Interventional radiology

Interventional radiology involves operations that are carried out with image monitoring. This can simply be done on the mammography (breast puncture) or ultrasound (thyroid gland, for example) to follow a needle on a screen when it has to reach a wound. The aim is to ensure that the radiologist targets exactly the right place. This can also be done with a CT scan to reach deeper structures in the lungs or the abdomen more accurately. The procedure can also be used to drain an abscess (accumulation of fluid) or to cauterise a wound.

Angiography (examination of the blood vessels)

Angiographies also fall under interventional radiology. In this case, the radiologist examines blood vessels in the same way as cardiologist carries out catheter examinations. An artery is pricked and a small tube is inserted into the blood vessels as far as the kidneys, liver or brain. Once it is in place, the radiologist can view the blood vessels by injecting dye and possibly treat them using a balloon and stent to open the blood vessel or adhesive or particles to close the blood vessel. One special technique used in angiography is the thrombectomy. In this procedure, the radiologist removes a blood clot from a blood vessel, in the brain for example, via a small tube.

Local anaesthetic

All these techniques are usually carried out under local anaesthetic as is done at the dentist. The patient feels the prick of the anaesthetic, but the remainder of the examination is mostly painless. In complex cases, a general anaesthetic is used.