Matthias Fürstner will head the Institute of Radiology in St. Veit from 2026!

Matthias Fürstner will head the Institute of Radiology in St. Veit from 2026!

There is exciting news in Carinthia's healthcare system at the beginning of 2026: Matthias Fürstner will take over the management of the Institute of Radiology at the Hospital of the Barmfühlen Brüder St. Veit an der Glan and at the Elisabethinen Hospital Klagenfurt. The appointment succeeds Heinz Lackner, who is retiring. Matthias Fürstner has an impressive career that has taken him through various medical positions. He originally never wanted to become a radiologist, but he only discovered his passion for radiology after his time as a general practitioner and emergency doctor.

Fürstner studied at the Karl-Franzens University of Graz and gained important practical experience at the state hospitals in Wolfsberg and Klagenfurt before switching to radiology in 2007. With over 400 minimally invasive ablation procedures performed to his credit - including the groundbreaking radiofrequency ablation of the spine in 2017 and the cryoablation of kidney tumors in 2018 - he is considered a pioneer in Austria. His international experience, including a CIRSE fellowship at the University Hospital in Strasbourg, brings a breath of fresh air to the institute.

A wide range of treatment options

Interventional radiology, a focus of Fürstner, is dedicated to minimally invasive procedures that cover both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. These techniques make it possible to treat diseases with precise, image-guided procedures, usually performed under local anesthesia. This means they are usually pain-free and outpatient.

The most common applications include the treatment of chronic joint pain, which is often caused by osteoarthritis or tendonitis. An innovative procedure is transarterial periarticular embolization (TAPE), which was developed specifically for patients who fail conventional therapies. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the arterial blood vessels of the diseased joint to reduce blood flow to inflamed areas. This provides lasting pain relief and promotes healing without having to perform invasive surgery reports the Leipzig University Hospital.

Commitment to the future

Matthias Fürstner is not only known for his practical skills, but also for his passion as a teacher. He teaches at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and at the Academy for Radiology Technology. His approach to fostering a team environment with flat hierarchies, clear communication and collegial leadership style speaks to his vision of a positive work atmosphere and first-class patient service.

In addition to his teaching activities, Fürstner is also involved in international conferences and contributes to numerous publications. As a proctor for Boston Scientific, he also trains doctors in the latest ablation techniques. One of his most innovative methods - the use of high-resolution video and augmented reality systems to virtually accompany procedures - shows how technologically savvy the new director is and how prepared he is to advance radiology in Austria says the Saint Josef Clinic.

It remains exciting to see how Matthias Fürstner and his team will further develop the radiological options in Carinthia in order to continue to support patients and offer them fast and efficient treatment.