Overview

Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical super-speciality that employs minimally invasive procedures using various imaging techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. IR procedures have several advantages over open surgical procedures, including reduced risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.

IR procedures are performed by interventional radiologists, super-specialist professionals with expertise in image-guided procedures. These procedures involve using different imaging modalities such as X-rays, ultrasound, and CT scans to guide the insertion of small instruments or catheters into the body for treatment through a pinhole.

Commonly Used Interventional Radiology (IR) Procedures and Their Advantages

IR procedures have several advantages over traditional surgical methods for cancer treatment, including a lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. Many of them are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day.

- Angioplasty. One of the most common IR procedures is angioplasty, which involves the insertion of a balloon catheter into a blocked blood vessel to improve blood flow.

Dialysis access-related issues can occur in patients who require hemodialysis to treat their kidney disease. One of the most common issues with dialysis access is narrowing or occlusion of the fistula or draining vein, which can be treated with angioplasty, which involves using a balloon catheter to widen the narrowed area.

- Embolisation. Another frequently performed procedure is embolisation, which involves the injection of small particles or coils into a blood vessel to block it, typically to treat a tumour or stop bleeding.
- Biopsy. Other IR procedures include biopsy, which involves the removal of a small tissue sample for testing, and drainage, which involves the insertion of a catheter to remove fluid from the body.
- Ablation. One of the most common IR procedures is ablation, which involves using heat(microwave/RFA) or cold (cryo) to destroy cancerous cells.
- Chemoembolisation. IR can also deliver chemotherapy directly to the tumour, known as chemoembolisation. This procedure involves injecting chemotherapy drugs into the blood vessels that supply the tumour, followed by embolic agents to block the blood flow to the tumour. They can also relieve pain caused by cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Uterine Artery Embolisation. Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, and other symptoms. During UAE, an IR inserts a small catheter into arteries that supply blood to the uterus and inject small particles to block the blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink and die off.

UAE is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgical procedures such as hysterectomy and myomectomy. It has several advantages over these procedures, including shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and lower risk of complications. UAE is done under local anaesthesia/analgesia; patients can usually return to normal activities within a week. Overall, UAE is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery.

- Prostatic Artery Embolisation. Prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat prostatic enlargement as seen in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, and weak urine flow.

During PAE, an IR inserts a small catheter into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate gland. Small particles are then injected into these arteries to block the blood flow to the prostate gland, causing it to shrink and reduce the urinary symptoms associated with BPH.

PAE is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgical procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and prostatectomy. It has several advantages over these procedures, including shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and lower risk of complications such as bleeding and infection and erectile dysfunction. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia; patients can usually return to normal activities within a few days to a week.

PAE is a safe and effective treatment option for men with BPH who wish to avoid traditional surgery.

Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy. Benign breast lesions can be safely removed by Vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB), which is a minimally invasive procedure. It is typically used for non-palpable lesions, which are minor abnormalities in the breast tissue that cannot be felt by hand. During VAB, a small incision is made in the skin, and a vacuum-assisted biopsy device is inserted into the breast tissue. The device uses suction to remove a small tissue sample from the tumour. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. VAB is a safe and effective alternative to surgical biopsy for diagnosing and treating benign breast tumours.

It has several advantages over surgical biopsy, including shorter recovery times, less scarring, and a lower risk of complications such as bleeding and infection. VAB is typically performed outpatient, with most patients returning home the same day.

Thrombectomy. In some cases, a stent may be inserted to keep the access site open. Another issue with dialysis access is thrombosis, which is the formation of a blood clot that can block the access site. Thrombosis can be treated with thrombectomy, which involves the removal of the clot using a needle or catheter. Prevention of dialysis access-related issues is essential and may involve regular monitoring of the access site by IRs. Sometimes these patients may present with swollen upper limbs, which may be seen due to central vein occlusion, which can be safely treated by angioplasty.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Interventional radiology is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery for many medical conditions. It offers several benefits, including shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and a lower risk of complications. If you or someone you know needs medical intervention, consider consulting an interventional radiologist to discuss whether an IR procedure may be suitable. Written by Dr Dheeraj Tiwari