What Is Interventional Radiology and Which Conditions Can It Treat?

What is interventional radiology and how does it work?

Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical speciality that uses image guidance — such as X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound — to perform minimally invasive procedures inside the body through small incisions or natural openings. Instead of open surgery, a specialist navigates thin catheters, wires, or needles to the target site, guided in real time by imaging.

Lilavati International in Bandra West, Mumbai, offers interventional radiology services supported by round-the-clock access to CT, MRI, and ultrasound imaging, alongside specialist support across cardiology, interventional radiology, and related disciplines. The hospital holds JCI and NABH accreditation, providing a clinically governed environment for IR procedures.

Key imaging tools used in IR include:

• Fluoroscopy (live X-ray)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound

What conditions are treated by interventional radiology?

Interventional radiology can treat conditions across multiple organ systems, often as an alternative or complement to open surgery. The following categories represent the most common areas of application:

This breadth makes interventional radiology one of the most versatile specialities in modern medicine, applicable across cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, and neurology.

What are the most common interventional radiology procedures?

The most common procedure in interventional radiology is angioplasty — the widening of a narrowed or blocked blood vessel using a balloon catheter, often combined with stent placement. Other frequently performed IR procedures include:

1. Angioplasty and stenting — restores blood flow in narrowed arteries, commonly used in peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease.
2. Embolisation — deliberately blocks blood supply to a target area, used to shrink tumours, stop bleeding, or treat fibroids and aneurysms.
3. Image-guided biopsy — a needle is directed to a suspicious tissue mass using CT or ultrasound, avoiding the need for open surgical biopsy.
4. Thrombolysis — dissolves blood clots in veins or arteries using medication delivered directly through a catheter.
5. Tumour ablation — destroys tumour tissue using heat (radiofrequency or microwave ablation) or cold (cryoablation), guided by imaging.
6. Drainage procedures — places catheters to drain fluid collections, abscesses, or obstructed bile ducts.
7. Vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty — stabilises vertebral compression fractures by injecting bone cement under image guidance.

For more detail on specific procedures such as angioplasty or embolisation, use the booking form on this page or speak with a specialist directly.

Is interventional radiology better than surgery, and how are they different?

Interventional radiology and surgery are not always interchangeable — the right approach depends on the condition, its severity, and the patient's overall health. However, for many conditions, IR offers a clinically comparable outcome with a less invasive approach.

How risky is interventional radiology and how long does recovery take?

Interventional radiology procedures carry a lower overall risk profile than open surgery for most indications, but they are not without risk. The specific risk level depends on the procedure type, the organ system involved, and the patient's baseline health.

Common risks across IR procedures include:

• Bruising or minor bleeding at the puncture site
• Infection at the access site
• Allergic reaction to contrast dye (used in imaging guidance)
• Damage to adjacent blood vessels or structures (rare)
• Radiation exposure from fluoroscopy (minimised by technique)

Recovery timelines vary by procedure:

• Image-guided biopsy: Most patients resume normal activity within 24–48 hours.
• Angioplasty / stenting: Light activity typically resumes within a few days; full recovery within 1–2 weeks.
• Embolisation (e.g. uterine fibroid): Most patients return to routine activities within 1–2 weeks.
• Tumour ablation: Recovery varies by tumour size and location; typically 1–3 weeks.
• Vertebroplasty: Many patients experience pain relief within days and resume mobility shortly after.

Your interventional radiology specialist will provide a personalised recovery plan based on your procedure and overall health status.

When should you see an interventional radiologist?

Seek a consultation with an interventional radiologist if you or your referring doctor are considering a minimally invasive alternative to surgery, or if you have been diagnosed with one of the conditions listed below and want to explore non-surgical treatment options.

Consult an IR specialist if you experience or have been diagnosed with:

• Leg pain, cramping, or non-healing wounds suggesting peripheral artery disease
• A liver, kidney, or lung mass requiring biopsy or ablation
• Uterine fibroids causing heavy bleeding or pelvic pain for more than 3 months
• Bile duct obstruction causing jaundice or abdominal pain
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism not resolving with medication alone
• A vertebral fracture causing back pain that has not improved within 4–6 weeks of conservative management
• Varicose veins or pelvic congestion syndrome causing chronic discomfort
• An aneurysm identified on imaging that requires monitoring or treatment

You may be referred to interventional radiology by a cardiologist, oncologist, gynaecologist, orthopaedic surgeon, or general physician. In many cases, a direct referral is not mandatory — you can also request a consultation through the booking form on this page.

How does Lilavati International support interventional radiology patients in Mumbai?

Lilavati International in Bandra West, Mumbai provides interventional radiology services within a quaternary-care, multi-specialty hospital environment. The infrastructure supporting IR at Lilavati International includes:

• Round-the-clock access to CT, MRI, and ultrasound for real-time image guidance
• A cardiac catheterisation laboratory and multiple operation theatres
• Specialist support across interventional radiology, cardiology, neurology, and orthopaedics — enabling multidisciplinary case planning
• Advanced critical-care units (ICU, ICCU, SICU) for post-procedure monitoring when required
• Full diagnostic laboratory, blood bank, and pathology services on-site
• International patient-care support for patients travelling to Mumbai for treatment

The hospital holds JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation — 8th Edition, NABH Hospital Accreditation, and NABL Accreditation, providing independent clinical governance benchmarks for patient safety and care quality.

To discuss whether an interventional radiology procedure is appropriate for your condition, use the booking form on this page or contact the team directly.