Radiology - Interventional Radiology

General introduction

Interventional radiologists are doctors who specialise in performing image-guided minimally invasive surgery. Many of these procedures can replace traditional surgical operations. This can result in reduced complications  and shorter stays in hospital. 

Interventional radiological techniques are used in most parts of the body. Some of the procedures performed include:

Femoral angiograms – dye is injected into the main artery of the body (aorta) via catheters. As the dye flows down the arteries in the legs X-rays are taken to show any abnormalities.

Angioplasty – This is a way of relieving a blockage in an artery without having an operation. A fine plastic tube called a catheter is inserted through the blockage in the artery and a special balloon is then inflated, this opens up the blockage to allow more blood to flow down the artery.

Stents – Metal or plastic stents can be inserted into arteries or veins to keep them open. This can relieve blockages in the vessel. Stents can also be positioned in blockages within the gut. This aids the digestion of food. This procedure is done under sedation and avoids surgery along with any associated risks.

Embolisation – A small bleeding artery can be embolised (blocked or sealed). Fluid, containing thousands of tiny particles, is injected through a catheter into the small arteries. This silts up small blood vessels and blocks them.

Percutaneous nephrostomy – urine from a normal kidney drains through a narrow tube called a ureter into the bladder. If this tube becomes blocked for example, by a stone, the kidney cannot drain and can become infected. It is possible to relieve the blockage by inserting a catheter through the skin into the kidney allowing urine to drain from the kidney into a collecting bag outside the body. Patients may no longer require surgery.