What is Interventional Radiology?

Interventional Radiology is a branch of medicine in which physicians treat diseases non-operatively through small catheters guided to the target by radiologic imaging. Many of these procedures have replaced traditional surgery since they are safer and more cost effective.

Examples of Interventional Procedures are:

Angioplasty, the opening of blocked blood vessels without surgery, and nephrostomy, the drainage of an obstructed kidney. These interventional procedures and other ones, such as needle biopsy and biliary drainage, are described in other Q & A pages.

What is an Interventional Radiologist?

An Interventional Radiologist is a doctor who has had special training in imaging (radiology) and who specializes in treating diseases non-operatively (interventional procedure). An Interventional Radiologist has also had training in the safe use of X-rays.

How can an Interventional Radiologist help me?

An Interventional Radiologist performs procedures to treat problems in the arteries, the kidneys, the liver and other internal organs that might other wise be treated by surgery.