The narrative of modern medicine is driven by relentless innovation. Ingenuity has transformed once-fatal diseases into treatable conditions. Pushing these frontiers further, interventional radiology (IR), with its scar-free philosophy, has replaced large incisions and prolonged recoveries with precision, minimalism, and rapid restoration of function. IR stands as an example of modern medical advancement, offering minimally invasive solutions across a gamut of clinical challenges — from stroke to cancer therapies, vascular reconstructions, pain management, spinal interventions, and dialysis access procedures.
Strokes: Time is brain
An acute ischemic stroke is a time-sensitive medical emergency that can devastate both body and spirit. Mechanical thrombectomy — a landmark neuro-interventional technique — has transformed our outlook on stroke, turning it into a potentially reversible event. Precision, image-guided removal of clots from blocked cerebral arteries using ultra-fine catheters now offers patients a far greater chance of meaningful recovery and a return to independence.
Sophisticated imaging techniques, such as perfusion CT and stroke-specific MRI, now enable precise identification of salvageable brain tissue — the “penumbra.” This has transformed what might have been lifelong disability into stories of renewed function and hope.
Expanding horizons – head to toe
The sprawl of interventional radiology extends far beyond strokes. Targeted cancer treatments, such as image-guided ablation — using modalities such as microwave, radiofrequency, laser, or cryotherapy — and trans-arterial chemoembolisation (TACE), achieve selective destruction of tumours while sparing healthy tissues.
Vertebral fractures in the elderly can cause incapacitating pain, which can be effectively alleviated through interventional radiology procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Similarly, low back pain arising from spinal degenerative diseases can be managed precisely with nerve root blocks and facet injections.
Patients suffering from severe peripheral vascular disease now have a scar-free alternative: endovascular revascularisation — including angioplasty and stenting — offering faster recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery.
Women’s health, too, has been positively transformed: uterine artery embolisation treats fibroids and severe bleeding while preserving fertility and avoiding open surgery. The frontiers of interventional radiology are rapidly expanding to address varicoceles, prostate enlargement, gastrointestinal bleeding, and life-threatening traumatic hemorrhages.
Interventional radiology plays a pivotal role in treating varicose veins, paediatric vascular malformations, head and neck tumours, and pain syndromes such as frozen shoulder and osteoid osteoma.
Precision, safety, and patient-centric care
The fundamental tenet of interventional radiology is exactitude. Elegant, tiny needle punctures replace large incisions, and real-time imaging guides every movement, reducing trauma to surrounding tissues. The benefits are self-evident: less blood loss, lower infection rates, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to daily activities.
Importantly, many IR procedures are performed under conscious sedation or local anaesthesia, offering advantages for elderly patients and those with significant co-existing ailments. This approach underscores a decisive shift towards truly patient-centric care.
Looking ahead: integrating technology and skill
Interventional radiology can only continue to grow rapidly with the integration of robotic guidance and advanced imaging fusion. Such innovations make possible procedures that were once deemed improbable. Interventional radiology stands as the flagship of a broader transformation in modern medicine, moving away from large, invasive surgeries towards elegant, targeted treatments that prioritise function, recovery, and quality of life.
For stroke survivors, cancer patients, and individuals with vascular or spinal disorders, interventional radiology is no longer merely an “alternative,” but increasingly, the standard of care. Awareness and timely access to interventional radiology are essential to ensure that more patients can benefit from these scar-free, life-changing interventions.
(Dr. Karthik Kulanthaivelu is head of the department of neuroradiology and interventional radiology at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute. pammalkk@gmail.com)
Published – July 15, 2025 05:41 pm IST
