Question 1

What types of procedures does interventional radiology perform?

Accepted Answer

Interventional radiology performs a broad range of image-guided, minimally invasive procedures, including angioplasty and stenting to open blocked blood vessels, embolization to block blood flow to tumours or bleeding sites, drainage of abscesses or fluid collections, biopsies of internal organs, and placement of catheters or ports for long-term medication delivery. These procedures use imaging guidance, such as X-ray, ultrasound or CT, allowing precise treatment through small incisions rather than open surgery.

Question 2

How does interventional radiology treat internal bleeding?

Accepted Answer

For internal bleeding, interventional radiologists can perform embolization, a procedure where a catheter is guided to the specific bleeding blood vessel and small particles, coils or a specialised agent are used to block blood flow and stop the bleeding, often avoiding the need for emergency open surgery. This technique is commonly used for bleeding after trauma, certain gastrointestinal bleeds, or bleeding related to tumours. It offers a faster, less invasive way to control bleeding in many urgent situations compared to surgical exploration.

Question 3

What is image-guided biopsy and why might it be recommended?

Accepted Answer

An image-guided biopsy uses real-time imaging, such as ultrasound or CT, to precisely guide a thin needle to an area of concern, such as a suspicious lung nodule, liver lesion or lymph node, to obtain a tissue sample for diagnosis. This approach allows sampling of internal organs without open surgery, typically performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, and usually completed within an hour. It's commonly recommended when a mass or abnormality needs tissue confirmation to guide further treatment, such as determining whether it's cancerous.

Question 4

Is interventional radiology safer than traditional surgery?

Accepted Answer

Interventional radiology procedures generally carry a lower risk profile than equivalent open surgery for many conditions, since they involve smaller incisions, less blood loss, and typically shorter recovery times. However, "safer" depends on the specific condition and individual patient factors; not every condition is suitable for a minimally invasive approach, and your care team will recommend the option offering the best balance of effectiveness and safety for your specific situation, sometimes involving both interventional radiology and traditional surgery as part of a combined treatment plan.

Question 5

What follow-up is typically needed after an interventional radiology procedure?

Accepted Answer

Follow-up typically includes monitoring the procedure site for any signs of bleeding or infection, a period of activity restriction that varies by procedure type, from a few hours to a few days, and often a follow-up imaging scan or clinic visit to confirm the treatment achieved its goal. Most patients can return to light activities within a day or two, though your interventional radiologist will provide specific aftercare instructions tailored to your particular procedure.

Interventional Radiology