Interventional radiology: It’s a new development in the field of medical sciences which provides non-surgical options to treat various disease ailments. Through a small hole the various disease sites in the body is accesses using image guidance (Cath lab , CT . USG ) and pathology (diseases ) were treated . Interventional radiologists perform a broad range of procedures such as treating tumours, taking organ biopsies or placing stents by inserting tiny instruments and thin plastic tubes (catheters) into the body via an artery or vein. The images are used to guide the catheters and instruments to the exact area where the procedure or treatment is to be performed. This reduces the need for traditional (open) or keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery as treatment can be given via a small plastic tube about the size of a straw. The spectrum of this endovascular interventional radiology varied from head to toe .It has evolved into subspecialities like
1. Neurointervention sciences to treat intracranial aneurysm , stroke ,AVM and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.
2.Peripheral interventions : Arterial angioplasties were performed to treat gangrene, diabetic foot and leg pain .
3. Venous interventions : to treat Deep vein thrombosis for relieving leg swelling , endovenous laser /thermal /gleu ablation for treating varicose veins and venous ulcer
4.Oncointerventions : Nonsurgical curative / palliative treatment of liver tumor, lung tumor, bone tumor , kidney tumor , fibroid and thyroid tumor.
5. Embolisation interventions: Uterine artery embolisation to treat uterine fibroid .It provide life saving option for nasal bleeding, hemoptysis , and GI bleed.
6. Non vascular interventions : to treat jaundice, liver abscess, infertility
Symptoms
Leg pain
Do you have leg pain/ calf pain /cold leg/ diabetic foot/ cramps . These symptoms points towards serious vascular disease .
Early diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease help in getting early treatment and thereby reduce chances of developing gangrene and can avoid limb amputation. Common symptoms of PAD include: Pain, aches, and cramps in the legs , Pain when resting your legs and feet, Difficulty with walking, Non-healing sores on the legs and feet, Hair loss on the legs, Weak pulse in the legs and feet, Thin, brittle, or shiny skin, Impotence, Severely restricted mobility
Treatment : The disease is evaluated by Doppler , angiography and then treated by angioplasty and stenting of peripheral arteries
Leg pain with swelling
Do you have calf pain /skin discoloration around ankle /limb swelling / varicose veins. These symptoms points towards venous disease and proper and timely treatment will help in relieving the symptoms .
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (Varicose veins) can be another culprit. It occurs when the blood in your legs is having trouble flowing back to your heart properly because the valves are weakened.
CVI has many of the same symptoms as PAD, like pain, difficulty walking, and feelings of heaviness in the legs, sore around ankle
Treatment : The disease is evaluated by Doppler and then treated by endovenous thermal /laser/glue ablation
Leg swelling
If you have persistently swollen leg, ankle swelling, and/or excess fluid in your legs redness of skin , it could be a more serious vascular condition like DVT.
Treatment : The disease is evaluated by Doppler , and then treated by cather directed thrombolysis /angiojet thrombolysis
Bleeding
Increased menstrual bleeding , can be the sign of uterine fibroid and can be treated by uterine artery embolisation
Bleeding in cough – can be life threatening and treated by bronchial artery embolisation
Bleeding in stool – can be life threatening and treated by GI embolisation
Jaundice: can be due to tumor in biliary system or gall bladder which can be treated by biliary drainage and stenting .
