Interventional Radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of medicine that performs a variety of minimally invasive procedures using medical imaging guidance such as X-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound.
Through IR, both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be performed via very small incisions or natural body openings. Diagnostic IR procedures aim to assist in making a diagnosis or guide further medical treatment. For example, performing a biopsy of a tumor under image guidance or using imaging by injecting a contrast agent into a hollow structure such as a blood vessel or duct. Therapeutic IR procedures provide direct treatment. Examples of such applications include catheter-based drug delivery, medical device placement (e.g., stents), and angioplasty of narrowed structures.
The main benefit of interventional radiology techniques is the ability to access deep structures in the body through a natural opening or a small incision using small needles and wires. This reduces risks and pain compared to open surgeries and shortens the recovery time. Real-time imaging obtained during IR also provides precise guidance, enabling more accurate diagnosis or treatment of the condition.
