Interventional radiology (IR) is a specialized field within radiology. In interventional radiology, doctors not only interpret your medical images, but they also perform minimally invasive surgical procedures through small incisions in the body.

Many IR procedures are life-saving or life-altering. They can be used to remove the blood clot causing a stroke, drain organs with potentially deadly infections or stop severe, life-threatening bleeding caused by a variety of conditions. These include trauma injuries, internal haemorrhages and problems during childbirth.

The range of conditions which can be treated by IR is enormous and continually expanding. You may have heard of some of the following: It is important to recognise that the interventional treatment is usually one of several treatment options available ranging from nothing, through drug treatment and up to surgery. Each case should be considered on its own merits.