The field of medical imaging is rapidly developing to meet the need for modern diagnosis and treatment. Interventional radiography (IR) referred also as Image Guided Surgery is a medical field that uses imaging techniques to guide surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures. Instead of traditional surgery (making a large incision and sometimes under general anaesthesia), interventional radiology allows physicians to treat many conditions with tiny tools like needles, catheters (thin, flexible tubes), and wires, all while observing the process in real-time using imaging technologies such as X-rays, fluoroscopy, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI. Medical radiographers are at the frontline of utilizing these imaging tools to deliver the highest medical care for an efficient treatment process.
Principle of operation
During this procedure, the surgeons use the real-time images acquired from scans to precisely guide their instrument inside the body of interest. For instance, they may insert catheter or J-wires inside the ureter (the tube that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder) or needle into a specific part of the body without the need for a surgical cut. This, therefore, enables physicians treat issues like renal calculus (Kidney stones), tumour, or even directly deliver medications to site of abnormality with ease.
Common Procedures where IR is utilized.
• Angioplasty and stenting: A catheter are used to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels, often placing a small mesh tube (stent) to keep them open.
• Embolization: This technique blocks blood flow to a problem area, like a bleeding blood vessel or a tumour, by delivering tiny particles to the site.
• Biopsies: Using imaging, doctors can guide a needle to a specific area to take a tissue sample for testing, like checking for cancer cells.
• Draining fluids: Interventional radiology can also drain excess fluids from places like the chest or abdomen, which can be done using needles and catheters.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Interventional procedure used to remove renal stones directly via a nephrostomy tract under fluoroscopy real-time images.
Why choose Interventional Radiography
• Minimally invasive: Procedures often require only a small incision, meaning fewer risks including reduced sepsis and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery.
• Reduced pain: Smaller cuts mean less pain and often less need for anaesthesia.
• Quicker recovery: Patients usually go home the same day or the next day, avoiding lengthy hospital stays.
• Cost effective: The cost of the procedure is averagely low compared to traditional way.
Who Can Benefit?
Interventional radiography is widely used for patients with a range of disease conditions including vascular problem, renal, cancer, and those who need pain relief or fluid drainage within the body. It is highly recommended for people who may not be able to undergo traditional surgery due to age or other medical conditions.
Conclusion
Interventional radiography is a powerful tool in modern medicine, allowing doctors to treat a wide variety of conditions with less pain, complications, and quicker recovery times. It combines cutting-edge imaging technology with minimally invasive techniques to improve patient outcomes while reducing the need for traditional surgery.
Written to showcase radiography on WORLD RADIOGRAPHY DAY and enlighten the public on the various roles radiographers and medical imaging plays in the overall patient care within our health system.
By Rad. UGWOKE Emmanuel Arinze