Interventional radiology (abbreviated IR or sometimes IVR or VIR) is a subspecialty of radiology that performs minimally invasive procedures using image guidance. Certain procedures are done for purely diagnostic purposes like for e.g., angiogram, while others are done for treatment like- angioplasty. Images are used to direct these procedures, which are usually done with needles or tiny instruments like small tubes called catheters. The images provide road maps that allow the Interventional Radiologist to guide these instruments through the body to the areas of interest.

Interventional Imaging methods

Common interventional imaging methods include X-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both these methods are fast and geometrically accurate. Ultrasound suffers from image quality and tissue contrast problems, but is also fast and inexpensive. Magnetic resonance imaging provides superior tissue contrast, at the cost of being expensive and requiring specialized instruments that will not interact with the magnetic fields present in the imaging volume.

Interventional Radiology Procedures

Common IR procedures are:

• Angiography :

• Catheter angiography

• CT angiography (CTA)

• Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting

• Chemoembolization

• Drain insertions

• Embolization :

• Catheter Embolization

• Detachable Coil Embolization

• Uterine Fibroid Embolization

• Thrombolysis

• Biopsy :

• Magnetic Resonance (MR)-Guided Breast Biopsy

• Needle Biopsy of Lung (Chest) Nodules

• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

• Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy

• Radiofrequency Ablation :

• Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins

• Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors

• Radio Frequency Ablation of Lung Tumors

• Cryotherapy

• Venous access

• IVC filters

• Vertebroplasty

• Nephrostomy/NUS placement

• Gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy tube placement

• Dialysis access/intervention

• Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)

• Biliary interventions

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