Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology (IR) is an area of radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using image guidance. These procedures may be done for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. In interventional radiology, images are used to direct these procedures, which are usually done with needles or other tiny instruments such as catheters. The images provide road maps that allow the Interventional Radiologist to guide the instruments through the body to the area they will be performing the procedure.
Imaging Methods
Common interventional imaging methods include X-Ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Examples of Interventional Radiology Procedures:
- Angiography – create an image of the blood vessels to look for abnormalities using a contrast solution.
- Balloon Angioplasty/Stent - opening of narrow or blocked blood vessels using a balloon; may include placement of a stent
- Chemoembolization - deliver cancer treatment directly to a tumor and then using a clot-inducing substance to block the artery so that the chemotherapy is not "washed out" by continued blood flow.
- Drain insertions - placement of tubes into different parts of the body to drain fluids
- Embolization - blocking abnormal blood (artery) vessels or organs for treatment purposes. Various embolic agents are used that include alcohol, glue, metallic coils, poly-viny alcohol particles, embospheres, encapsulated chemo-microsphere, and gelfoam.
- Thrombolysis - treatment aimed at dissolving blood clots using both pharmaceutical and mechanical means.
- Biopsy - taking of a tissue sample from the area of interest for pathological examination from a percutaneous or transjugular approach.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RF/RFA) - localized destruction of tissue by heating.
- Cryoablation - localized destruction of tissue by freezing.
- Line insertion - Vascular access and management of specialized kinds of intravenous devices (IVs) (e.g. PICC lines, Hickman lines, subcutaneous ports including translumbar and transhepatic venous lines)
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