Interventional radiology

Interventional radiology is the use of imaging guidance for the performance of minimally invasive therapy. Interventional radiology procedures often replace open surgical procedures. In general, they avoid large incisions, involve less risk and pain, and shorter recovery times. The development of new imaging technologies and interventional devices has greatly increased the spectrum of diseases that can be treated by interventional radiology. Conditions that can be treated by interventional radiology include collapsed vertebral bodies (vertebroplasty), strictures (oesophageal, duodenal and colonic), embolizations for fibroids, trauma and varicoceles and many endovascular stent procedures (carotids, thoracic and abdominal aorta). Most procedures can be performed using local anaesthesia with or without sedoanalgesia.