Interventional radiology procedures are advances in medicine that replace open surgical procedures. They include clinical and imaging based diagnosis and minimally invasive therapies that are generally easier on the patient because they involve no large incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times.
Small wonder Interventional Radiology has become one of the fastest growing areas of medicine. In fact:
- Most IR procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis
or require only a short hospital stay. - General anesthesia usually is not required.
- Risk, pain and recovery time are often significantly reduced.
- The procedures are often less expensive than surgery
or other alternatives.
What Is Interventional Radiology?
Interventional radiologists use their expertise in reading X-rays, ultrasound and other medical images to guide small instruments such as catheters (tubes that measure just a few millimeters in diameter) through the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease percutaneously (through the skin). These procedures are typically much less invasive and much less costly than traditional surgery.
Who are interventional radiologists?
Interventional radiologists are medical doctors who have specialized in doing medical procedures that involve radiology. Radiologists use imaging equipment such as X-rays, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) to diagnose disease. Interventional radiologists are board certified radiologists that are fellowship trained in percutaneous interventions using guided imaging. Their specialized training is certified by the America Board of Medical Specialties.
Can Interventional Radiology Help You?
Here are a few of the ways that Interventional Radiologists are using advanced, minimally invasive therapies to help people recover faster, and without open surgery:
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
At one time treating uterine fibroid tumors meant a hysterectomy, now for many women, there's another option. Interventional Radiologists now offer a simple, minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that can shrink fibroids down to nothing. And all you give, is afternoon.
Varicose Veins
Through very simple procedure called, Vein Ablation, a small catheter is inserted into the vein. A laser in the catheter cauterizes the vein closed. Other, bigger veins within the body naturally take over the duties of supplying blood to the leg. The varicose vein shrinks and disappears from view.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a common circulation problem in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed or clogged. Minimally invasive treatments include: Angioplasty, which uses a tiny balloon to open the blood vessel. Stents, which act as scaffolding to hold the blood vessel open. Thrombolytic therapy or clotbusting drugs, and Stent-Graphs which are used to bypass diseased arteries completely.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot, or bursts, causing the brain to starve. A leading cause of stroke is carotid artery disease (CAD, plaque build up in the carotid arteries. In patients at high risk of having a stroke, the narrowed section of artery may be re-opened through angioplasty and reinforced with a stent, thereby preventing the stroke from occurring. If a stroke occurs and is due to a blood clot, a clot-busting drug can be given intravenously to break up or reduce the size of blood clots to the brain. This technique must be performed within three hours from the onset of symptoms.
For more information about Interventional Radiology at St. Joseph's Hospital, please call us at (813) 870-4601.
