Guide to Interventional Radiology High Precision in Diagnosis and Treatment 2024

Interventional radiology

Guide to Interventional Radiology High Precision in Diagnosis and Treatment 2024

What is Interventional Radiology?

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that performs a variety of minimally invasive procedures using medical imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (X-ray imaging), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound.

Interventional radiology performs both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures through very small incisions or natural body openings.

Diagnostic interventional radiology procedures are those intended to aid in diagnosis or guide further medical treatment and include image-guided tumor biopsies or the injection of imaging contrast agents into a hollow structure, such as blood vessels or ducts.

Conversely, therapeutic interventional radiology procedures provide direct treatment. These include catheter-based drug delivery, placement of medical devices (e.g., stents), and angioplasty of narrowed structures.

The main benefits of interventional radiology techniques are that they can reach deep body structures through a body opening or a small incision using tiny needles.

This reduces risks, pain, and recovery time compared to open procedures. These benefits are balanced against the additional risks of not having immediate access to internal structures (in the event of bleeding) and the risks of radiation exposure such as cataracts and cancer.

Procedures in which Interventional Radiology is used

Interventional radiologists perform a variety of procedures , including:

  • Angiography: this is an X-ray of the arteries and veins to find blockages or narrowing of the vessels, as well as other problems.
  • Catheterization: the doctor places a small catheter with a balloon tip into a blood vessel. Then he inflates the balloon to open a blockage area inside the vessel.
  • Embolization: the doctor places a substance through a catheter into a blood vessel to stop the flow of blood through this vessel. This can be done to control bleeding.
  • Gastrostomy tubes: the doctor places a feeding tube in the stomach if you are unable to take food by mouth.
  • Intravascular ultrasound: the doctor uses ultrasound to see inside the blood vessels to find problems.
  • Stent placement: the doctor places a small mesh coil (stent) inside a blood vessel at the site of the blockage. He or she expands the stent to open the blockage.
  • Needle biopsy: the doctor places a small needle in almost any part of the body, guided by imaging techniques, to take a tissue biopsy. This type of biopsy can give a diagnosis without surgery. An example of such a procedure is called a needle breast biopsy.
  • Injection of drugs that dissolve clots: the doctor injects drugs that dissolve clots such as tissue plasminogen activator. This medicine dissolves blood clots and increases blood flow to your arms, legs, or organs in your body.
  • Cancer treatment: the doctor gives cancer medicine directly to the tumor site.

How interventional radiology works

Interventional radiologists are doctors who use X-ray imaging technology, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT scans to guide specialized small instruments through the body, allowing them to treat a variety of conditions that affect blood vessels and organs.

The techniques allow targeted treatments and procedures to be performed quickly and safely, resulting in reduced discomfort, faster recovery and better results compared to open procedures.

The difference between interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic radiology.

Diagnostic radiology

Healthcare professionals use this type of radiology to see the structures inside your body.

These images can help your doctor understand the cause of your symptoms, monitor how well your body is responding to treatments and screen for diseases such as cancer or heart disease.

Some of the Most Common Diagnostic Radiology Tools Include:

  • Computed Tomography (CT): CT scans use X-rays to capture images of parts of your body.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI uses magnets and radio waves to capture images of the body.
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): MRA provides images of blood vessels inside the body.
  • Mammography: X-rays used to detect cancer and tumors in the breast.
  • X-rays: X-rays can detect broken bones, pneumonia, and other conditions.
  • Ultrasound: Ultrasound technology uses high-frequency sound waves to view structures in the body.

Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is image-guided surgery. Interventional radiologists use diagnostic imaging tools (such as CT, ultrasound, MRI, and fluoroscopy) to guide their procedures.

Most interventional procedures avoid open surgery and endoscopy, preferring less invasive options.

Some advantages of this type of radiology include lower costs, greater comfort, and faster recovery times.

While it may not always be the best procedure for your condition, it is often more effective than traditional treatments. Examples of interventional radiology procedures include:

  • Embolization to control bleeding
  • Cancer treatments to shrink tumors in the body
  • Needle biopsies for various organs such as the lungs and thyroid
  • Feeding tube placement
  • Catheter placement

Therapeutic Radiology

Therapeutic radiology, often called radiation therapy, is the treatment of cancer and other diseases using radiation. Radiation is used to kill cancer cells and prevent them from returning or reproducing. Radiation therapy can be used to treat cancer or relieve cancer symptoms.

Using molds, headrests, and other devices, radiation oncologists map the treatment area for each patient.

The team often marks the exact area on the body or uses special shields to ensure the radiation procedure targets the correct location.

Treatments can be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or other treatment options.

Steps of interventional radiotherapy

Interventional radiotherapy involves several steps:

  • Planning and evaluation: the target area is identified and a specific treatment plan is developed based on a careful assessment of the patient’s condition and medical history.
  • Preparation for treatment: treatment may require preparatory measures such as local or general anesthesia depending on the patient’s condition and the type of treatment required.
  • Ray guidance: the ray beam is directed point wise to the target area using advanced imaging techniques to ensure the accuracy of the treatment.
  • Radiation therapy: after determining the target site, the appropriate dose of radiation is delivered to the affected area.
  • Follow-up and evaluation: the patient’s response to treatment is monitored and the results are evaluated regularly to ensure the effectiveness of treatment and patient safety.

Interventional radiotherapy is an important option in the treatment of malignant tumors such as breast cancer, prostate, brain, as well as the treatment of certain vascular and neurological diseases and other structural abnormalities.

This type of therapy has many advantages such as rapid response, local effect on tissues, reduction of side effects associated with conventional treatments.

Interventional radiology

Advantages of Interventional Radiology

Many people choose to have an interventional radiologist treat their condition because of the large list of advantages that interventional radiology offers over traditional options such as surgery.

Highly effective and targeted therapy

Since the interventional radiologist can combine medical imaging technology with the procedure, he is able to ensure that the treatment is delivered directly to the target area.  The use of imaging significantly improves the accuracy of diagnosis and increases the effectiveness of the procedure.

Risk reduction

When compared to traditional surgical treatment options, interventional radiology can mitigate the risks to the patient. These include a lower chance of significant blood loss and a lower risk of infection. Since the procedure is performed using an accurate imaging technique, the likelihood of damage to surrounding body parts decreases.

Suitable for many patients

Not all patients can undergo surgery that involves general anesthesia. Underlying health conditions and diseases such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure can increase the risk of complications from general anesthesia.

Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drug use, or heavy alcohol consumption can increase the risk of complications.

However, most interventional radiology treatments using only a local anesthetic (as they require only a very small ‘nick’ to allow access) become suitable for patients who cannot have surgery.

Reduce pain

Interventional radiology procedures are performed through a small incision, usually in the wrist or groin (depending on the procedure) and do not require stitches, staples, or large bandages. Since a local anesthetic was used before the incision was made, any pain that occurs after the procedure is usually very mild.

Faster recovery

Since interventional radiology treatments are minimally invasive, you will return to your normal life much faster than if you had major surgery.

Interventional radiology offers what we would like to refer to as’ enhanced lifestyle outcomes ‘ – all the benefits of major surgery without all the downsides. This means less pain, faster recovery and the ability to heal at home.

Non – stay in the hospital

Most of the procedures performed by an interventional radiologist are done as outpatient procedures. This means not staying overnight (in most cases) in the hospital

Reduced costs

Since interventional radiology treatments are performed as an outpatient, hospital costs are usually reduced compared to surgery.

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