Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology uses minimally invasive procedures guided by images of the body to diagnose and treat numerous types of medical conditions. The images provide a "road map" that allows the radiologist to guide these tiny instruments, such as needles or small catheters, through the body to the area of interest.
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What is interventional radiology?
Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical specialty offering minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using radiologic imaging to guide 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. Imaging tests used during interventional radiology include Xray, MRI, ultrasound, and CT.
Interventional radiologists have extensive training and must show expertise in radiation safety, radiation physics, the biological effects of radiation and radiation injury prevention.
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What conditions/treatments involve interventional radiology?
- Biopsies
- Brain stents
- Catheter insertion
- Minimally invasive cancer treatments, including chemoembolization and radioembolization and cryoablation.
- 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.
- Needle Biopsy
- Angiography
- Biliary Procedures
- Angioplasty
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Myelogram