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

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Interventional Radiology

Interventional Radiology