Interventional Radiology (IR) is a cutting-edge medical specialty that uses advanced imaging technology to guide minimally invasive procedures. This field offers patients a range of alternatives to traditional surgery, often resulting in quicker recovery times, less pain, and minimal scarring. Let’s delve into the world of Interventional Radiology to empower you with knowledge about this innovative approach to healthcare.

What is Interventional Radiology?

Interventional radiology (IR) is a super speciality in radiology involving imaging guidance (such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI) to perform minimally invasive procedures for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Unlike traditional surgery, interventional procedures involve keyhole incisions or no incisions at all, using needles and catheters to reach targeted areas within the body.

Advantages of Interventional Radiology:

• Minimally Invasive: IR procedures often require only keyhole incisions or none at all, reducing the risk of infection and promoting faster recovery.
• Less Pain: Compared to traditional surgery, interventional procedures generally result in less pain and discomfort for patients.
• Quicker Recovery: The faster recovery extends to shorter hospital stays and many procedures being carried out on a day-care basis, enabling patients to resume their normal activities promptly.
• Reduced Scarring: The use of keyhole incisions means no or minimal scarring, enhancing both the physical and cosmetic aspects of the treatment.

Here is a list of common interventional radiology procedures:

Neurointerventional Procedures:

• Cerebral angiography
• Endovascular treatment of stroke, brain aneurysms & AVMs
• Carotid artery stenting

Peripheral and body Interventions:

• Angioplasty and stenting for peripheral arterial disease (leg ulcer and pain)
• Varicose veins treatment (Laser & Venaseal), DVT thrombolysis & IVC filter
• Varicocele embolisation
• Prostate artery embolisation
• Uterine artery embolisation
• Bronchial artery embolisation
• Thyroid ablation (RFA & Microwave)

Hepato-biliary Interventions:

• Ablations (RFA, Microwave) & TACE for Liver tumors
• TJLB, TIPS, DIPS, BRTO procedures for CLD
• Biliary drainage & stenting

Venous Access Procedures:

• PICC line, Central venous catheter & Permacath placement.
• ChemoPort placement

Dialysis Access Interventions: Fistulagram and angioplasty for arteriovenous (AV) fistulas

Gastrointestinal Interventions: Embolisation for upper and lower GI bleeds

Urological interventions: Percutaneous nephrostomy, Prostate artery embolisation for BPH, Renal tumor ablation & embolisation

Oncological interventions: Ablative therapies and chemoembolization.

Pain management: Celiac plexus block, Steroid injection for musculoskeletal, degenerative disc & spine diseases.

Biopsy & drainage procedure