The objective of interventional radiology is to diagnose or treat pathologies with a minimally invasive technique. Imaging is used to direct radiological procedures, which are usually performed with needles, guidewires, and narrow tubes called catheters. Some of these procedures are performed for purely diagnostic purposes (eg angiogram), while others are performed as part of specific treatments (eg angioplasty).

 

The images provide a guide that allows the radiologist to guide these instruments through the body to the areas to be treated. Minimizing physical trauma to the patient reduces infection rates, reduces recovery time, and shortens postoperative hospital stay.

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The Interventional Radiologist, using various imaging techniques (for example X-Rays, Ultrasounds, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, Ultrasound), can treat a wide range of diseases by guiding small instruments, such as catheters and the like, through the blood vessels of the patient, only making tiny incisions in the skin. It thus offers an alternative to surgical treatment of many conditions and advantages such as:

The risks, pain and recovery time are usually very low compared to other procedures.

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Most treatments are outpatient or only require a very short hospital stay. General anesthesia is not normally required.

The procedures, for all the listed advantages, can be cheaper than conventional surgery or other procedures.