Interventional Radiology

Interventional Radiology

 

Interventional radiology is in a rapid development in the area of medical imaging promoting minimally invasive treatments. Unlike conventional surgeries, Interventional radiology does not need enormous surgical equipments and it does not have to be performed in a surgical room. More importantly, equipments used in Interventional Radiology are very small and therefore, the wound and pain brought to patients are very minor hence sooner recovery. Furthermore, the surgical charges are relatively low compared to conventional surgeries.

 

Interventional radiology is performed by a dedicated team of professionals with the assistant of advanced medical imaging technology. Interventional radiology is nowadays widely used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

 

Diagnostic interventional radiology:

• Core biopsies of masses
• Fine needle aspiration of masses

 

Therapeutic interventional radiology:

• Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD)
• Dilation of ureteric and biliary strictures
• Removal of renal stones
• Drainage of ascites, abscess, pleural effusion or other body fluid

 

Vascular interventional radiology:

• Arteriography
• Embolization of human internal bleeding sites
• Stenting of blood vessel stenosis

 

Reminder:

• Evaluation of blood clotting status and risk of procedural bleeding prior to the examination
• Fast for 4 hours prior to the examination
• Any history of allergy especially previous contrast medium allergy must be checked for any IV contrast interventional procedures.
• Consent form of procedure to be signed after doctor’s explanation
• Please inform our doctors/radiographers if there is a chance you may be pregnant
  
  

Analgesia:

• During the procedure local anesthesia is given to the puncture site by doctor
• If necessary analgesia may be given by doctor before, during or after procedure
• General anesthesia may be necessary for some patients (e.g. children)

 

Procedure:

• Puncture of blood vessels
• Introducing guide wire
• Placing catheter or stent
• (Or) Deposit of catheter connected to a sealed bag to drain body fluid

 

After care:

• Most patients are admitted for short period of time for observation after intervention procedure
• Follow up care of wound and catheter

 

Remarks:

Interventional Radiology is generally considered as safe procedures. However it may introduce some complications in rare occasion:

• Infection of the wound
• Post procedural bleeding of the wound
• Pneumothorax after needle puncture of the lungs