Basics of Abdominal Interventions: What General Radiologists Should Know

Abdominal interventional radiology procedures are a set of minimally invasive techniques deployed to diagnose, treat or otherwise manage diseases and disorders of the abdomen or digestive system. These procedures typically involve the use of thin needles or catheters that are guided into the area of interest using real-time imaging guidance providedbyx-ray, ultrasound, or other imaging techniques. Common procedures include abscess drainage, biopsy, angioplasty, stent placement, and embolization among others. These procedures are safe, effective, and often require little to no hospitalization or recovery time. As such, abdominal interventional radiology is rapidly evolving and charting a promising path towards improving patient care and outcomes.