We live in an era where every passing day we are introduced to the new treatments for the existing as well as new health issues. All thanks to the science and technology for introducing advanced and futuristic treatments in the field of medical science. One such advanced technology that has gained much popularity over recent years is Interventional Radiology. The IR based treatment is helping the patients to get treated without having to undergo a painful surgery. Dr. Charalambous is a leader and pioneer in the IR field and has recently moved from Germany to Cyprus to practise Interventional Radiology.

Interventional radiologists are specially trained in radiology as well as interventional technologies. This powerful integration of skills is not enough, the specialists have to undergo a six to eight years of training. This is the reason why radiologists achieve greater success in treating their patients. During their training, they learn different techniques to learn about the problems inside the body and treat them using radio technologies without having to use any invasive treatment.

Due to this, patients receive the benefits like faster recovery, less pain, less risk etc. IR involves the treatment as well as diagnosis via a microincision which doesn't require any stitches. Instead of stitching, the surgical wound is covered using an adhesive bandage.

Generally, the techniques based on Interventional Radiology begins with a catheter inserted into the body through a blood vessel in the wrist and the treatment is delivered using the catheter. The treatment is relatively quick. The majority of the patients are even sent to their homes on the same day of treatment and they can start working normally very soon.

What is Interventional Radiology?

As per the definition, it refers to the technology which is based on radiological image guidance to perform a successful surgery. It includes techniques like ultrasound. Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI], X-ray fluoroscopy etc. As we already discussed, most of the IR based treatments are least invasive and are great alternatives to keyhole surgeries or laparoscopic operations.

The most important skills of an IR specialist includes the diagnosis using image interpretation, use of the finest catheter tubes to have an in depth view of the body and working with fine needles. We can say that these unique skills can never be found in other doctors.

The category of health problems which can be treated by the Interventional Radiology has expanded over the past few years and is growing ontinuously. Also, the benefits of this treatment are enormous and due to this reason, more and more patients are moving towards it. Not only the humans, but the animals are also benefitted using the IR technique. Majority of veterinary surgeons have started to follow the interventional radiology techniques do treat the animals. The effectiveness of the treatment is clearly greater than the traditional treatments.

Benefits of Interventional Radiology

All thanks to the advancements in the medical field as the invertional radiology serves outstanding benefits to the patients who need to be treated for different kinds of injuries and illnesses. First and foremost, the IR is used to determine if the patient really needs the surgery or not This helps in bypassing the need of any fact-finding surgery. Moreover, the IR specialist use the minimal invasive ways to treat their patients which result in less pain and mental pressure. The treatment issafe and the results are effective than the traditional treatments.

Here are the three main benefits of the interventional radiology

1. Minimum Pain

The very first advantage of the IR techniques is the patients doesn't have to go through the unbearable pain during and after the surgery. It just involves micro incision whenever required. You don’t even have to worry about the marks that are left behind the stitches. These tiny incisions are closed by the adhesive tapes. This allows the patients to receive the treatment in a more convenient way.

2. Minimum Risk

Because interventional radiology involves micro incisions, there is a very negligible risk of complications and infections. Most importantly, the patients are not given any anaesthesia, unlike the traditional surgeries. Instead of that, they are given local sedation and anaesthetics to ease their pain and make them relaxed during the surgery. Apart from it. there is no risk of damaging the other body parts as the interventional radiologist treat the diseased organ directly with full precision.

3. Quick Recovery

Patients who undergo IR based treatment recovers way more faster than the patients who undergo traditional surgeries. The reason behind this is simple, the procedure is simple and is least invasive. There is no surprise that the patient getting discharged on the same day of his surgery. This means you don't even have to spend several days in the hospital.

4. Less Expensive

IR based treatments are very cost-effective for a few reasons. First of all you don't have to stay in the hospital for several days, means you don't have to pay the admission fee there. Secondly, the tiny incisions doesn't require much of care and after treatment. So. you will be saving a lot of medical expenses.

Are There Any Risks In The Procedures Based on Interventional Radiology?

Risks in IR procedures are much less than the risks involved in traditional surgical procedures. Dr. Charalambous applies advanced, state of the art techniques to minimize risk factors as much as possible. Risks will be addressed at the time of your consultation prior to treatment. 

Dr Nikolas Charalambous is named among the most prominent interventional radiologist. Get a free consultation for a minimally invasive treatment of brain, neck, and spine.