Interventional Radiology FAQ

Interventional radiology (IR) is one of the biggest advances in medical practice, offering treatments with less risk and less pain than open surgery. Through a tiny incision in your skin, highly trained specialized interventional radiologists can deliver precise, targeted treatment to complex and sometimes life-threatening diseases and conditions.

IR treatments are a well-accepted choice for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, uterine fibroids, varicose veins and many other common and serious medical issues. IR is particularly relevant for patients who are in frail health or who have already undergone numerous surgeries.

By harnessing the power of advanced imaging (ultrasound, X-rays, CAT scans, MRI scans and other innovative methods), interventional radiologists can see inside your body and treat complex conditions—even cardiovascular disease and cancer—less invasively and with unprecedented precision.

Many different medical conditions can be treated including, but not limited to, abscesses, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), cancer, pelvic pain, infertility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), hypertension, kidney failure, liver disease, pulmonary embolisms, peripheral artery disease, uterine fibroids, varicose veins and more!  For a full listing and description of conditions and treatments, go here: https://www.sirweb.org/patient-center/.

While interventional procedures are chosen as an alternative to surgery, you should be prepared for some similarities with conventional surgery. Patients are sedated for many of the procedures, during which they are sleepy but can be aroused if necessary. You will be treated in a special radiology room that may look similar to a surgical suite, and the staff likely will be wearing surgical "scrubs", head coverings and gloves.

You will spend some time in a recovery area, where the staff will monitor you for a period of time before you are dismissed. Specific details of your procedure will be explained to you by the radiologist and staff members.

As with surgery, interventional procedures can have complications. These will be discussed with you before you are asked to sign a consent form.

Follow-up care instructions will be given to you at the time of your procedure. All such care is specific to the procedure performed and your personal health condition.

As clinical care physicians, interventional radiologists are more than just specialists who perform a procedure to treat your medical problem or disease. We practice coordinated care—in clinics and on collaborative teams—expertly, consistently and in ways that help you achieve the best health possible.

Clinical care means we manage your health issues or disease treatment throughout the entire episode of your care--before, during and after your procedure--and even throughout your lifetime.
Interventional radiologists often work as part of a collaborative team—partnering with your primary care physician or referring specialist to provide you with total care.
Over the course of your treatment, you may move in and out of the interventional plan of care as your disease or condition changes. But your IR physician will remain an integral part of your care team every step of the way.

Typically you will have a consultation with your interventional radiologist before the procedure.  At this appointment, he or she will examine you and discuss treatment options.  Once a treatment plan is determined (some treatment plans involve more than one procedure), you will be scheduled for treatments.  After all of the treatments have been completed, you will typically have a follow up appointment, during which you can discuss results and determine if additional procedures or treatments are needed.