World of empowering precision healthcare: Transformative interventional radiology
Published on: Tuesday, July 18, 2023
By: Dr Chandran Nadarajan
IN THE rapidly evolving landscape of modern medicine, interventional radiology (IR) stands at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in patient care.
As a patient, it is essential to understand the significant role interventional radiologists (right) play in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions.
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In this article, we will delve into the fascinating realm of IR, with particular emphasis on stroke thrombectomy, cancer treatment and the management of bleeding.
Dr Chandran Nadarajan
By shedding light on these critical areas, we aim to highlight the transformative impact of IR on patient outcomes.
Understanding interventional radiology
IR is a specialised medical field that combines advanced imaging techniques with minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat a range of conditions.
ADVERTISEMENT Skilled interventional radiologists work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide precise and targeted interventions guided by real-time imaging technologies such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.
Life-saving stroke thrombectomy
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Stroke thrombectomy is an exceptional example of the transformative power of IR.
When a stroke occurs due to blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, time is of the essence.
Interventional radiologists, in collaboration with neurologists and emergency medicine specialists, can rapidly intervene to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the brain.
During a stroke thrombectomy, a specialised catherer is carefully navigated through the blood vessels to reach the site of the clot.
Utilising imaging guidance, interventional radiologists precisely deliver a device to capture and remove the clot, enabling the restoration of blood flow.
This procedure has revolutionised stroke care, significantly reducing disability and improving patient outcomes.
With timely intervention, stroke thrombectomy offers a ray of hope for patients and their families.
Transforming cancer treatment
IR plays a pivotal role in diagnosing, staging and treating various types of cancer. By utilising advanced imaging guidance, interventional radiologists can precisely target tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Image guided biopsies: In cases where cancer is suspected, interventional radiologists can perform image-guided biopsies. This minimally invasive procedure allows for the accurate sampling of suspicious tissues, aiding the diagnosis and guiding further treatment decisions. Image-guided biopsies offer a less invasive alternative to surgical biopsies, ensuring a more comfortable patient experience.
- Tumour ablation: For smaller tumours, interventional radiologists employ techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) to destroy cancer cells. These procedures involve the precise delivery of energy to heat or freeze the tumour, effectively eliminating it. Tumour ablation offers a targeted approach to cancer treatment, reducing the need for extensive surgery and improving overall patient outcomes.
- Chemoembolisation and radioembolisation: In cases where tumours cannot be surgically removed, interventional radiologists offer targeted treatments. Chemoembolisation involves delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumour site, reducing systemic side effects while maximising the impact of the tumour. Radioembolisation involves delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumour site, reducing systemic side effects while maximising the impact of the tumour. Radioembolisation involves the precise delivery of radiation therapy directly to the tumour, offering a localised approach to treatment. These techniques provide viable options for patients who may not be suitable candidates for surgery or systemic chemotherapy.
Precision management of bleeding
IR provides life-saving interventions for managing bleeding with precision in various parts of the body.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding: Significant gastrointestinal bleeding can be a medical emergency. Interventional radiologists can perform angiography to identify the source of bleeding. Once identified, they can employ techniques such embolization which involves blocking the bleeding vessel to control and stop the bleeding, eliminating the need for more invasive surgical procedures.
- Trauma interventions: In cases of severe trauma or internal bleeding, IR plays a vital role in providing immediate care. By utilising angiography and embolisation techniques, interventional radiologists can rapidly control bleeding, helping stabilise the patient while working in collaboration with surgical teams.
Other applications IR can also involved in:
- Vascular health: Interventional radiologists specialise in diagnosing and treating diseases affecting blood vessels. They can address arterial blockages, aneurysms and varicose veins using techniques like angioplasty (opening narrowed arteries), stenting (placing small tubes to keep vessels open) and embolization (blocking blood flow to abnormal vessels).
- Pain management: Interventional radiologists can provide relief from chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, herniated discs or compression fractures. They use techniques like nerve blocks and spinal interventions to precisely target and alleviate pain, enhancing patients’ quality of life.
- Gastrointestinal and genitourinary health: Interventional radiology offers procedures to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive and urinary system. This includes interventions for gallstones, bile duct obstructions, gastrointestinal bleeding and more.
Advantages of minimally invasive procedures
One of the key benefits of interventional radiology is its focus on minimally invasive procedures. These procedures offer several advantages over traditional surgery:
- Smaller incisions: Instead of large incisions, interventional radiology procedures involve tiny openings in the skin, reducing scarring and minimising the risk of infection.
- Faster recovery: With smaller incisions, patients typically experience less pain and a quicker recovery than with traditional surgery. This means spending less time in the hospital and getting back to your daily activities sooner.
- Targeted treatments: Interventional radiologists use real-time imaging to guide their instruments to the targeted area of treatment precisely. This allows for accurate and focused treatment delivery, minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
IR is revolutionising the way we diagnose and treat various medical conditions.
Whether it’s managing vascular diseases, treating cancer, alleviating chronic pain or addressing gastrointestinal issues, IR plays a crucial role in delivering patient-centered healthcare.
By utilising cutting-edge imaging technologies and minimally invasive techniques, interventional radiologists provide precise and effective care with minimal risk and faster recovery times.
By working hand in hand with other healthcare professionals, interventional radiologists contribute to improved health outcomes, helping individuals like you live healthier and happier lives.
This article was contributed by
Dr Chandran Nadarajan who is an
Interventional Radiologist at
Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu.
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