Every year on Nov. 8, we celebrate International Day of Radiology.
This year, on the 127th anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s discovery of the X-ray, we would like to tell you about Interventional Radiology.
The genesis of interventional radiology can be credited to Charles Dotter, a pioneer vascular radiologist who first discussed the idea of interventional radiology in 1963 (1). He suggested that an innovative approach to the use of an angiographic catheter could have important therapeutic implications. The last few decades have witnessed exponential growth in the field of interventional radiology and medical devices, including the development of diagnostic imaging techniques, embolization and tumor ablation techniques and arterial stents and grafts, etc.
Fujifilm has introduced various dedicated modalities and minimally invasive technological tools over the years to facilitate the fast and stress-free image-guided treatment of medical conditions.
- One such technique is ultrasound-based technique that finds wide application in determining tissue stiffness resulting from disease, while avoiding complex procedures like biopsy or MRI. It is used for the diagnosis of chronic liver diseases, such as NAFLD, NASH, fibrosis, cirrhosis or hepatitis, etc. It has been shown to assess liver stiffness accurately and provides quantitative, reproducible data, enabling the accurate identification of the level of fibrosis.
- Fusion Imaging (RVS), another interventional technique at the disposal of an interventional radiologist, facilitates the real-time comparison of a combination of existing CT, MRI, PET-CT with ultrasound images. Based on a recently published white paper by A. Beleu, D’Onofrio from the Department of Radiology at the University Hospital of Verona, Italy, and M. Loborgo from FUJIFILM Healthcare Italia, US fusion imaging is a major step forward in the field of US-guided interventional procedures. It enhances the precision of US-guided interventions and operator confidence while maintaining patient safety. Thus, this technique can be used to perform procedures which are otherwise difficult to perform due to visibility issues and while preserving delicate surrounding structures.
- In MRI, open scanners offer easy patient access which is highly recognized in interventional radiology. Procedures can be more easily done with open MRI scanners than with a conventional MRI scanner. For pain therapy and biopsies, minimally invasive procedures under MRI guidance are ideal. Patients with spinal disc prolapses, back and neck pain or arthritis, as well as puncture of haematomas following sports injuries are good examples. Pain treatment can be delivered in a targeted manner, directly at the site of the inflammation, which results in effective and focused pain relief. MRI is seen as one of the most sensitive techniques for the detection of the smallest lesions or for identifying the earliest stages of breast or prostate cancer. MRI guided biopsies can therefore be a routine procedure in open MRI scanners.
As you have seen, there are more and more radiology-related technologies to support our healthcare professionals in their work.
We at Fujifilm are trying to do our part with our NEVER STOP attitude and our aim to help improve the quality of life for people around the world.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating radiology and its essential role in treating patients.
References:
- Payne MM. Charles Theodore Dotter. The father of intervention. Tex Heart Inst J. 2001;28(1):28-38.