Interventional Radiology
What is Interventional Radiology?
A range of imaging techniques that are used to guide needles to either obtain tissue from lesions or to provide targeted treatment in such conditions as:
- arthritis,
- trauma or
- sports injuries
Interventional radiologists perform image-guided procedures and minimally invasive pain management therapies for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. These approaches can provide an alternative to surgery.
Interventional radiology techniques are also used guide biopsy needles to obtain samples of tissue in otherwise difficult to access places in the body by conventional surgery.
Why Consider Interventional Radiology?
Our radiologists collaborate closely with many different specialists to provide expert diagnostic imaging and procedures.
Using imaging technologies and advanced techniques, interventional radiologists are able to sample often subtle lesions involving bones, muscles, joints, tendons, nerves, and other connective tissue.
Types of Interventional Radiology?
Interventional radiology is often the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases or conditions.
Using image guidance, musculoskeletal radiologists can perform joint injections, cyst aspirations, soft tissue biopsies, and other non-invasive procedures, including:
- Joint-Injections / Aspirations, Including Facet Joint Injections (Steroid, Platelet-rich plasma)
- Morton's neuroma injection
- Cyst aspiration & Percutaneous Synovial Cyst Rupture
- Piriformis syndrome injection
- Thoracic and Lumbar Nerve Root Blocks
- Soft Tissue Mass Biopsies
- Bone Biopsy
- Bone Marrow Aspiration
- Baker's and Ganglion Cyst Aspiration
- Bursa Injections
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Guided Lumbar Puncture
- Lumbar Epidural Blood Patch
- Osteoid Osteoma Ablation
How is Interventional Radiology Performed?
Musculoskeletal radiologists use:
- CT
- Ultrasound and
- Fluoroscopic imaging guidance,
to diagnose, assess and treat issues with the musculoskeletal system in the most detail possible.
There is an initial consultation prior to the procedure during which the details of the procedure are discussed and consent is obtained.
The patient is then appropriately positioned on the imaging table and initial imaging acquired to locate the lesion or location of interest. The best skin entry location is found and marked. The patient is prepped and draped and local anaesthetic used to numb the skin.
A needle is then placed with its tip in the area of interest using imaging to guide the needle. The main part of the procedure is then performed and the needle removed.
There may be a requirement for the patient to stay for several hours after the procedure, depending on the location (such as the lung) that has been accessed.
Benefits of Interventional Radiology
Generally, these procedures offer:
- less pain,
- Shorter recovery time and
- Lower risks.
Risks of Interventional Radiology
Our interventional radiologists are committed to choosing low dose imaging techniques whenever possible to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.
The radiologist will choose the best form of imaging to perform an interventional procedure, depending on the type of procedure and where in the body the procedure is being performed.
