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What is Interventional Radiology?
Interventional Radiology is a specialty of radiology in which radiologists diagnose and/or treat diseases without surgery, by guiding tiny tubes through your body's arteries and organs. This allows the radiologists to place medications directly at the organ site, open blocked blood vessels, drain an obstructed kidney, obtain biopsies, and perform many other procedures - using x-rays and other radiologic equipment to guide them.
Interventional radiologists specialize in the use of fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound to guide passage through the skin by needle puncture, including introduction of wires and catheters for performing procedures such as biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels.
What is a Vascular Interventional Radiologist?
A vascular interventional radiologist is a physician who performs minimally invasive procedures for a wide variety of diseases.
What is the difference between interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology?
Interventional radiology seeks to make changes in the body by using electromagnetic or particulate radiation to treat disease. Diagnostic radiology seeks to see how the body is functioning to discover if something is wrong.
How long will the test take?
This entirely depends on the exam to be performed. Preparation time takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Recovery time is can last from 1 hour after sedation to 6 hours after arteriograms. Some patients require overnight admission.
Will the interventional procedures hurt?
The pain that can occur with vascular interventional procedures is controlled with the use of conscious sedation, (medication given to a patient who remains awake).
Will I be put to sleep?
One advantage of the minimally-invasive approach used by interventional radiologists is the fact that most procedures can be done without requiring overnight admission into the hospital. Most procedures are performed with local numbing medicine at the skin site where the catheter or needle enters. Often, sedation medicine is given through the IV to make patients more comfortable and relaxed, but not asleep.
How long will I be in the hospital?
Most procedures do not require longer admissions than 23 hour observation admissions. Some exceptions apply depending on the general health status of the patient.
Should I take my daily medications?
The morning medications should be taken with a little water.
How and when will I receive my results?
You will need to contact your referring physician for your results. Critical results will be called to the referring physician immediately. Results that are not critical will be available in your physician's office within 24 hours.
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