Interventional Radiology Minimum Access Maximum Result Interventional Radiology

Interventional Radiology Minimum Access – Maximum Result

Interventional Radiology is pin hole surgery performed with the aid of X rays, CT and ultrasound by specially trained doctors called Interventional Radiologists

8 out of 10 procedures use skin incisions smaller than 5 millimetres

9 out of 10 procedures use only local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation

Up to 8 out of 10 patients go home the same day

And it’s often a less invasive option than traditional surgical procedures

Targeted cancer treatment Blocked kidneys Dialysis Aortic aneurysms Internal Bleeding Blocked bile ducts We treat many conditions. . . . Here are just a few Blocked arteries Varicose veins Leg arteries Blood vessel malformations

Scope of Interventional Radiology Blood Vessel Bleeding control Cancer Many other treatments

Blood Vessels Treats blood vessels from 2 mm to 30 mm Narrowed blood vessels are stretched (Angioplasty) to improve blood flow Blocked blood vessels can be internally reopened in many cases Treatment of aneurysms (abnormal bulges in vessels).

Unblocking arteries Blocked arm artery (Arrow) causing pain and arm weakness Treated by internally unblocking the artery and placing a stent Major surgery avoided. Total treatment time of one hour

Aortic Aneurysm Abnormal bulge (aneurysm) of the main artery in the abdomen Risk of rupture and major bleeding Treated by internally relining the artery (Endovascular aneurysm repair -EVAR) Major surgery avoided. Total treatment time of 90 minutes

Cancer Treatment Symptom relief • Thermal destruction of small cancers using image guided needles • Stent insertion into the bowel for relief of obstruction • Targeted chemotherapy into blood vessels supplying the tumour • Insertion of lines for delivery of chemotherapy and nutrition

Cancer Treatment Small cancer lesion in the liver (arrow) in a patient with previously treated cancer Image guided thermal destruction Surgery and chemotherapy avoided. Treatment time of 60 minutes.

Bleeding Control Key emergency role for Interventional Radiology Treatment of bleeding from Trauma, bowel, child birth or following surgery Blood vessels as small as 2 -3 mm can be treated Blood vessels can be blocked (embolisation) or relined with a stent depending on the location and need

Bleeding into Bowel Severe bleeding into the large bowel (arrow) Treated with selective Blockage of the bleeding Artery Emergency surgery avoided

Other Treatments Bone Dialysis Liver and Bile ducts Fibroids Kidneys

Too many procedures. . . too little space For more detailed patient information and further information about Interventional Radiology please visit www. bsir. org & www. bsir-qi. org

Interventional Radiology Minimal access Local anaesthesia/sedation Quicker recovery Less invasive alternative

Prepared on behalf of British Society of Interventional Radiology by Dr G Ananthakrishnan and Dr I Robertson