Interventional radiology is a rapidly advancing branch of medicine. It is the Radiology department that performs surgeries without actual surgery, especially for vascular and tumor diseases, with the help of imaging methods such as angiography and ultrasound.
Interventional Radiology does not deal with a single topic or organ system like dermatology or cardiology. It performs treatments for many organ systems that were previously done surgically, now in a non-surgical way.
The main feature of interventional radiology treatments is that there is no need for surgery or general anesthesia. Procedures are always done through a small needle puncture. After the procedures, there is no scar left on the body. Therefore, they are also called minimal surgical procedures. Since imaging methods are always used when entering inside the body, it is possible to see and treat the inside without cutting the skin or harming the path to the target organ.
In the majority of procedures, the patient is discharged home on the same day or after at most one day of hospitalization.
High-tech devices are mostly used in therapeutic procedures for patients.
What are the advantages of receiving treatment from interventional radiology specialists?
To become an interventional radiology specialist, you must first become a radiology specialist, i.e., hold a diploma in diagnostics, and then gain at least 5 years of experience in interventional work both during and after residency. Radiologists are the sole experts in imaging, whether it is vascular or ultrasound, CT, MRI, and they have extensive knowledge and the ability to use these devices in detail.
Successful interventional procedures are possible by correctly and quickly identifying which vessel or organ is diseased and which is normal, and by using these devices at the highest level.
Interventional Radiological Procedures
Angiography: Examination of an artery or vein with X-rays. Following access to the vessel, the vessels are visualized by administering a contrast agent.
Balloon angioplasty and stent: Opening blocked or narrowed vessels by advancing a balloon catheter or stent into the vessel.
Embolization: Blocking a bleeding vessel, an aneurysm, or a tumor through the vascular route.
Chemoembolization: Direct administration of medication to cancer cells via the vascular route.
Dialysis interventions: Opening fistula stenosis and occlusions, placing permanent catheters.
Diabetes patients: Opening blood vessels via angio for wounds that do not heal.
Radiofrequency / Microwave ablation: Use of radiofrequency energy to kill cancer cells.
Thrombolysis: Opening a blocked vessel by administering clot-dissolving medication.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: A procedure performed to reduce portal hypertension and its harmful effects in severe liver failure.