Revolutionizing Patient Care with Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical specialty that performs image-guided minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat certain conditions. Compared to open surgery, they offer less risk, less pain, and quicker recovery time. With evolving technological advances, revolutionizing patient care with interventional radiology continues to minimize risks and improve patient outcomes.
Experts in Medical Imaging, and More.
Aside from being experts at interpreting medical imaging, interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians with fellowship training in IR procedures. Interventional radiologists use diagnostic images from x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or other imaging types. The images help them navigate small instruments inside the body to treat various conditions.
The results are often the same or better in comparison to more traditional surgical methods and have other benefits, including:
- Patient-friendly technology
- Outpatient or brief hospital stays
- Tiny incisions minimize scarring
- Less pain and blood loss
- Faster recovery time
- Often less expensive than traditional surgery
Interventional Radiology Procedures
An interventional radiologist works with your provider to treat many of today’s most challenging medical problems, such as cancer, vascular diseases, and men’s and women’s health issues. For example, an interventional radiologist can treat the source of pain or disease by directing a thin wire and a catheter, the size of a strand of spaghetti, through a blood vessel. It may sound unbelievable, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of the most innovative and effective treatments in medicine occurring today.
Interventional radiology treatments often have less risk, less pain, shorter recovery times, and better outcomes than traditional (open) surgery. Below are some examples of conditions commonly treated with IR.
- Cancer
- Lung
- Liver
- Kidney
- Bone
- Vascular Diseases
- Aneurysm
- Atherosclerosis
- Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
- Varicose veins
- Men’s Health
- Enlarged prostate
- Fertility issues
- Women’s Health
- Uterine fibroids
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Infertility
The Future of Interventional Radiology
New procedural techniques that include the use of AI, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and light-sensing technology mean the future of interventional radiology is bright. Since the discovery of the x-ray in 1895, radiology has paved the way for minimally invasive imaging. It is one of the most technologically advanced fields in medicine.
Visit our interventional radiology page at www.radiologyofindiana.com today! You can learn more about the procedures we specialize in, potential benefits, and other frequently asked questions.
Sources:
https://www.sirweb.org/patient-center/
https://www.asrt.org/main/career-center/careers-in-radiologic-technology
