Interventional Radiology

Interventional Radiology (IR) is also known as Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) or Surgical Radiology. IR is a medical sub-specialty of radiology which utilizes minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system. The concept behind interventional radiology is to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques currently available in order to minimize risk to the patient and improve health outcomes.

As the inventors of angioplasty and the catheter-delivered stent, interventional radiologists pioneered modern minimally invasive medicine. Using X-rays, CT, ultrasound, MRI, and other imaging modalities, interventional radiologists obtain images which are then used to direct interventional instruments throughout the body. These procedures are usually performed using needles and narrow tubes called catheters, rather than by making large incisions into the body as in traditional surgery.

Many conditions that once required surgery can now be treated non-surgically by interventional radiologists. Thus, minimizing the physical trauma to the patient, significantly reducing risk of infection, recovery times and hospital stays.

Quantum Radiology interventional radiologists are minimally invasive specialists that diagnose or treat disease, with the advantage of being far less invasive than traditional surgery. The landscape of medicine is constantly changing, and for more than 30 years, interventional radiologists have been responsible for much of the medical innovation and development of the minimally invasive procedures that are commonplace today.