What is image guided treatment?

 

Doctors have found that if you can limit the extent of open surgery, the chances for faster, easier recovery increases.

 

Using advanced imaging techniques, an interventional radiologist can perform intricate procedures by making only the slightest incision. He can treat certain problems that might otherwise have required open surgery. 

 

This less-invasive approach may ultimately translate to shorter hospital stays.

 

What’s interventional radiology (IR)?
Interventional radiology is the clinical subspecialty that uses fluoroscopy (live X-ray), CT, and ultrasound to guide percutaneous (under the skin) procedures such as performing biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels.

 

But what does this mean to you? 

 

Getting the word out
“Interventional radiology has never really been a field that promoted itself,” says Dr. John Racadio, Chief of Interventional Radiology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), “people just don’t know anything about it.”

 

Dr. Racadio  has been a pioneer in the development of interventional radiology (IR) for pediatric applications. He describes it like this, “I tell my patients interventional radiology is minimally-invasive, image guided treatment. We have the ability to collect, interpret and understand images of your body. We use that ability to perform image guided minimally-invasive procedures.”

 

The benefits of IR
Take for example a ruptured appendicitis abscess. This is a rather common result of a ruptured appendix infecting the tissue around it. “20 years ago they would have gone in surgically and found a mess,” explains Dr. Racadio. “The tissue would be inflamed and stuck together, making surgery quite difficult and recovery long and often painful.”

 

He continues, “Today, using image guidance, we make an incision smaller than a pencil eraser and thread a catheter right to the abscess. We drain the pus and place an intravenous line to deliver antibiotics. Once the inflammation is cleared up, the patient undergoes an ‘interval appendectomy’ – and a small incision is all that’s needed to remove the appendix. Recovery is faster and easier.”

 

 

What’s interventional X-ray? Learn more about the technology behind 'open-surgery' alternatives.   + Interventional X-ray Exam guide

 

Technical improvements make a difference
Recent advancements in imaging technology are fueling the increase in image-guided procedures. The more clearly you can see into the body, the more confidently you can accomplish your work.

 

Two notable imaging technologies are CT and X-ray.

 

CAT scans or CT (computed tomography) can produce three-dimensional images of internal organs. X-ray fluoroscopy is used to see real-time images of blood vessels. At Philips, we’ve found a way to combine the strengths of both in our latest X-ray angio system. CT-like anatomical images can now be overlaid directly onto the live X-ray images.

 

“Having the 3D spatial understanding of CT with the live dynamic capabilities of X-ray, fluoroscopy is really the best of both worlds,” says Dr. Racadio.

 

Working closely with surgeons
Although surgeons can be quite protective about their work, the staff at CCHMC has come to understand that working together with interventional radiologists benefits everyone. “There’s a realization here that combining our skill sets is the best way to treat patients and by doing so we’re improving patient care,” says Dr. Racadio.

 

To that end, CCHMC has moved their interventional suites from the first floor to the third in order to be right next to the operating rooms, anesthesia and intensive care.  This way, surgeons and radiologists can work seamlessly along side each other to deliver treatment.

 

Dr. Racadio believes this decision is sound. “I really think this type of combined surgical/interventional procedure is our future."

 

Who is best served as a result of such collaborative efforts?  No doubt - you the patient.

 

- July 2007

 

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