Interventional radiology is a branch of radiology that uses radioactive materials not only to create images of organs to diagnose their condition, but also to treat a variety of affections, most typically to treat blood clots, other cardiovascular conditions, various tumors, malignant and benign as well, and other affections through embolization or ablation. The modern treatment approach comes with numerous benefits over more conservative options – here are some:
- Minimally invasive procedures – in most cases, the procedure involves the introduction of a very thin catheter into the treatment area through a small incision, without requiring a large cut. The catheter is then used to perform the embolization or the ablation of the affection with microscopic, radioactively charged particles;
- Quick recovery – in most cases, the patient can leave the hospital a few hours after the intervention. These modern interventions also come with a reduced risk of complications and the pain related to the recovery process is also significantly reduced compared to more traditional interventional radiologist treatment options;
- Quick procedures – the procedures not only ensure quick recovery; they are quick to perform as well. In most cases, these interventions do not take longer than an hour or an hour and a half.
