Interventional Radiology
Interventional Radiology (IR) uses x-rays, CT scans and ultrasound to help the radiologist guide tiny instruments through the body to treat medical conditions. Many of these procedures are done on an outpatient basis, without the need for a hospital stay. Usually a local anesthetic is required and risk sedation is given routinely to minimize pain. Recovery time and pain are significantly less than with surgery.
Examples of Interventional Radiological procedures are:
-
Angiography - the study of arteries and veins. Commonly imaged organs are the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, arms and legs.
-
Angioplasty - a procedure in which a catheter (small tube) with a balloon is passed into a vessel that is narrowed. This balloon is inflated to increase the size of the narrowed vessel to allow more blood flow.
-
Gastrostomy - the placement of a feeding catheter in the stomach and small intestine, through the abdominal wall.
-
Needle biopsies - needles are guided to an organ and a piece of tissue is removed through the needle. The tissue is then sent to the lab for examination.
-
Percutaneous drainage of blocked liver or kidneys - a procedure in which a needle or catheter is placed in an organ or in a collection of fluid that is then drained externally.
-
Uterine Fibroid Embolization - this is done after an angiogram of the uterine vessels. Vessels are blocked with an embolization sphere, coil or other means.
-
Salpingography - the study of the Fallopian tubes.
-
Venous access - common examples are PICC (peripheral insert central catheter), implanted venous ports, Groshong catheter, Hickman catheter, centrally inserted dialysis catheters.
-
Vertbroplasty - a procedure in which cement is injected into a fractured vertebrae in order to fix the fracture and relieve pain.
-
Vessel Stenting - is a procedure in which a stent is passed into a narrowed vessel - the stent is expanded and works like a frame to hold the vessel open.
