Interventional radiology procedures are performed throughout the Sentara Healthcare system. Your care team realizes the importance in explaining your procedure thoroughly so that you feel well informed and comfortable.
What is interventional radiology?
Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical specialty that performs minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using radiologic imaging for guiding the procedure.
Interventional radiology treatments have become the primary method of care for a variety of conditions, offering less risk, less pain and less recovery time, compared with open surgery.
Interventional radiologists have had extensive training and must show expertise in radiation safety, radiation physics, the biological effects of radiation and radiation injury prevention.
What imaging tests are used in interventional radiology?
X-rays
MRI
Ultrasound
CT
What conditions/treatments involve IR treatments?
Biopsies
Brain stents
Catheter insertion
Minimally invasive cancer treatments, including chemoembolization and radioembolization and radiofrequency ablation.
Embolization – Used to treat uterine fibroids, trauma victims with massive bleeding, control hemorrhage after childbirth, and as a treatment prior to surgery to decrease blood loss.
Feeding tubes
Kyphoplasty – Minimally invasive surgical procedure used for treating a compression fracture.
Varicoceles – Varicose vein of the testicle and scrotum.
Vertebroplasty – Pain treatment for vertebral compression fractures.
What training does an interventional radiologist receive?
Interventional radiologists are board-certified and fellowship trained physicians whose area of expertise is minimally invasive, targeted treatments.
Interventional radiologists must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete at least five years of graduate medical education (residency).
In addition, interventional radiologists are fellowship trained for at least one year in performing minimally invasive procedures using imaging. This specialized training is certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties and takes place in accredited training programs. Interventional radiologists are certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) in both Diagnostic Radiology and Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
For more information on these topics, visit the RadiologyInfo.org website:
Radioembolization
Chemoembolization
Radiofrequency Ablation
Liver tumors
Lung tumors
Kidney tumors
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