Interventional Radiology is a medical specialty that includes non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures that enable diagnosis and treatment using imaging technologies offered by modern medicine. Procedures performed in this area are usually performed through incisions as small as a pinhole, meaning less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery for patients.

In Which Fields Is Interventional Radiology Used?

Interventional radiology plays an effective role in both the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases:

Diagnostic Procedures:

• Biopsies (liver, kidney, breast, lymph node, etc.)
• Drainage procedures (draining infected fluid or abscesses)
• Angiography (visualization of vessels)

Therapeutic Procedures:

• Varicose vein treatment (sclerotherapy or bonding methods)
• Tumor treatments (radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation)
• Intravenous chemotherapy applications to liver tumors (TACE)
• Removing vascular occlusions and placing stents
• Kidney and bile duct drainage
• Uterine myoma embolization
• Treatment of prostate enlargement (prostate artery embolization)
• Port catheter placement (for chemotherapy)

What are the advantages?

• It can be done without the need for general anesthesia.
• Hospital stay is short.
• It carries less risk of complications than surgery.
• Leaves less cosmetic scars.
• Allows a faster return to daily life.

Display Methods Used

Interventional radiologists use the following technologies to guide procedures safely:

• Ultrasonography (USG)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Angiography devices
• Fluoroscopy (live x-ray image)

How to Perform Transactions

• The target area is determined by imaging.
• Local anesthesia is applied.
• The procedure is performed with special needles, catheters and wires.
• If necessary, stents, drains or treatment agents are applied.
• Follow-up and discharge are planned after the procedure.

Which branches does it cooperate with?

Interventional radiology works integrated with many medical branches:

• Oncology
• Nephrology
• Urology
• Gynecological diseases
• Cardiovascular surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious diseases

When Should Interventional Radiology Be Preferred?

• When diagnosis and treatment is sought without the need for open surgery
• When local destruction of cancerous masses is desired
• When fluid accumulation or drainage needs occur in the body
• When vascular occlusions or bleeding are encountered
• When organ biopsies are needed
• In cases where minimal risk and rapid recovery are desired