Interventional Radiology

​What is Interventional Radiology?

Interventional radiology uses medical imaging to diagnose and perform minimally invasive procedures. Minimally invasive procedures involve the use of needles, wires, and small tubes called catheters, often performed under local analgesia. Some of these procedures include the insertion of vascular lines and drains, acquiring biopsies, localised treatment of tumours, and cessation of bleeds in the chest and abdomen. Ultrasound (US), Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and real time X-rays (i.e. fluoroscopy) along with contrast dye are often used to aid radiologists in performing their procedures.

Is Interventional Radiology Safe?

The risk of interventional radiology procedures varies with each procedure. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, and allergic reactions. Each procedure is unique and the risks will be explained by the CGH care team. Interventional radiology procedures that involve X-rays are not recommended for pregnant patients.

Examples of Interventional Procedures:

• Line insertions: For long-term antibiotic treatment, dialysis and chemotherapy
• Liver Interventions:
  • Drain insertion into liver abscesses, infected gallbladder and bile ducts
  • Metal-stenting across liver tumours
  • Liver biopsy: Shunt creation between the portal and hepatic veins for management of symptomatic liver cirrhosis
• Renal interventions: 
  • Drain insertion into the kidney and/or ureters
  • Embolisation of renal angiomyolipomas (benign renal tumours)
• Oncological Interventions:
  • Targeted chemotherapy for liver cancers
  • Heat treatment for benign thyroid nodules, liver and lung cancers
  • Ice treatment for renal and breast cancers
• Lymphatic interventions: Embolisation of thoracic duct
• Biopsies: 
  • Lung biopsies
  • Lymph node biopsies
  • Biopsy of masses in the abdomen and chest
  • Fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules
• Musculoskeletal Interventions: Bone biopsies, joint hydrodilatation, and vertebroplasty
• Vascular Interventions: Vascular filter insertion and removal, ballooning of vessels, cessation of bleeds in the chest and abdomen, removal of clots in the lungs and lower limbs, management of vascular malformations