Interventional Radiology and Image-Guided Surgery

When you need surgery, you want the least invasive options with the shortest recovery time possible. Interventional radiology (IR) is an image-guided procedure that lets doctors see inside the body using traditional vascular radiology (like x-ray, CT, vascular ultrasound or MRI) to perform a variety of procedures. The imaging helps doctors place catheters, wires, and other small instruments and tools into your body. Doctors use this technology to diagnose or treat conditions in nearly any part of the body without using a scope (camera) or open surgery.

Because IR procedures are less invasive (meaning no surgery or anesthesia and a smaller incision), risk, pain and recovery time after these procedures is much lower. Most of the IR procedures can be performed by an IR physician or IR specialist on an outpatient basis or require only a short hospital stay.

Common IR Procedures

• Needle biopsy of the breast or lung
• Catheters to find blockages in veins and arteries
• Stent placement for coronary arteries