What is Interventional Radiology?
Interventional Radiology is a medical sub-speciality of Radiology which utilizes minimally-invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system. The concept behind interventional radiology is to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques currently available in order to minimize risk to the patient and improve health outcomes. Using X-rays, US and CT, Interventional Radiologists obtain images which are then used to direct interventional instruments (guide-wires, catheters, balloons, stents, etc) throughout the body. These devices are introduced into your diseased body part (artery, vein, bile duct, urine duct, etc) via a needle tract smaller than 2 millimetres.
Many conditions that were previously treated with surgery is now treated through a pinhole by an interventional radiologist. For this reason interventional radiology is described as Pinhole Surgery.
Advantages of Interventional Radiology over conventional (open) surgery are; less invasive, quick recovery time, no need for hospitalization, less risk of infection and no need for general anaesthesia.