Interventional radiology

Interventional radiology A

Interventional radiology (IR), sometimes known as vascular and interventional radiology (VIR), is a medical specialty that focuses on minimally invasive, targeted treatments using imaging guidance. The primary tools used in IR are radiology imaging techniques, such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound.

IMRI suite

A typical positioning of the operators during a CT guided operation

History

Interventional radiology traces its origins to the early 20th century with the advent of medical imaging. The development of catheter technology in the 1960s, combined with advanced imaging techniques, set the stage for the rise of IR as a distinct specialty.

CCSVI balloon dilatation of stenosed jugular vein

Procedures

IR procedures are minimally invasive alternatives to open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Some common IR procedures include:

• Angioplasty and stent placement – to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels.
• Chemoembolization – delivering cancer-fighting agents directly to the site of a cancer tumor.
• Uterine fibroid embolization – to treat fibroids in the uterus.
• Biopsy procedures – taking small tissue samples for diagnostic purposes.
• Radiofrequency ablation – to treat tumors.
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty – to treat vertebral compression fractures.

Equipment and Tools

Interventional radiologists use a range of equipment, the most common being:

• Catheters – thin, flexible tubes.
• Needles – of various sizes and designs.
• Guide wires – to guide catheters into place.
• Imaging machines – including fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

Biliary stenosis

Benefits and Risks

Benefits

PEG tube insertion

• Minimally invasive, often reducing pain and recovery time.
• Often avoids the need for larger surgeries.
• Can be less expensive than surgical treatments.
• May reduce the risk of infection.

Risks

• Possible allergic reactions to contrast materials.
• Infections.
• Bleeding at the puncture site.
• Damage to blood vessels.

Training and Certification

To become an interventional radiologist, a physician must undergo extensive training. This usually involves:

• A diagnostic radiology residency.
• A 1-2 year specialized IR fellowship.

After completing the training, physicians can obtain board certification in interventional radiology from bodies like the American Board of Radiology.

List of Interventional radiology doctors (USA)

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

US territories

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• District of Columbia

Glossary of terms

• Angioplasty - A procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels using a balloon.
• Angiosome - A territory of tissue supplied by a specific artery.
• Atherectomy - A procedure to remove plaque from blood vessels.
• Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration - A treatment for esophageal varices.
• Biopsy - Procedure to remove a tissue sample for diagnostic purposes.
• Bronchial artery embolization - Procedure to treat hemoptysis.
• Cholecystostomy - A procedure to drain the gallbladder.
• Cryoablation - Using extreme cold to destroy tissue.
• Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy - A bronchoscopic technique.
• Embolectomy - Removal of an embolus.
• Embolization - A procedure to block blood flow to an area.
• Endovascular aneurysm repair - Repair of an aneurysm using a stent-graft.
• Endovascular coiling - A procedure to treat aneurysms.
• Ethylene vinyl alcohol - A type of embolic agent.
• Hepatic artery embolization - A treatment for liver tumors.
• Image-guided radiation therapy - Using imaging for radiation therapy guidance.
• Inferior vena cava filter - A device to prevent pulmonary embolism.
• Interventional neuroradiology - Treatments related to the nervous system's blood vessels.
• Interventional oncology - Procedures for cancer treatment.
• Interventional pulmonology - Procedures related to the lungs and bronchi.
• Irreversible electroporation - A method to destroy tissue.
• Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology - An Italian medical society.
• Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology - A professional journal.
• Microwave ablation - Using microwaves to destroy tissue.
• Nephrostomy - A procedure to drain the kidney.
• Onyx (interventional radiology) - A type of embolic agent.
• Paracentesis - A procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen.
• Percutaneous intentional extraluminal revascularization - A revascularization procedure.
• Portal vein embolization - Preparing for liver surgery.
• Radiation lobectomy - A treatment for liver tumors.
• Radiofrequency ablation - Using radiofrequency energy to destroy tissue.
• Renal sympathetic denervation - A treatment for resistant hypertension.
• Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta - A trauma procedure.
• Seldinger technique - A method to gain access to blood vessels.
• Selective aortic arch perfusion - A resuscitation procedure.
• Selective internal radiation therapy - A treatment for liver tumors.
• Stent - A device to hold open blood vessels.
• Surface-guided radiation therapy - Using the skin's surface for guidance.
• Thoracentesis - Procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space.
• Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization - A treatment for liver tumors.
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt - A treatment for portal hypertension.
• Uterine artery embolization - A treatment for fibroids.
• Vascular closure device - A device to close a puncture site.
• Vascular snare - A device to retrieve foreign objects.
• Vertebral augmentation - A treatment for vertebral fractures.

See Also

• Radiology
• Diagnostic Radiology
• Radiation Therapy
• Medical Imaging

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