Interventional Radiology
Interventional Radiology is all about the ability of physicians to gain access into a human body with a small cut on the skin and run through the network of arteries of a person to provide localized treatment at the site of the disease condition. It is done with the help of miniature instruments of a few millimeters in size, called as catheters (small tubes), guidewires, stents (metallic mesh tubes) and specialized agents to block vessels under imaging guidance. Physicians who undertake such procedures are basically trained in the field of Radiology and have high level of expertise in understanding and assimilating the information provided as images to them through X-Rays, Ultrasounds, CT Scans, MRI and other medical images. They belong to the medical fraternity known as Interventional Radiologists.
The field of medicine and disease state management has been ever dynamic and vibrant with changes and developments happening at a fast pace. Since the late 1970s, it has been the Interventional Radiologists who have pioneered innovations such as Angioplasty and Catheter delivered Stenting, which has contributed magnanimously towards better patient care that is evident and widely practiced today. The most significant medical development of modern times has been the development of Minimally Invasive Procedures which has revolutionized medical treatment options. Today many disease conditions which used to require surgery are being treated non surgically by Interventional Radiologists using latest minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures.
From the perspective of a patient and their relatives, the minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures are nothing less than a boon. It has significantly lower amount of risk, less pain (as large incision are not required), shorter recovery phase and minimal hospital stays compared to conventional surgical procedures. Most of the procedures do not require having a general anaesthesia.