Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure which helps cure a number of diseases. In this article we will discuss the different interventional radiology procedures, implemented as a treatment option…
The field of medicine is fast developing with many new technologies being introduced in order to treat a number of ailments, even those which have penetrated deep into the body. One such recent technology is the interventional radiology procedure. This medical process helps the doctor to diagnose and treat the disease. With the help of guide tools, the physician can review the internal of the organs and see if there is any abnormality in them. This is where the interventional radiology procedures come in handy. Let us take a look at the different types of this diagnostic procedures through the following paragraphs.
What is Interventional Radiology?
The human body is a complex network of a number of organ systems, connected to each other with the help of nerves and blood vessels. Since it is tough to go delve deep into this system to check for disorders, medical imaging which uses tools like ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) etc., are used. The interventional radiologist, with the help of the imaging equipment, directs the medications to the problematic sites, which then act and destroy unhealthy growths. This is done through a minimal invasion and is carried out under local anesthesia.
List of Interventional Radiology Procedures
An interventional radiology procedure is a diagnostic tool that also treats abnormalities in the body. Fertility problems, cancer treatments and other medical conditions can be treated with the help of this technology. Here are some of the common procedures that are used as a diagnostic tool as well as for treating certain diseases.
Angiography
In this procedure, the abnormalities present in any of the blood vessels, using contrast dyes, can be viewed with the help of images. Conditions like blockages, damaged blood vessels etc., can be seen clearly with the help of coronary angiography procedure and the onset of a stroke, heart attack etc., can be prevented. The source of the problem and the extent of damage is revealed with the help of coronary angiography.
Balloon Angioplasty (or Stent)
The coronary artery may suffer blockage due to the accumulation of plaque, calcium deposits and fat molecules in the inner lining of these blood vessels. Due to arterial blockage, the blood vessels may become narrow and hamper blood circulation. In order to restore the normal size of the arteries and open them again a balloon and a stent are used to expand the blood vessels.
Biliary Intervention
This is a minimally invasive procedure which is used to treat blockages in the bile ducts of the liver. A contrast dye is introduced in the bile ducts, which produces exact images of the ducts and reveal the presence of any blockage or disorder. A catheter is then inserted into the body which drains excess bile, removes gallbladder stones and also to widen the bile ducts. Stents may also be placed in order to keep the bile ducts open and help the fluids drain properly.
Biopsy
When an individual is said to undergo biopsy, it means that a tissue sample from the affected region is removed with the help of a syringe and sent to a lab for closer examination. There are three variants of this procedure – percutaneous, open and closed. The tissue samples are mainly taken when there is an abnormal growth in the body and to check it is benign or malignant.
Dialysis
A dialysis is required when the kidneys fail to perform their function of removing waste from the body. This procedure is also referred to as renal dialysis and is employed to rid the body of toxins, excess salt, water and other wastes. Dialysis is of two main types – hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is carried out with a help of machine attached to the body. On the other hand, in peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneum or the inner lining of the stomach is used for the filtration of blood.
Vertebroplasty
This is an outpatient procedure which is used to treat the fractures in the spinal cord. With the help of a syringe, bone cement is injected in places where the spine might have suffered fractures. This cement then becomes hard and helps support the spine by stabilizing the fractured segments. This procedure is helpful for patients with osteoporosis, where the vertebrae (or back bones) may have developed cracks or break due to fragility.
Other interventional radiology procedures include:
- Brain Aneurysm Embolization
- Chemoembolization
- Chest Tube Placement (Thoracostomy)
- Cholecystostomy
- Cryoablation
- Drain Insertions
- Embolization
- Endovenous Laser Treatment
- Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement and Removal
- Intracranial Vascular Treatments
- IVC Filters
- Line Insertion
- Lumbar Puncture
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) Guided Breast Biopsy
- Nephrostomy Placement
- Ovarian Vein Embolization
- Percutaneous Abscess Drainage
- Peritoneal Ports
- Phlebectomy of Varicose Veins
- Radioembolization
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy (RIG)
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- Thrombolysis
- Transjugular Intrahepatic Porto-systemic Shunt (TIPS)
- Ureteral Stenting and Nephrostomy
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization
- Vascular Access Procedures
These were some of the procedures for interventional radiology that doctors implement in order to treat a number of health disorders without penetrating the body cavity. An advantage of these procedures over traditional surgery is that the surgical wounds heal faster and the problem is addressed quickly.
