Interventional radiology

Interventional Radiology in a nutshell

What is it?

A interventional radiology is a medical specialty that involves performing a series of imaging procedures to obtain images of the inside of the body. The interventional radiologist carefully interprets these images in order to diagnose injuries and illnessesand perform a whole range of interventional medical procedures.

Interventional radiologists use imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), fluoroscopy (a radiographic procedure that allows internal organs to be seen in motion), CT scans and ultrasound.

A wide range of pathologies that can be treated

Interventional radiologists perform a wide range of procedures such as treatment of tumors, organ biopsies or the stenting by inserting tiny instruments and thin plastic tubes (catheters) into the body via an artery or vein. Images are used to guide the catheters and instruments to the exact area where the procedure or treatment is to be performed. This reduces the need for traditional (open) or keyhole (laparoscopic) surgerybecause the treatment can be administered through a small plastic tube the size of a straw.

Thanks to constant advances in technology, the range of pathologies that can be treated by interventional radiology is constantly expanding.

Interventional radiology and its applications

Knee infiltration

Knee infiltration is an important part of general medicine, rheumatology and sports medicine. It is used not only to confirm certain diagnoses, but also to treat certain common ailments. In general, it is used to relieve inflammation of tendons or joints.

Wrist infiltration

The wrist, a joint complexis often involved in inflammatory arthritissuch as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Depending on the case, the progress of the pathology and the severity of the pain, the radiologist may decide to proceed with wrist infiltration. Synovitis of the wrist causes pain, swelling and loss of extension. During joint infiltration ulnocarpal styloid, the mixture of lidocaine and corticosteroids must flow without resistance. Air infiltration after corticosteroid injection into the ulnar styloid creates a seal that prevents the corticosteroid from flowing along the needle path into the dermal layer and creating unsightly depigmentation.

Ankle infiltration

Our interventional radiology center exercises different infiltration techniques for painful foot and ankle conditions. The ankle joint is made up of the tibia and talus joints.
Conditions that cause pain and inflammation can be treated with infiltration therapy and infiltration for to refine diagnoses. Among others, theankle injection is used to relieve pain caused by trauma, arthritis, gout or other inflammatory conditions.