Interventional Radiology
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Overview
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a specialty that uses imaging — ultrasound, X-ray, CT— to guide minimally invasive procedures. Things that once needed open surgery can often now be done through a small puncture in the skin, with shorter hospital stays, less pain, and faster recovery. IR procedures cross many specialties — they support cancer care, urology, gastroenterology, vascular medicine, and more. At St. Stephen’s Hospital, our IR team works closely with the relevant clinical departments to deliver the right
procedure to the right patient.
What is this test?
An interventional radiologist uses live imaging to see inside the body while guiding instruments — catheters, needles, wires — through a small puncture. The procedure is watched on screen in real time, allowing precise targeting of the structure of interest.
Because the approach is through small punctures rather than open surgical incisions, recovery is generally faster, the risk of infection is lower, and many procedures can be done as day-cases.
Why your doctor may order it
- Image-guided biopsies (liver, kidney, lung, lymph nodes, masses)
- Drainage of abscesses, fluid collections, and bile duct obstructions
- Vascular procedures — angioplasty, stenting of narrowed arteries (other than coronary)
- Treatment of bleeding (embolisation) — for trauma, GI bleeding.
How long does it take?
It depends on the procedure. A simple image-guided biopsy may take 30 to 45 minutes. Most are day-case; some require an overnight stay.
How to prepare
- Fasting is usually required — 4 to 8 hours depending on the procedure and anaesthesia.
- Tell us about all medications, especially blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban). Some need to be paused.
- Tell us about contrast dye allergies, kidney problems, asthma, and thyroid disease.
- Inform us if you might be pregnant.
- Bring your prescription, ID, all relevant scans and reports, and a list of medications.
- Arrange someone to accompany you and drive you home.
- Recent blood tests (including coagulation profile and kidney function) are usually required — your team will arrange these in advance.
What to expect during the test
You will be positioned for the procedure, monitored continuously, and given the appropriate level of anaesthesia. The puncture site is cleaned and a small cut is made — usually just a few millimetres.
Under live imaging, the radiologist guides the catheter or needle to the target. The intervention itself — the drainage, biopsy, or other treatment — is then carried out. Most procedures are well-tolerated. You may feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain. The team will keep you informed throughout. At the end, the puncture site is closed with a small dressing or closure device.
After the test
- You will be monitored in recovery for 1 to 6 hours depending on the procedure.
- Most patients can go home the same day. Some need overnight observation.
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 2 to 7 days, depending on the procedure.
- Keep the puncture site clean and dry as advised.
- Watch for warning signs and contact us immediately if you have: heavy bleeding, a new swelling, severe pain, fever, weakness in the limb, or breathing difficulty.
- A follow-up appointment is usually arranged to review the result and plan next steps.
Do's and Don'ts
- Follow fasting and medication instructions exactly.
- Arrange someone to accompany you and take you home.
- Rest as recommended after the procedure.
- Take prescribed medications, including any antibiotics or pain relief.
- Attend the follow-up appointment.
- Don't continue blood thinners unless your doctor has confirmed it is safe.
- Don't drive yourself home after sedation.
- Don't lift heavy weights or exercise vigorously for the period advised.
- Don't ignore worsening pain, bleeding, or fever after the procedure.
- Don't get the puncture site wet or pull at the dressing.
Understanding your results
Outcomes depend on the procedure. Most IR procedures have high technical success rates and short recovery times compared with open surgery. The interventional radiologist and your treating doctor will discuss the result and the next steps. Others (such as drainage of an abscess) have immediate clinical effect that you and your doctor will both see.
Frequently asked questions
It is best understood as image-guided minimally invasive procedure. It avoids large surgical incisions and is usually done through small punctures. For many conditions that once needed surgery, IR is now the first choice.
For many indications, yes — particularly because the approach avoids large incisions and general anaesthesia is often not needed. Each procedure has its own risk profile, which we discuss with you in detail beforehand.
Most IR procedures are done under local anaesthesia, often with light sedation. You are awake but comfortable. Some procedures need general anaesthesia — your team will tell you in advance.
Much shorter than open surgery for the same indication. Many IR procedures allow home discharge the same day, with normal activity resumed within a week. Your team will give you a procedure-specific timeline.
No — IR requires specialised equipment, training, and a multidisciplinary team. We are equipped for a wide range of IR procedures and will refer to a specialist centre for the vascularprocedures we do not offer.