Interventional Radiology (IR)
About Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology is a special field of radiology that uses imaging, such as x-ray, CT or ultrasound, to guide and perform minimally invasive procedures to diagnose or treat many conditions. Most interventional radiology procedures are done by inserting a small tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, commonly in the groin, wrist or neck. The doctor performing the procedure is able to view the inside of your body on a screen, which allows the doctor to direct the catheter and specialized instruments to the appropriate area of the body.
Our Radiologists
Services and Procedures
Interventional Radiology procedures are done for a wide variety of reasons. Listed below are some common conditions that can be diagnosed or treated with interventional radiology procedures.
Cancer
- Ablation: Uses extreme heat or cold to shrink or destroy a tumor without affecting surrounding tissue.
- Biopsy: Allows a sample of tissue to be taken from your body using a small needle so it can be examined for cancer.
- Chemoembolization: Delivers cancer treatment or medication directly to a tumor, commonly in the liver.
- Chemo port: Places a small, implantable device that attaches to a vein, usually in the upper chest. Allows providers to draw blood and give chemotherapy without a needle stick.
- Y-90 radioembolization: Minimally invasive procedure used to treat liver tumors. Tiny radioactive beads are injected into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, delivering a dose of radiation that can slow or stop the tumor’s growth.
Bleeding and Clots
- Angiography/Venography: Uses imaging to look for abnormalities in your blood vessels.
- Balloon angioplasty/stent: Uses a balloon or metal stents to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels.
- Embolization: Intentionally blocks a blood vessel to stop blood loss from various causes including trauma and gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Thrombectomy: Uses specialized equipment to remove a blood clot from a vessel in conditions such as deep vein thrombosis in the arms or legs and pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs.
- Thrombolysis: Uses medicine and other means to dissolve blood clots in the arteries and veins of many parts of the body.
- IVC filters: Uses special filters that are placed in the large vein that carries blood from the lower part of the body to the heart to prevent blood clots.
- Uterine fibroid embolization: Treats uterine fibroids by blocking the flow of blood to the fibroid, causing it to shrink.
Kidney Failure
- Nephrostomy placement: Allows a catheter to be placed directly into the kidney to drain urine when the normal flow of urine has been obstructed.
- Dialysis access and related intervention: Places special catheters to clear toxins from the blood and help repair poorly functioning dialysis access sites, including arteriovenous fistulas and grafts, and treats and reopens fistulas.
- Fistula creation: Allows a vein to be connected to an artery using heat and pressure from inside the blood vessels. For patients who are candidates, fistulas are used for dialysis and were traditionally done via open surgery.
Liver Disease
- Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS): Allows for the creation of a special shunt within the liver for patients with end-stage liver disease to improve bleeding and ascites, a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
- Biliary intervention: Uses catheters to treat blocked bile ducts, perform biopsies and place stents.
Spine Disorders
- Vertebral augmentation: Treats painful compression fractures of the vertebrae.
- Spinal ablation: Treats tumors within the vertebrae.
Other Conditions and Procedures
- Drain insertion: Uses tubes to drain fluid from an abscess or certain parts of the body. Drain insertion may be necessary for some patients following surgery.
- Line or port insertion: Allows for the access and management of specialized devices that have been placed in the veins for various reasons.
What is interventional radiology?
Interventional radiology for cancer treatment
Embolization in interventional radiology
Benefits
Interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive, which generally involves smaller incisions, shorter recovery times, fewer and shorter hospital stays, less pain, and lower risk of infection post-procedure. Most patients go home the same day as their procedure.
Risks
Risks are usually low due to the minimally invasive nature of most interventional radiology procedures. Risks vary based on the type of procedure you are undergoing. Your provider will discuss the specific benefits and risks of your procedure.
Preparation for Procedure
You will receive specific instructions based on the type of procedure you are undergoing.
Some procedures require little or no prep or recovery, while others require that you have no food or drink for several hours and may require that you stay several hours after the procedure for monitoring.
If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor or technologist.
You should inform your doctor and the technologist performing your exam of any medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements. You should also inform them of any allergies you have and any recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
Most procedures are done in a lab that looks similar to a surgery room. Depending on the procedure, some patients will be sedated. For more specific information about your procedure, please talk to your doctor.
Follow Up
The interventional radiologist who performs your procedure will see you before you leave the hospital. Some patients may also need an additional follow-up appointment.