This recording features audio versions of the January 2025 Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) abstracts:
Articles
Cryoablation Protocols for Primary and Metastatic Lung Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating Effectiveness and Safety of Percutaneous Cryoablation of Pulmonary Tumors (Read)Outcomes of Percutaneous Cystic Duct Stent Placement for Acute Cholecystitis (Read)Transarterial Microembolization Therapy for Chronic First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain: A New Minimally Invasive Approach (Read)Tumor-Absorbed Dose, Metabolic Response, and Survival after Yttrium-90 Radioembolization in Patients with Breast Cancer Liver Metastases (Read)...Episode 72: Away rotations in IR
“Always assume that everyone knows more than you do, and go into places with a lot of modesty.” – Brittany Brookner, MD
In this episode of the Kinked Wire, Virginia Tech Carilion medical student Aysha Alani hosts a discussion between PGY-2 Brittany Brookner, MD, and PGY-6 Chief Resident Neil Jain, MD, about their experiences, advice and absolute don'ts for away rotations.Â
SIR thanks Medtronic for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us with your ideas and questions, or read more about interventional radiology in IR Quarterly magaz...
Episode 71: ECS Contributions and innovations in IR with Brian Funaki, MD, FSIR
“I started off simply by volunteering to do things and being interested, but I didn’t have a mentor, per say.” – Brian Funaki, MD, FSIR
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In this episode of the Kinked Wire, host Thomas Tullius, Jr., MD, speaks with his former attending Brian Funaki, MD, FSIR, on his career progression, from trainee to incoming JVIR co-editor in chief.
SIR thanks BD for its generous support of the Kinked Wire.
Contact us with your ideas and questions, or read more about interventional radiology in IR Quar...
JVIR audio abstracts: December 2025
This recording features audio versions of the December 2025 Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) abstracts:
Articles
Association between Age of Kidney Transplant and Hemorrhagic Adverse Events Following Transplant Kidney Biopsy (Read)A Prospective Single-Arm Trial of Genicular Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Clinical and Biomarker Outcomes (Read)Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Colonic Diverticular Bleeding: Outcomes and Risk Factors for Rebleeding (Read)Simultaneous Portal and Hepatic Vein Embolization versus Portal Vein Embolization Only...IRQ audio 17: The unexpected locum
Mark H. Knelson, MD, thought his IR career had come to an early end—until he discovered locum tenens work.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Knelson heard that one of the radiology groups in his town was short on IRs. Because it was so close to his home—approximately 13 minutes—he offered to help, including taking call as needed.
In the audio version of "The unexpected locum" (Fall 2025 IR Quarterly), senior editorial manager Hope Racine describes the career of Mark H. Knelson, MD, who shared his unplanned path to locums work.Â
Suppor...
