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Interventional Radiology guides
15 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Interventional Radiology, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Angiogram (Catheter angiography (diagnostic angiogram))An X-ray test that uses a dye (contrast) and a fine tube passed into a blood vessel to show up the arteries or veins and find narrowings, blockages, bulges or bleeding.Biliary drainage and stenting (Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and biliary drainage/stenting)A keyhole, image-guided procedure that drains bile from a blocked bile duct, by placing a thin tube through the skin into the liver and often a stent to hold the duct open, used to relieve jaundice and itching.Central line or PICC line insertion (Central venous catheter / peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion)A thin, soft tube placed into a large vein near the heart so medicines, fluids, chemotherapy, feeding or repeated blood tests can be given without needing a fresh drip each time.Chest port (port-a-cath) insertion (Totally implantable central venous access port insertion)A small device placed fully under the skin of the chest, connected to a tube in a large vein, so treatment such as chemotherapy can be given through a needle into the port over many months.Embolisation to control bleeding (Therapeutic arterial embolisation for haemorrhage)A keyhole, image-guided procedure that blocks a bleeding blood vessel from the inside using tiny coils, particles, plugs or glue, often used urgently to stop dangerous bleeding without open surgery.Image-guided drainage of an abscess or fluid (Image-guided percutaneous drainage)A minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist uses a scan to guide a thin tube through a small skin puncture to drain an abscess or a collection of fluid.Image-guided spinal injection (Image-guided spinal injection (epidural, nerve root block or facet joint injection))An injection of local anaesthetic, usually with steroid, placed precisely around an irritated spinal nerve or joint using X-ray or CT guidance, mainly to ease nerve-related leg or arm pain for a time as part of a wider plan.IVC filter insertion (Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion and removal)A small metal device placed inside the large vein that returns blood from the legs to the heart, to catch blood clots and stop them reaching the lungs, mainly when blood-thinning medicine cannot be used.Nephrostomy (kidney drainage) (Percutaneous nephrostomy)A keyhole, image-guided procedure that places a thin tube through the skin of the back into a blocked kidney to drain urine, often done urgently to protect the kidney and treat infection.Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) (Prostate artery embolisation)A minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist blocks some of the small arteries supplying an enlarged prostate, through a tiny puncture in the groin or wrist, to ease urinary symptoms.TACE for liver tumours (Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE))A keyhole, image-guided treatment that delivers chemotherapy straight into a liver tumour through its blood supply and then blocks that supply, used to control liver cancer when surgery is not possible.Thrombolysis (clot-dissolving treatment) (Catheter-directed thrombolysis)An urgent treatment that uses a powerful clot-dissolving drug, often delivered through a fine tube placed right at the clot, to reopen a blood vessel that has suddenly become blocked.Thyroid nodule ablation (Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation of benign thyroid nodules (radiofrequency or microwave))A non-surgical, image-guided treatment that uses heat through a fine needle to shrink a confirmed benign thyroid lump that is causing symptoms or visible swelling, for selected people who want to avoid or cannot have surgery.Tumour ablation (heat treatment) (Image-guided thermal ablation (radiofrequency or microwave))A keyhole, image-guided treatment that destroys a small tumour with heat, using a needle-like probe passed through the skin, most often in the liver or kidney.Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (Percutaneous vertebroplasty / percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (vertebral augmentation))An image-guided procedure that injects special bone cement into a painful collapsed (fractured) spinal bone to stabilise it and help reduce pain, for selected people whose severe pain has not settled with other treatment.
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