Interventional Imaging

A subspecialty of interventional radiology (IR) uses image-guided, minimally-invasive procedures to diagnose and treat various diseases. Interventional radiologists rely on angiography, mobile C-arm and fluoroscopy imaging systems to perform thrombolysis, embolization, biopsies, vascular and other minimally invasive procedures, which can reduce recovery time, risk and costs. Find more IR content on the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) page.

Entire department of interventional radiologists resigns over failed negotiations
The negotiations pertain to disagreements on compensation and concerns over outdated equipment used during IR procedures.
FDA issues recall of Philips interventional imaging system due to safety risks
A communication error within the system can reportedly cause loss of imaging functionality mid-procedure.
AMA to advocate for improved Medicare payments for office-based labs
SCAI and other healthcare groups want changes made to how healthcare providers are paid after performing office-based lab procedures. "As much as we love delivering care as doctors, if we are losing money doing something, we cannot sustain it," one cardiologist explained.
Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation safer, as effective as surgery for papillary thyroid cancer
Though surgery is the current standard of care, experts believe ablative strategies "may become the primary choice for PTC treatment" in the future.
Cardiologist became paralyzed after wearing heavy aprons in the cath lab for decades—but he fought back
Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, was left paralyzed after battling severe orthopedic issues for his entire career. Back in the cath lab after a long recovery, he is now stressing the importance of workplace safety among interventional cardiologists.

ChatGPT large language models radiology health care

GPT-4 is better at explaining IR procedures than physicians

The demand for interventional radiology procedures is growing, but it is a specialty for which health literacy is lacking.

Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR, the chair of Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Small and Rural Practices Committee, president of the Hawaii Medical Association, and a board member of the American College of Radiology, outlines the shortage of IRs outside of major cities and ways to make these positions more attractive.

How to address the shortage of interventional radiologists

Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR, chair of SIR Small and Rural Practices Committee, and an ACR board member, outlines ways to make these positions outside of major cities more attractive.

New IR procedure for cubital tunnel syndrome

New IR procedure could be a viable alternative to surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome

The technique, which takes around 20 minutes to complete, uses ultrasound guidance to target and release Osborne's ligament with a specialized thread.

Ablation therapy versus partial nephrectomy for small renal masses

New findings portray both treatment options in a similar light when it comes to overall survival rates, though one creates significantly more burden for both patients and hospital resources.

Woman succumbs to injuries sustained in radiology suite explosion

Initial police reports indicate that an electrical short circuit started the fire, leading to the explosion of an oxygen cylinder.

Sahil Parikh, MD, FSCAI, Director of Endovascular Services at New York-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, explains there is scant clinical data on what the standard of care should be for pulmonary embolism, so it is up to clinicians to decide what is best for patients based on whether patients have mild to severe PE.

Pulmonary embolism treatments continue to evolve

There is still a lack of lack of standardized treatment protocols for pulmonary embolism. This is mainly due to limited data and a lack of reliable risk assessments, one specialist explained.

CT guided bone marrow biopsies cost 13 times more than non-image guided procedures, without improving specimen quality

A new analysis offers a thorough overview of the factors that influence providers’ decision to utilize image guidance and how they affect expenditures.

Simple IR procedure could prevent women from having hysterectomies, but most have never heard of it

New survey data suggest less than 20% of women with uterine fibroids are offered additional treatment options besides a hysterectomy.

Interventional Imaging

Entire department of interventional radiologists resigns over failed negotiations

FDA issues recall of Philips interventional imaging system due to safety risks

AMA to advocate for improved Medicare payments for office-based labs

Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation safer, as effective as surgery for papillary thyroid cancer

Cardiologist became paralyzed after wearing heavy aprons in the cath lab for decades—but he fought back