Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical subspecialty that performs various minimally-invasive procedures using medical imaging guidance such as x-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound.

IR procedures provide direct treatment and include catheter-based delivery of medicine, placement of medical devices (e.g. stent), and angioplasty of narrowed structures. The main benefits of interventional radiology techniques are that they can reach the deep structures of the body through the tiny incision using small needles and wires which, overall, decreases the risks, pain, and recovery when compared to open procedures.

Vascular interventions

• Balloon angioplasty/stenting
• Endovascular aneurysm repair
• Embolization : TACE, Uterine artery embolization, prostate artery embolization
• Thrombolysis/Thrombectomy: DVT, Pulmonary embolism, upper and lower limb arterial thrombosis
• IVC filters
• Vascular access : Tunneled hemodialysis catheters, PICC lines, Chemoports
• Laser ablation of varicose veins

Non Vascular

• Percutaneous biopsy : Lung, liver, bone, breast, kidney
• Drainage catheter placement : Abcess, pleural effusion, ascites, cholecystotomy, gastrectomy, nephrostomy
• Biliary drainage, stenting
• Ablation : Osteoid osteoma, liver tumours, renal tumours, lung tumours