Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is a specialty that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat conditions without the need for surgery. Many interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and involve the use of a needle, catheter tubes or both. Radiologists who perform these procedures are known as interventional radiologists. To become an interventional radiologist, you must go through specialized training and receive a board certification that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. These radiologists are fellowship trained in percutaneous interventions using targeted imaging.

Interventional Radiology Benefits

Interventional radiology advantages include:

• Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, or require only a short hospital stay
• General anesthesia is usually not required
• Risk, pain and recovery time are less than traditional surgery

Some examples of interventional radiology procedures:

• Angioplasty and vascular stenting
• Carotid artery stenting
• Catheter angiography and embolization
• Chemoembolization
• Computer tomography (CT) angiography
• Cryotherapy
• Endovenous ablation of varicose veins
• Endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet and selective nerve root blocks
• Kyphoplasty
• Magnetic resonance (MR) - angiography and guided breast biopsy
• Needle biopsy of lung (chest) nodules
• Radiofrequency ablation of live and lung tumors
• Stroke thrombolysis
• Thrombolysis
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
• Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
• Uterine fibroid embolization
• Vascular access procedures
• X-ray-guided breast biopsy