Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is shifting the way treatment gets done, less waiting, less cutting, less time spent recovering. Biruni Hospital doesn’t treat it like a trend, it’s part of how things actually work when precision matters. 

Turkey happens to be the backdrop, but what makes a difference is seeing how these methods are used with purpose, not noise not promises; just results that make sense when the right tools are in the right hands.

What is interventional radiology really about

Interventional radiology is about doing more with less cutting, less pain, less recovery time, it relies on imaging to guide thin wires and catheters through the body to reach the exact spot that needs attention without opening anything up unless absolutely necessary. 

It sounds technical because it is, but at its core it’s just a smarter way to fix things without taking everything apart along the way.

Some things that define interventional radiology

• It uses imaging to guide tools with real precision instead of relying on open surgery
• It involves only tiny cuts or even just needle punctures, not large incisions
• It targets one problem at a time without disturbing everything else around it
• It’s used for blocked vessels, tumors, internal bleeding, and more
• It usually means less hospital time and fewer complications
• It’s handled by doctors who read images and act on them in the same breath

What are the main types of interventional radiology procedures ?

Not every condition needs a scalpel and a long recovery time. These procedures prove that precision and planning can often do more with far less.

Angioplasty and stenting

Angioplasty and stenting are used to open up blood vessels that have narrowed so much they’re starting to restrict blood flow. Instead of cutting the vessel open, a thin tube is pushed through the bloodstream toward the blockage.

Then either a small balloon is inflated to flatten the buildup or a stent is placed to hold the vessel open long term. This is done while watching everything on a screen in real time, and the process needs steady hands and a clear plan. 

Steps and aspects of angioplasty and stenting

• Blood vessels are scanned and mapped to figure out where the problem starts and stops
• A catheter is inserted through a small entry point, usually in the groin or wrist
• The catheter is guided through the vessel toward the narrowed or blocked area
• A balloon is inflated to push aside plaque and widen the passage
• If needed, a metal stent is placed to keep the vessel from narrowing again
• The balloon and catheter are carefully removed once the area is stable
• Imaging is used again to confirm that blood flow has returned
• The patient is monitored closely for a few hours in case of complications
• Ongoing checkups are scheduled to make sure the vessel stays open

Embolization

Embolization is about shutting off blood flow where it’s doing more harm than good. Whether it’s feeding a tumor or causing bleeding, the idea is to block those vessels on purpose by guiding materials like coils or tiny particles through a catheter right into the problem zone. This can stop the growth of something that shouldn’t be there or stop internal bleeding without opening up the body. 

The skill lies in knowing exactly which vessel to block and doing it without damaging the ones that still need to do their job.

Steps and aspects of embolization

• Imaging is used to identify which blood vessels are feeding the problem
• A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel through a small puncture in the skin
• The catheter is guided precisely to the target area
• The right embolic material is chosen based on the size and type of vessel
• That material is released slowly to block the vessel from the inside
• The area is checked immediately to make sure the blockage is effective
• The patient is observed for side effects like pain or unintended tissue damage
• Follow up scans are done later to make sure the blockage held and symptoms improved

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a method for destroying unhealthy tissue like tumors or nerves by heating it from the inside using an electric current. Doctors guide a needle-like electrode through the skin and place it directly into the target tissue.

Then send controlled radiofrequency energy through the tip, which generates enough heat to break down the cells. The entire process is monitored in real time, and the doctor watches both the position of the tool and how the tissue reacts. 

Steps and aspects of radiofrequency ablation

• Imaging is used to measure the size and location of the abnormal tissue
• The patient is given local anesthesia or sedation depending on the area treated
• A needle electrode is inserted through the skin to reach the target
• Imaging guides the needle into exact position to avoid surrounding structures
• The radiofrequency current is turned on to heat the tip and destroy the tissue
• Temperature is monitored closely during the entire process
• Once the area is treated, the electrode is pulled out
• The patient is monitored for any short term complications like bleeding or nerve irritation
• A follow up scan checks the results and confirms that the treatment worked

Chemoembolization

Chemoembolization is a way of treating tumors, especially in the liver, by combining two approaches at once. Chemotherapy is delivered directly into the artery that feeds the tumor, and that artery is then blocked to trap the drug and cut off the tumor’s blood supply. The goal is to hit the tumor hard without flooding the entire body with chemo. 

It’s a procedure that requires careful coordination because it targets cancer without touching the healthy parts of the liver. The entire treatment is done through small catheters, with no need for surgery.

Steps and aspects of chemoembolization

• Scans are done to locate the tumor and figure out which artery feeds it
• A small catheter is inserted through the groin into the arterial system
• The catheter is guided to the artery that supplies the tumor
• A mixture of chemotherapy and embolic particles is injected into the artery
• The artery is then blocked to keep the drug in place longer and starve the tumor
• The patient is monitored for reactions, especially pain and liver function
• Repeat sessions may be planned based on how the tumor responds
• The oncology and radiology teams coordinate follow up treatment as needed

Uterine artery embolization

Uterine artery embolization is used to treat fibroids in the uterus by cutting off their blood supply. Instead of removing the fibroids surgically, a doctor finds the arteries that feed them and releases small particles that block those vessels. 

Without blood, the fibroids shrink over time, and symptoms like pain or heavy bleeding start to ease. This is a procedure that gives women a non-surgical option, especially if they want to avoid hysterectomy or keep other options open.

Steps and aspects of uterine artery embolization

• Imaging is done first to assess the size, number, and position of the fibroids
• The vascular system is accessed through a small puncture, usually in the groin
• A catheter is guided into the uterine arteries under imaging control
• Tiny embolic particles are slowly released to block blood flow to the fibroids
• The arteries are checked to make sure the block is complete but localized
• The patient is observed for pain and managed for post-embolization symptoms
• Scans are done later to measure fibroid shrinkage and symptom improvement
• Counseling is offered about what to expect long term, including effects on fertility
• The gynecology team may remain involved for continued monitoring or additional care

What should you do before undergoing an interventional radiology procedure?

Getting ready for interventional radiology isn’t complicated, but it’s not something to walk into unprepared either. What happens before the procedure sets the tone for everything that follows, and skipping the small steps usually leads to big problems.

1. Medical history review

Your care team will need a full picture of your health, past surgeries, meds, allergies, even things you think are minor can change how the procedure goes.

2. Medication adjustments

If you’re on blood thinners or certain prescriptions, you may need to stop them a few days ahead. This isn’t a suggestion, it’s safety.

3. Fasting instructions

You’ll probably be told not to eat or drink for a few hours beforehand, especially if sedation is involved. It’s not comfortable, but it matters.

4. Pre procedure testing

Blood tests or imaging might be done beforehand to make sure your body can handle the procedure, and to give the doctor a clear map to work with.

5. Consent and explanation

Before anything happens, you’ll get a straight explanation of what’s being done, what can go wrong, and what to expect. After that’s when you sign.

6. Transportation planning

You’re not driving home after this, even if you feel fine. Someone needs to take you back safely, and that plan needs to be in place early.

7. Clothing and personal items

Wear something simple, skip jewelry, and leave anything valuable at home. You’ll be changing into a gown, and you don’t want extra hassle.

8. Day of arrival

You’ll be told to show up early to get checked in, go through last minute questions, and have everything set up before the procedure starts.

What does recovery look like after an interventional radiology procedure?

Recovery from interventional radiology doesn’t always look like much from the outside. Most people head home the same day with a small bandage and a few instructions, but the body still goes through changes, and not all of them are obvious right away. 

Short term healing period

Soreness or aching where the catheter went in, especially if you move too much too soon

• A bit of bruising or swelling around the access point, usually fades in a few days
• Feeling worn out, even if the procedure was short, this is normal and doesn’t mean anything wrong
• Light nausea or dizziness if you were sedated during the procedure
• A dressing or bandage you’ll need to keep clean and dry until told otherwise
• Limits on movement, especially anything that involves pushing, pulling, or lifting
• Instructions to watch for redness, heat, or any fluid near the site, just in case of infection
• Drinking more water than usual to help flush the dye used in imaging out of your system
• Mild discomfort when restarting medications, especially if they were paused before the procedure
• A quick follow up check, either by phone or in person, to make sure the early recovery is on track

Long term healing period

• Full fading of any bruising or skin irritation from the access site          
• Slow return to regular movement, especially after procedures near joints or the spine
• Imaging to confirm that what needed fixing was actually fixed and nothing else was affected
• Symptoms gradually easing, like lighter bleeding, fewer headaches, less pain, depending on what was treated
• If you were treated for tumors or fibroids, you’ll notice size changes over weeks, not days
• Possibility of needing more than one session if the treatment was done in stages, like with liver tumors
• Bloodwork to keep an eye on kidney or liver function, especially if contrast dye was involved
• Watching for delayed reactions that don’t show up right away, like clotting or infection
• Medication changes based on how your body responds in the weeks after treatment
• Follow up appointments with your primary doctor or specialist to stay aligned on long term care

Where precision replaces guesswork

Interventional radiology isn’t just an alternative to surgery, it’s a shift in how treatment gets done with less risk and more accuracy. What matters most is that it works quietly, consistently, and with purpose, especially when the right people are behind it.