Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology is a specialty that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat conditions without the need for surgery. Many interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and involve the use of a needle, catheter tubes or both. Radiologists who perform these procedures are known as interventional radiologists. To become an interventional radiologist, you must go through specialized training and receive a board certification that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. These radiologists are fellowship trained in percutaneous interventions using targeted imaging.
Interventional Radiology Benefits
Interventional radiology advantages include:
- Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, or require only a short hospital stay
- General anesthesia is usually not required
- Risk, pain and recovery time are less than traditional surgery
Some examples of interventional radiology procedures:
- Angioplasty and vascular stenting
- Carotid artery stenting
- Catheter angiography and embolization
- Chemoembolization
- Computer tomography (CT) angiography
- Cryotherapy
- Endovenous ablation of varicose veins
- Endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet and selective nerve root blocks
- Kyphoplasty
- Magnetic resonance (MR) - angiography and guided breast biopsy
- Needle biopsy of lung (chest) nodules
- Radiofrequency ablation of live and lung tumors
- Stroke thrombolysis
- Thrombolysis
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
- Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
- Uterine fibroid embolization
- Vascular access procedures
- X-ray-guided breast biopsy
Schedule An Interventional Radiology Procedure
BayCare offers a team of board-certified, fellowship trained in percutaneous interventions using guiding imaging. If you're interested in scheduling an interventional radiology procedure, please call (855) 269-4333 to speak to our knowledgeable support staff.