Interventional radiology is a field of radiology that deals with delivering therapies using radiological methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or CT scans. The radiologist is a doctor that is trained in the use of these methods. The radiologist uses both the clinical condition of the patient and information from radiological tests to pin point the site of the disease. Using the radiological methods, they are able to guide either an injection or other device into the site of disease that has been identified to help treat the condition.
In the setting of chronic pain an interventional radiologist will review the images of the relevant body part and identify the site of the pain. Once identified, using radiological means an injection can be given to relieve pain.
In the setting of varicose leg veins, the interventional radiologist uses ultrasound vein scans to identify the underlying cause of the varicose veins and map these varicose veins. Using ultrasound guidance, these superficial varicose leg veins can be closed up helping to make the varicose leg veins less conspicuous and improve the return of blood from the legs back to the heart.
