Interventional Radiology
A subspecialty of radiology, interventional radiology (IR) can sometimes replace open surgical procedures. Specially trained interventional radiologists find that the diagnostic and treatment options offered through IR are easier for some patients. The procedures do not involve large incisions, generally reducing risk, pain and recovery time, and they can be less costly than traditional surgery. Because most procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, they typically require only a short hospital stay.
In IR, small instruments or needles are guided through blood vessels or other pathways in a minimally invasive procedure. X-rays, ultrasound and other medical images are used as road maps, allowing interventional radiologists to guide the small instruments to the area(s) of interest.
A number of procedures are well-suited for IR. Some procedures are done for diagnostic purposes, like biopsies. Others, like joint injections, are done for treatment purposes.
For more information on interventional radiology, visit the Society of Interventional Radiology website.
To learn about the interventional radiologists on Northwest Health - Porter’s medical staff, visit the physician directory.
Common interventional radiology procedures include:
- Biopsies
- Lung biopsy
- Kidney biopsy
- Disc biopsy
- Lymph node biopsy
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Dialysis and kidney
- Dialysis catheter placement
- Dialysis fistula maintenance
- Percutaneous nephrostomy
- Ureteral stent placement
- Spine
- Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty
- Epidural steroid block
- Nerve block
- Spine radiofrequency ablation
- Myelogram
- Oncology
- Chemotherapy port placement
- Lung/liver/kidney tumor ablation
- Radio embolization of liver tumors
- Chemo embolization of liver tumors
- PICC line placement
-
Vascular
- Catheter angiograms with angioplasty
- Venogram
- Treatment of clots in veins
- Removal of fluid
- Placement of peritoneal/chest funneled catheters for fluid removal
- Gastrointestinal
- Liver biopsy
- Biliary stents
- G-tube exchange
- Catheter angiogram
- Uterine artery embolization
- Prostate artery embolization