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Interventional radiology utilises image guidance to treat and cure patients. Interventional radiological techniques are able to replace some surgical procedures, allowing patients to be treated with less risk while minimising hospital stays.
Interventional radiology has been an increasingly important sub-specialty of radiology since the mid-1970s, contributing to some of the most significant medical developments.
Interventional radiologists invented angioplasty and the first catheter-delivered stent, first used in the lower limbs to help prevent the need for major surgical procedures or amputation in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
What is an Interventional Radiologist?
Interventional radiologists are doctors trained in radiology and are medical specialists in interpreting all medical images. Interventional radiology is one of the most dynamic and rapidly advancing specialities in medicine today.
This expertise with imaging techniques enables doctors (interventional radiologists) to guide small catheters (tubes) and guide-wires through blood vessels or other organ pathways to treat many diseases. These small catheters are usually only a few millimetres in diameter.
Over the last 50 years interventional radiology has helped make enormous developments in treating vascular diseases and assisted with major advancements in oncology treatments.
Interventional radiologists are the best kept secret in medicine.
The History of Interventional Radiology
The development of improved imaging techniques has enhanced the radiologist's ability to view detailed vascular anatomy which gave rise to interventional radiology and the introduction of invasive treatments performed under image guidance.
Interventional radiology procedures are a major advance in medicine due to:
- Only requiring a short hospital stay for most procedures
- General anaesthesia not usually being required
- Less risk to the patient compared with conventional surgery
- Less pain post procedure compared with conventional surgery
- Less recovery time compared with conventional surgery
- Does not require large incisions
You will need to ring the hospital's radiology reception to organise an appointment.
Liverpool radiology reception: 8738 3454 or 8738 3455
Fairfield radiology reception: Not available at this site
Bankstown radiology reception: Not available at this site
Campbelltown radiology reception: 46343164 or 46343172
Please refer to the individual instruction provided on your booking. If you cannot attend your appointment please ring and inform us as soon as possible. |
