| More

Interventional Radiology Training

What is Interventional Radiology?

IR, abbreviated for interventional radiology or VIR, short for ( vascular and interventional radiology ) which is a subspecialty of radiology in which minimally invasive prodedures are performed using image guidance. Some of these procedures are done for purely diagnostic purposes ( e.g . angiogram), while others are done for treatment purposes ( e.g. angioplasty). (Images), pictures are used to direct these procedures, which are ususally done with needles or other tiny instruments like small tubes called catheters. The images provide road maps that allow the interventional radiologist to guide these instruments throughout the body to the area of interest.

The training of interventional radiology procedures varies depending on whether you are a physician or a radiology imaging professional such as a Rad Tech or Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Radiologist Physicians usually complete a prlliminary year of interventional radiology training called an internship followed by a four year diagnostic radiology residency program and then a one or two year fellowship in vascular & interventional radiology. Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs are more commonly offering a focus on interventional procedures as due to high demand for these skilled professionals; however, it is necessary to inquire with specific schools about the specifics within their interventional radiology programs.

Find Radiology Schools

Interventional Radiology Training : Common Procedures

  1. Angiography: imaging the blood vessels to look for abnormalities with the use of various contrast media, including iodinated contrast, gadolinium based agents, and CO2 gas.
  2. Balloon angioplasty/stent : opening of narrow or blocked blood vessels using a balloon; may include placement of metallic stents as well ( both self expanding and balloon expandable).
  3. Chemoembolization: delivering cancer treatment directly to a tumor through it's blood supply, then using clot-inducing substances to block the artery, ensuring that the delivered chemotheraphy is not "washed out" by continued blood flow.
  4. Cholecystostomy : placement of a tube into the gallbladder to remove infected bile in the patients with cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder, who are to frail or too sick to undergo surgery.
  5. Drain Insertions : placement of the tubes into different parts of the body to drain fluids (e.g., abcess drains to remove pus, pleural drains ).
  6. Embolization : blocking abnormal blood (artery) vessels (e.g., for the purpose of stopping bleeding) or organs ( to stop the extra function e.g. embolization of the spleen for hyperplenism) including uterine artery embolization for percutaneous treatment of uterine fibroids. Various embolic agents are used, including alcolhol, glue, mettalic coils, poly-viny alcohol particles, Embospheres, encapsulated chemo-microsphere, and gel foam.
  7. Thrombosis : treatment aimed at dissolving blood clots (e.g., pulmonary emboli, leg vein thrombi, thrombosed hemodialysis accesses) (TPA) and mechanical means.
  8. Biopsy : taking of a tissue sample from the area of interest for pathological examination from a percutaneous or transjugular approach.
  9. Radiofrequency alblation (RF/RFA ) : localized destruction of tissue (e.g., tumors) by heating.
  10. Cryoablation = localized destruction of tissue by freezing.
  11. Line insertion : Vascular access and management of specialized kinds of intravenous devices (IVs) ( e.g. PICC lines, Hickman lines, subcutaneous ports including translumbar and transhepatic venous lines ).
  12. IVC Filters: - metallic filters placed in the inferior vena cavae to prevent propagation of deep venous thrombus, both temporary and permanent.
  13. Vertebroplasty : percutaneoous injection of biocompatible bone cement inside fractured vertebrae.
  14. Nephrostomy Placement : Placing a catheter into the kidney to drain urine in situations where normal flow of urine is obstructed. NUS =catheters are nephroureteral stents which are placed through the ureter and into the bladder.
  15. Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy or RIG : Placement of a feeding tube percutaneously into the stomach and/ or jejunum.
  16. Dialysis access and related intervention: Placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters, peritoneal dialysis catheters, revision/thrombolysis of poorly functioning surgically placed AV fistulas and grafts.
  17. TIPS : Placement of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Porto-systemic Shunt (TIPS) for management of select patients with critical end stage liver diease and portal hypertension.
  18. Biliary Intervention- Placement of catheters in the biliary system to bypass biliary obstructions and decompress the biliary system. Also placement indwelling biliary stents.
  19. Endovenous laser ablation of varicous veins - Placement of thin laser fiber in varicous veins for non-sugical treatment of venous insufficiency.

As you can see, there are many procedures that fall under the category of interventional. These procedures are peformed using different modalities such as CT, Ultrasound, and MRI's, for example. Each one has it's advantages, depending on the type of procedure being performed. The purpose of this article is to get you familiar with common interventional radiology procedures. This is by no means an exhaustive list of procedures that fall under the umbrella of interventional. To learn more about interventional radiology programs, we are currently featuring Sanford Brown Institute, which has a highly acclaimed vascular technology program. To learn more, check out the Sanford Brown page or you can search through out complete directory of radiology schools.

Find Radiology Schools

Radiology Programs:

Concorde

Get your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.

Programs offered:

get info

Sanford-Brown College

Get the skills you need in Tech, Business, or Healthcare in as little as 9 months from Sanford-Brown College. Choose from convenient day, evening, and weekend classes. Learn more today.

Programs offered:

get info

Keiser University Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs offered:

get info

Kaplan College - KHE

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs offered:

get info

Fortis Institute

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs offered:

get info

St. Joseph's College of Maine

Many adult learners are enrolled in courses worldwide and are active in distance learning courses at Saint Joseph's College and are in enrolled in programs such as business, education, health care administration, general studies, nursing, and theology.

Programs offered:

get info

Lincoln Technical Institute

Lincoln Technical Institute provides career-focused, hands-on training programs with industry experienced instructors. Get the skills for a rewarding in-demand career.

For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo

Programs offered:

get info

Anthem College

Get the hands-on training you need to enter the exciting health care or criminal justice fields at Anthem College. Learn from our outstanding professional faculty in a hands-on, real-world environment. We offer financial aid for those who qualify, outstanding student services, placement assistance for graduates, and more.

Programs offered:

get info

Carrington College

Carrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.

Programs offered:

get info

MedVance Institute

Advance your health care career with MedVance Institute. We offer programs in various areas of the health care field and students can graduate in as little as a year.

 

"For consumer information: http://www.medvanceedu.info/"

Programs offered:

get info

Argosy University

At Argosy University we prepare individuals for careers that make a difference, whether in business, education, or psychology. Learn how you can make a difference in your life, and the lives of others.

Programs offered:

get info

California College San Diego

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs offered:

get info

American Institute - Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Advance your career with American Institute - Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Our program can be completed in as little as 16 months. We offer program specializations in general or cardiac sonography, both of which include vascular ultrasound training.

Programs offered:

get info

Sanford-Brown Institute

Get everything you need for the medical career you want. Sanford-Brown Institute's advanced programs allow you to complete your certificate or degree program in as little as 9 months. Learn more today.

Programs offered:

get info

University of Phoenix

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs offered:

get info