Interventional Radiology

Minimum Access – Maximum Result

Interventional Radiology is pin hole surgery performed with the aid of

X rays, CT and ultrasound by specially trained doctors called Interventional Radiologists

8 out of 10 procedures use skin incisions smaller than 5 millimetres

9 out of 10 procedures use only local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation

Up to 8 out of 10 patients go home the same day

And it’s often a less invasive option than traditional surgical procedures

Leg arteries

Blocked arteries

Internal BleedingTargeted cancer treatment

Dialysis

Blocked bile ducts

Aortic aneurysms

Blood vessel malformations

Varicose veins

Blocked kidneys

We treat many conditions.......Here are just a few

Scope of Interventional Radiology

Blood Vessel

Bleeding control Many other treatments

Cancer

Blood Vessels

Treats blood vessels from 2 mm to 30 mm

Narrowed blood vessels are stretched (Angioplasty) to improve blood flow

Blocked blood vessels can be internally reopened in many cases

Treatment of aneurysms (abnormal bulges in vessels).

Unblocking arteriesBlocked arm artery (Arrow)causing pain and arm weakness

Treated by internallyunblocking the artery andplacing a stent

Major surgery avoided. Totaltreatment time of one hour

Aortic Aneurysm

Abnormal bulge (aneurysm) of the main artery in the abdomen

Risk of rupture and major bleeding

Treated by internally relining the artery (Endovascular aneurysm repair-EVAR)

Major surgery avoided. Total treatment time of 90 minutes

Cancer

Treatment

• Thermal destruction of small cancers using image guided needles

• Targeted chemotherapy into blood vessels supplying the tumour

Symptom relief

• Stent insertion into the bowel for relief of obstruction

• Insertion of lines for delivery of chemotherapy and nutrition

Cancer TreatmentSmall cancer lesion in theliver (arrow) in a patient withpreviously treated cancer

Image guided thermaldestruction

Surgery and chemotherapyavoided. Treatment time of60 minutes.

Bleeding Control

Key emergency role for Interventional Radiology

Treatment of bleeding from Trauma, bowel, child birth or following surgery

Blood vessels as small as 2-3mm can be treated

Blood vessels can be blocked (embolisation) or relined with a stent depending on the location and need

Bleeding into BowelSevere bleeding into the large bowel (arrow)

Treated with selectiveBlockage of the bleedingArtery

Emergency surgeryavoided

Other Treatments

Kidneys Liver and Bile ducts

Dialysis Fibroids

Bone

Too many procedures...too little space

For more detailed patient information and further information about Interventional

Radiology please visit

www.bsir.org & www.bsir-qi.org

Interventional Radiology

Minimal access

Local anaesthesia/sedation

Quicker recovery

Less invasive alternative

Prepared on behalf of British Society of Interventional Radiology

by

Dr G Ananthakrishnanand

Dr I Robertson