For Doctors & Referrers
Refer a patient to Dr Ryan McConnell
Dr Ryan McConnell is an interventional radiologist in Sydney providing specialist assessment and minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for a range of vascular and non-vascular conditions.
Referrals are welcome from GPs, gynaecologists, urologists, vascular specialists and other medical practitioners. Patients can be referred for consideration of a specific procedure or for an opinion about whether an interventional radiology treatment may be appropriate.
Where appropriate, Dr McConnell will review existing imaging and investigations, discuss treatment options with the patient and communicate the outcome of the consultation with the referring doctor.
Referral Areas
Conditions commonly referred for assessment
Patients may be referred for assessment of a known condition, or when advice is required about whether an interventional radiology procedure could provide an alternative to surgery or ongoing medical management.
Prostate enlargement
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Assessment for prostate artery embolisation (PAE) in patients with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms due to prostate enlargement.
Uterine fibroids
Assessment of patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who may wish to consider uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) as a uterus-preserving treatment option.
Varicocele
Assessment of symptomatic varicocele, recurrent varicocele or varicocele associated with fertility concerns, including consideration of varicocele embolisation.
Pelvic venous disease
Assessment of patients with suspected pelvic venous disease, including pelvic pain associated with pelvic venous reflux and vulval or pelvic-origin varicosities.
Where appropriate, pelvic vein embolisation may be considered following clinical and imaging assessment.
Vascular and endovascular conditions
Assessment for selected vascular and endovascular procedures, including angiography, angioplasty and stenting, and other image-guided vascular interventions.
Interventional Radiology Assessment
You do not need to determine the procedure before referring
A referral does not need to request a specific intervention.
If there is uncertainty about whether embolisation or another image-guided treatment is appropriate, patients can be referred for an interventional radiology opinion.
Dr McConnell can review the clinical history and relevant imaging, determine whether further investigation is required and discuss the available treatment options with the patient.
This can be particularly useful when a patient:
- has persistent symptoms despite conservative or medical management
- wishes to understand minimally invasive alternatives to surgery
- has imaging findings that may be amenable to an image-guided treatment
- has recurrent symptoms following previous treatment
- has a condition where the relevance of an imaging finding is uncertain
- would benefit from multidisciplinary discussion before deciding on treatment
When intervention is not appropriate, this will be explained to the patient and communicated back to the referring practitioner.
Making a Referral
What to include in your referral
A referral should include the clinical question and relevant history. Where available, it is helpful to include:
01
Clinical history
The patient's presenting symptoms, duration and relevant previous treatment.
02
Relevant investigations
Details of relevant ultrasound, CT, MRI or other imaging. Existing imaging can be reviewed where available.
03
Relevant medical history
Important comorbidities, previous procedures and current medications, particularly anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.
04
Reason for referral
This may be a request for consideration of a particular procedure or simply an opinion regarding whether an interventional radiology treatment is appropriate.
A patient does not necessarily need to have completed every investigation before referral. Further imaging or investigations can be arranged when required following assessment.
After Referral
What happens after you refer a patient?
Following referral, the patient will be assessed by Dr McConnell and relevant previous imaging and investigations reviewed.
Depending on the clinical situation, the next step may be:
- further imaging or investigation
- continued conservative or medical management
- discussion of an image-guided procedure
- referral back to the treating specialist or another appropriate clinician
- multidisciplinary management where appropriate
If a procedure is being considered, Dr McConnell will discuss the expected benefits, limitations, alternatives, risks and recovery with the patient before a decision is made.
The referring practitioner will be kept informed of the assessment and treatment plan.
Referral
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Consultation & imaging review
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Further investigation if required
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Treatment plan
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Communication with referrer
Collaborative Care
Working alongside the referring doctor
Interventional radiology is often one component of a patient's broader care.
Dr McConnell works alongside referring GPs and specialists, with treatment decisions based on the patient's symptoms, imaging findings, previous management and individual circumstances.
For conditions such as BPH, uterine fibroids and chronic pelvic pain, ongoing involvement of the patient's urologist, gynaecologist or other treating specialist may remain important regardless of whether an interventional procedure is performed.
The aim of the consultation is to provide a clear interventional radiology opinion and help the patient and their treating doctors make an informed decision about the next step.
Leg Vein Referrals
Varicose and spider veins
Dr McConnell also treats varicose veins and other superficial venous conditions through Vein Doctors Sydney, with dedicated vein clinics in Manly and St Leonards.
For leg varicose veins, spider veins and related superficial venous disease, referral information and treatment details are available through Vein Doctors Sydney.
Referrals
Refer a patient
Patients can be referred to Dr Ryan McConnell for assessment of a specific condition or procedure, or for an interventional radiology opinion when the most appropriate treatment pathway is uncertain.
Please include the relevant clinical history and available investigation details with the referral.