Interventional Radiology (IR) is an exciting area of modern medicine delivering precise, targeted treatment for complex diseases and conditions throughout the body to the nearest millimetre using a variety of medical imaging technology.
Interventional radiology (IR) is an exciting area of modern medicine that exists to deliver precise, targeted treatment for complex diseases and conditions throughout the body. Medical imaging modalities including CT, fluoroscopy, mammography, MRI or ultrasound are used to guide a small needle or catheter (a narrow tube) for millimetre-precise injections. Interventional radiology can be used to diagnose and/or treat many conditions that once required surgical procedures to treat, including pain relief, joint and facet injections, epidurals, biopsies and more.
There are many advantages of interventional radiology. Some of these include the fact that it is minimally invasive, most procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, general anaesthesia is usually not required, the risk of infection is very low, pain and recovery time are significantly reduced, and procedure cost is much less compared with surgery.
Specific preparation instructions will depend on the procedure that you are undergoing, and your current medications. This is determined by our Interventional Radiologist, who will be with you for the procedure. If you will be put under general anaesthetic, it is imperative that you do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your procedure. Additionally, please be sure that you clearly understand any pre-procedure instructions which will be outlined by our bookings staff.
There are many types of interventional radiology available at South Coast Radiology, and each procedure varies. Our Radiologist and nurse will explain your procedure to you on the day. Our highly trained staff with be available to answer any questions you may have prior to or after the procedure.
For some procedures you may be required to arrange transport to and from your appointment. Any post-procedure care will be fully explained at the time of booking.
Following your procedure, the radiologist who performs the interventional procedure will complete a report regarding the procedure, and forward it to your referring doctor. The results will be sent directly to the referring doctor, and so it is important that you book a timely follow-up appointment to discuss the results and effectiveness of the procedure.
As with most medical procedures, there are slight risks involved in Interventional Radiology. The specific risks that are involved in Interventional Radiology are dependent upon the procedure you have been referred for, however, the benefits generally outweigh the risks.
Imaging tests can’t always differentiate benign lesions from cancer when they are identified by physical examination, ultrasound or mammography. Because of this, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and core biopsy procedures are used to define the true nature of abnormal areas found on ultrasound or mammography. At South Coast Radiology and The Women’s Imaging Centre, these Interventional Radiology procedures are used to detect abnormal breast tissue.
For FNA, a fine needle is inserted into the abnormal area using the guidance of an ultrasound or x-ray, whereby the cells are aspirated for viewing under a microscope.
Some solid lesions may benefit from core biopsy. Both Fine Needle Aspiration and core biopsies are carried out by a specialist Radiologist, and we also have an expert pathologist onsite during these procedures to ensure that an adequate sample has been obtained.
People who suffer acute or chronic spine pain affecting the neck, buttocks, legs or arms might benefit from a nerve block injection to achieve temporary pain relief. A nerve block is used to treat a particular nerve or group of nerves by injecting an anaesthetic or anti-inflammatory agent into the targeted area, which will duly switch off pain signals or decrease inflammation.
For nerve block injections, CT or fluoroscopy technology is used for needle guidance, to ensure the needle is correctly placed to maximise pain relief for the patient.
Steroid injections are used to relieve acute or chronic pain. A combination of hydrocortisone and long-acting local anaesthetic is injected into or around a bursa, joint or nerve depending on the cause of pain. CT, fluoroscopy or ultrasound is used for needle guidance, to ensure the needle is correctly placed to maximise pain relief.
PRP Therapy is an injection that helps speed up the body’s natural healing abilities. A small amount of the patient’s blood is taken and treated to extract the platelets of the blood, which are then injected into the area of concern. A high concentration of platelets carries Platelet Growth Factors and assists with rebooting the repair cycles in certain body issues. PRP can offer an alternative to surgery as many parts of the body can be treated with PRP therapy. Common examples of areas that can be treated using PRP therapy include muscle, ligament and tendon tears and damage, injuries to the; shoulder (rotator cuff repair), elbow (tennis elbow), hip (abductors in Trochanteric Bursitis), knee (patellar Tendon, degeneration and Osteoarthritis) and ankle and foot (Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fasciitis).
PRP Injections are delivered by one of our specially trained Radiologists and are carried out using Ultrasound or X-ray.
Usually, 2 or more injections are required several weeks apart. Patients are encouraged to rest and refrain from any significant activity involving the body part for one week.
Epidural injections can provide relief for various conditions causing acute or chronic pain, including spinal stenosis or herniated discs. CT technology is used to guide needles, helping interventional radiologists reduce a patient’s inflammation and pain.
Under image guidance using either ultrasound or CT, a needle or catheter is placed within the chest or abdomen to drain abnormal fluid collection. The patient must remain very still while the fluid is being drained and remain in the department after the procedure for observation.
South Coast Radiology
Administrative Offices
Locked Bag 1000,
Mermaid Beach
Queensland 4218
+61 7 5578 9688
