Interventional Radiology (IR)

What is IR?

Interventional radiology is a subspecialty of radiology in which minimally-invasive procedures are performed using image guidance. Interventional radiology procedures are an advance in medicine that often replace open surgical procedures. They are generally easier for the patient because they don’t involve large incisions, have less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times.

Some of these procedures are done for purely diagnostic purposes (i.e. angiogram), while others are done for treatment purposes (i.e. angioplasty). Pictures (images) are used to direct these procedures, which are usually performed with needles or other tiny instruments, like small tubes called catheters. The images provide road maps that allow the interventional radiologist to guide these instruments through the body to the areas of interest.

Interventional radiologists use imaging equipment such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) to diagnose disease.

How to Prepare

The specific type of procedure or exam being done will determine whether you have to do any preparation before the procedure. Your healthcare provider will give you any pre-procedure instructions.