Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by Analgesia team
IR is the medical abbreviation for Interventional Radiology, a specialty that uses medical imaging to diagnose and treat conditions affecting blood vessels and lymph vessels. IR is also known as image-guided therapy or pin-hole surgery.
What does IR do?
- Diagnoses
Uses imaging techniques like CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays to diagnose conditions
- Treats
Inserts small devices like catheters and wires to treat conditions in blood vessels and lymph vessels
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Drains fluidsUses needles and syringes to remove small amounts of fluid, or thin plastic tubes to drain larger amounts
What conditions does IR treat?
- Blood vessel conditions: Treatments for narrowed arteries, aneurysms, blood clots, and varicose veins
- Tumors: Treatments to shrink or destroy tumors, including those that have spread to other parts of the body
- Fluid buildup: Treatments to remove fluid that has built up inside the body
Why is IR important?
- IR procedures can be less risky and expensive than surgery
- It can eliminate the need for hospitalization