Interventional Radiology

A medical sub-specialty, Interventional Radiology utilizes minimally-invasive image-guided technique to diagnose and treat nearly every organ system. The objective of interventional radiology is to minimize risk to the patient and improve health outcomes.

The procedure offers the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available using needles, wires and catheters to deliver treatments through a pinhole with minimum morbidity and less recovery time compared to conventional surgical procedures. The interventional radiologists use X-Ray, CT and other imaging to advance instruments in the body such as in an artery to treat the disease at the source. Many conditions that once required surgery can be treated less invasively by interventional radiologists. These treatments offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery.

Interventional Radiologists are image guided therapy clinicians who are specially trained in image interpretation and minimally invasive treatments of a wide variety of conditions across multiple specialties. Interventional Radiologists can deliver treatments for various cancers, fibroids, back and joint pain, varicose veins, arterial diseases, kidney and bile duct disease to name a few.

Interventional Techniques

Embolisation: Catheter based technique using coils, particles or glue to block tumour vessels or acute bleeding.

Chemoembolisation: As above but using local targeted high dose chemotherapy to treat tumours.

Ablation: Needle or catheter based technique using thermal energy forms like radiofrequency, microwave or cryo to treat tumours or varicose veins.

Balloons and stents: Techniques to open up a blocked tube like an artery, vein, bile duct, ureter, colon or oesophagus.

Needle biopsy and drainage: Core biopsy for pathological sampling or for draining thoraco-abdominal collections and abscesses.

Other techniques: Clot retrieval or lysis, caval filters, aneurysm stents, sclerotherapy etc.

Advantages

• Day case or short admission procedures
• Less / no pain
• More cosmetic - pinhole / spot dressing surgery
• Less morbidity / complications
• More rapid return to work
• Does not close the door for conventional surgeries
• Can be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy

Conditions that can be treated include

• Most uterine fibroids
• Rest pain and claudication
• Ischaemic diabetic foot
• Varicose veins
• Male varicocele and pelvic congestion syndrome
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Recurrent haemoptysis, GI bleeds
• Back pain
• Curative treatment for small kidney, lung or liver tumours
• Local control for larger tumours
• Venous access and ports
• Renal dialysis access
• Bile duct and ureteric blocks
• Complications of portal hypertension

The Centre for Interventional Therapies at RTIICS, Kolkata offers the latest and best technologies for minimally invasive treatments, along with experts trained from across the world. Key facilities include:

• Eastern India’s first DYNA CT 3D lab for superior guidance
• Dedicated Ultrasound for access, guidance, ablation, biopsies and injections
• Dedicated CT for guided minimally invasive procedures
• State-of-the-art theatre for guided combined procedures

Interventional Therapy Clinics

• Fibroid Clinic-Control fibroids without surgery
• Vascular & Vein Clinic-Arterial and venous disease
• Interventional Oncology-Minimally invasive cancer treatments
• Biopsy Clinic-Any lesion anywhere