Interventional Radiology Technology

Interventional radiology (IR) is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses the guidance of imaging technologies to treat diseases, illnesses and injuries. In many cases, IR procedures are done for treatment purposes, while others are done for purely diagnostic purposes. With extensive training, a radiologist can become skilled in using a large array of imaging technologies, like ultrasounds, radiology CT, nuclear medicine, PET scans and radiology MRI to diagnose and treat diseases.

Some common IR imaging methods include X-ray, fluoroscopy, radiology CT (computer topography), ultrasounds and MRI radiology (magnetic resonance imaging). Fluoroscopy and radiology CT use ionizing radiation that can potentially be harmful to the patient and, in the case of fluoroscopy, the IR radiologist. Both methods have the great advantage of being both fast and accurate. Although ultrasound may suffer with image quality and tissue contrast issues, it is also fast and fairly inexpensive. MRI radiology provides the best tissue contrast; though it is expensive and requires specialized instrumentation that does not interact with the magnetic fields that are present. As a medical specialty, radiology can be classified into two categories; diagnostic radiology and therapeutic radiology.

The four main types of radiology include interventional, diagnostic, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Diagnostic radiology includes common types of preventative medicine practices like ultrasounds, MRIs, mammograms, angiograms and X-rays. Doctors use these techniques to check the systems of the body to evaluate whether there is something wrong. Aside from the standard healthy diet and exercise, that is the best health prevention method.

The IR method is an alternative to a surgical procedure and can include any of the following: cancer treatments, biopsies, embolism treatment, angioplasty, nerve-root blocks and varicose vein treatments. Damage to the heart, lungs, thyroid, liver, gallbladder and bones can be assessed through nuclear medicine.

Many times during an interventional radiology procedure, chemicals are placed in the clogged locations to dissolve the clots or plaque. A related radiologic technique is stent grafting. This involves placing a tube inside large blood vessels to prevent fatal bleeding or an aneurysm. Senior citizens benefit the most from non-invasive procedures. Many people are treated through outpatient care and go back to living productive lives afterward.

Tracking of the damage and progression of tumors can be monitored with IR methods as well. Radiation therapy is used to treat cancers, such as colorectal, breast, lung, head, neck and prostate, as well as brain tumors.

Another common use of radiology is with angioplasty. Angioplasty involves opening clogged arteries and benefits patients who are most at risk for heart attacks or strokes. During this procedure, inflated balloons are passed through a catheter to the areas that are clogged in order to increase blood flow to the rest of the body.

Health experts say that the use of interventional radiology for health diagnosis and testing is one of the biggest life savers in the medical field. Ultrasounds, radiology MRI and mammograms catch diseases and illnesses early, in order to help patients live longer lives.

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