Less invasive, with better outcomes. Interventional procedures have less risk, less pain, and shorter recovery time in comparison to theatre surgery. The concept is to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques. Under constant imaging, the radiologist is able to track his or her every move and carefully perform the entire procedure with direct visualisation. As a team, the radiologist and radiographer ensure the patient is best cared for with the use of constantly improving diagnostic equipment.

A radiologist interprets images to determine how the body is functioning, looking for issues that other specialists may not be able to see. An interventional radiologist has undertaken further training, giving them the ability to perform minimally invasive procedures, treating the issues found via imaging.

It started with Charles Theodore Dotter. His goal was to treat patients without the scalpel, lowering morbidity and mortality. The first patient was Laura Shaw, an 82 year old woman admitted to The University of Oregon Hospital with pain in her left foot. The foot had a non-healing ulcer and gangrenous toes – all doctors had recommended amputation, which Shaw had refused.
She was referred to Dotter who theorised percutaneous dilating catheters. The procedure went well and within minutes, Shaw’s foot was warm with restored blood flow. Her pain disappeared within the week and her ulcer quickly healed. Thanks to Dotter, our Interventional Radiologists are now able to perform less invasive procedures, such as angioplasty, to save our patients from intrusive procedures like amputation.