Introduction
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of radiology that uses advanced imaging modalities—ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT, and MRI—to perform minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
The specialty has rapidly evolved from a niche field into a core component of modern medicine, bridging diagnosis and treatment while minimizing patient morbidity.
Core Principles of Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology combines three essential pillars:
- Imaging Guidance – Real-time visualization using ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT, or MRI.
- Targeted Therapy – Direct delivery of treatment to the site of pathology.
- Minimally Invasive Access – Small percutaneous entry points reduce trauma, infection risk, and recovery time.
Common Interventional Radiology Procedures
1. Vascular Interventions
- Angioplasty & Stenting – Recanalization of stenosed arteries (e.g., peripheral artery disease).
- Embolization – For GI bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, trauma, and tumor control.
- Endovenous Ablation – For varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.
2. Oncologic Interventions
- Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) – For hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) & Microwave Ablation (MWA) – Local tumor control.
- Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) – Targeted intra-arterial radionuclide therapy.
3. Non-Vascular Interventions
- Biliary Drainage & Stenting – For obstructive jaundice.
- Nephrostomy & Ureteric Stenting – For urinary tract obstruction.
- Percutaneous Abscess Drainage – Guided by USG/CT.
- Biopsies – Image-guided core needle biopsies for histopathology.
Advantages Over Conventional Surgery
| Parameter | Interventional Radiology | Open Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Incision size | 2–5 mm | Several cm |
| Hospital stay | 0–3 days | 5–14 days |
| Recovery time | Days | Weeks |
| Infection risk | Low | Higher |
| Repeatability | High | Variable |
Imaging Modalities Used
- Ultrasound – Real-time guidance for superficial and abdominal interventions.
- Fluoroscopy – Dynamic vascular imaging for angiography and stenting.
- CT – Precise localization for biopsies and drainage.
- MRI – Soft-tissue contrast for complex oncologic planning.
Future Trends in Interventional Radiology
- Artificial Intelligence for procedure planning and navigation.
- Robotics to improve precision in endovascular procedures.
- 3D Printing for patient-specific anatomical models.
- Theranostics – Combining imaging with targeted therapy in a single session.
Key Takeaways
- Interventional radiology is a patient-centric, minimally invasive specialty with expanding roles in oncology, vascular, and non-vascular domains.
- Its multimodality approach allows for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy with faster recovery and lower complication rates.
- Continuous technological innovation is reshaping IR into a cornerstone of precision medicine.
