Interventional radiology, previously known as “angiography” or “special procedures,” originated from diagnostic radiology over 50 years ago. The first documented interventional procedure was a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the femoral artery performed by Dr. Charles Dotter in 1964. In 1963, Dotter recognized the potential of catheters to be used in performing intravascular surgery.
According to a recent survey, the interventional radiology market is expected to reach USD 26.96 billion in 2024 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.90% to reach USD 35.92 billion by 2029. Looking forward, the future of interventional radiology services in USA is bright as new technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery and 3D printing, become more readily available.
Understanding Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical sub-specialty that uses imaging-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. IR procedures are less risky, less painful, and have a shorter recovery time than open surgery. Interventional radiology specialists are physicians with an additional six or seven years of specialized training after medical school.
Procedures in Interventional Radiology:
- Image-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology and Biopsy: This procedure involves using a fine needle to extract cells or tissue samples for analysis.
- Tru-Cut (Core) Biopsy: A more substantial tissue sample is obtained with a Tru-Cut biopsy, which utilizes a specialized needle to secure a core tissue sample for analysis.
- Needle Aspiration/Drainage: This technique involves using a needle to drain fluid collections, such as abscesses or cysts, under imaging guidance.
- Percutaneous Catheter Drainage: A catheter is inserted through the skin to drain fluid collections or abscesses, guided by imaging techniques.
How Does Interventional Radiology Work?
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Interventional radiology (IR) involves performing minimally invasive procedures using various imaging techniques such as x-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound.
Treatment Guidance
The procedures are guided by medical imaging to diagnose and treat conditions without the need for major surgery,
Tools Insertion
Interventional radiologists use small tools like catheters or wires that are inserted into the body to reach the target area.
Imaging Techniques
X-ray, CT scans, and ultrasound help guide the radiologist during the procedure, allowing for precise placement of tools.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
IR encompasses both diagnostic procedures to help make a diagnosis and therapeutic procedures to provide treatment.
Variety of Conditions
IR is used for a wide range of conditions, offering less risk, less pain, and quicker recovery times compared to open surgery.
IR procedures can diagnose, treat, and cure many conditions, including:
- Cancer: IR plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating various types of cancer, offering minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgery.
- Blood vessel diseases: Interventional radiology can effectively manage blood vessel diseases, such as peripheral vascular diseases, through minimally invasive techniques like endovascular treatments.
- Liver and kidney diseases: IR procedures can target liver and kidney diseases by delivering treatments directly to the affected areas, such as embolization for liver tumors.
- Uterine fibroids: IR techniques like uterine artery embolization can be used to treat uterine fibroids, providing relief from symptoms without major surgery.
- Blocked blood vessels: Endovascular interventions in IR offer a lower-risk alternative to open surgery for clearing blocked blood vessels, improving blood flow to vital organs.
- Pain management: IR procedures can help manage chronic pain conditions by targeting specific nerves or areas causing discomfort, offering relief to patients.
- Varicose veins: Interventional radiology can treat varicose veins through minimally invasive procedures like endovenous laser therapy, improving symptoms and appearance.
- Stroke: IR techniques like thrombectomy can be used to remove blood clots causing strokes, restoring blood flow to the brain and minimizing potential damage.
- Infertility: IR can help address fertility issues by performing procedures like fallopian tube recanalization to improve chances of conception.
- Biopsies: Interventional radiologists can perform image-guided biopsies to obtain tissue samples for diagnosing various conditions accurately and guiding further treatment.
Types of Interventional Radiology
Here, we have categorized the different types of interventional radiology:
Diagnostic Interventional Radiology:
- Angiography
- Cholangiography
- Biopsy
Therapeutic Interventional Radiology:
- Vascular Balloon Angioplasty/Stent
- Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
- Embolization
- Thrombolysis
- IVC Filters
- Dialysis-related Interventions
- TIPS
- Endovenous Laser Treatment of Varicose Veins
- Biliary Intervention
- Catheter Placement
Genitourinary Interventional Radiology:
- Percutaneous Nephrostomy or Nephroureteral Stent Placement
- Ureteral Stent Exchange
Gastrointestinal Interventional Radiology:
- GI Bleed Management
- TIPS for Portal Hypertension
- Cholangiography for Jaundice
- PTC for Bile Flow Restoration
- Seldinger Technique for Pain Management
Musculoskeletal Interventional Radiology:
- Facet Joint Block
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
- Epidural Space Injection
- Sacroplasty for Insufficiency Fractures
Oncologic Interventional Radiology:
- Image-Guided Ablation
- Transarterial Embolization
- Selective Internal Radiation Therapy
- Microwave Thermal Ablation
Neurological Interventional Radiology:
- Endovascular Stroke Therapy
- Endovascular Aneurysm Treatment
- Endovascular AVM Treatment
- Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
Vascular Interventional Radiology:
- Balloon Angioplasty
- Stents and Stent-Grafts
- Embolization
- Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy
- Atherosclerosis Management
- Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment
- Critical Limb Ischemia Management
Outsourcing Interventional Radiology Services With Statim-Healthcare
Outsourcing can improve on-call productivity, but some worry about its effect on patient care. If you are looking for reliable radiology imaging solutions for your hospital, diagnostics center, or clinic, Statim-Healthcare can fulfill all your medical requirements with its professional team, and custom-built PACS outsourced radiology services. With Statim-Healthcare, you get cost-effective, top-notch imaging services from licensed radiologists.
We are US FDA approved; well equipped Radiology Information System (RIS) in the USA ensuring quality control and data security processes.
The services we provide are supported by:
- A web-based PACS and medical display monitors
- VPN connectivity for data security
- Internet redundancy from multiple tiers 1 ISPs
- Power redundancy via UPS and generator
- Secure IT infrastructure for confidentiality
- Rapidly-scalable model
Get in Touch
Revolutionize your healthcare center with our precise, efficient, and transformative outsourced radiology services with Statim Healthcare. Contact us today for top-tier remote health solutions with state-of-the-art technology.