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In This Section
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Image-Guided Needle Biopsy
In many cases, tissue samples can be obtained without open surgery by utilizing interventional radiology techniques. Nearly all biopsies performed by interventional radiologists are “image guided needle biopsies.” This means that a needle is placed into an area of abnormality directly through the skin. The needle placement is confirmed with the use of a variety of equipment used by the radiologists including ultrasound (used most often), CT or X-ray fluoroscopy. Needle biopsies are almost always performed as an outpatient with a short (one hour) observation period after.
Percutaneous Drainage
Paracentesis and Thoracentesis
Patients with a variety of illnesses may develop an area of persistent infection (abscess) in the body. The infection can be drained by inserting a thin tube (catheter) through a small nick in the skin and then to the site of the infection. Abnormal fluid that is not infected can build up in the space around the lungs or in the belly cavity (peritoneal cavity). In an effort to determine the cause of the fluid build-up or to relieve the symptoms of the excess fluid, interventional radiologists insert a small tube (less than 1/12 of an inch in diameter) through the skin after numbing the skin with a local anesthetic. The fluid can be sent to the laboratory for analysis. The patient experiences immediate relief of most of the symptoms and is released home after a short (one hour or less) observation period.
Vascular Access Procedures
Placement of Infusion Ports
A vascular access procedure is designed for patients who need intravenous (IV) access for a considerable time, longer than 7 to 10 days. A simple IV set-up is effective in the short term, but is far from ideal when, for instance, a patient needs a course of chemotherapy, several weeks of IV antibiotic treatment, or long-term IV feeding. A vascular access catheter is a long, thin tube that is placed in a branch vein in the arm, in the neck, or just beneath the collarbone. The tube is then threaded into a major vein in the chest. In many conditions, having this type of tube inserted provides a simple and painless means of drawing blood or delivering drugs, nutrients or both. In this way, the patient is spared the discomfort and stress of repeated needle sticks. These so-called central catheters can remain in place for several weeks or even months.
