Do you know what an interventional radiologist does? Kirk Minkus, MD, is a physician who specializes in the field of radiology, and he has been practicing for over 15 years in the field. Radiologists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing medical conditions using images such as X-rays or MRI scans. An interventional radiologist performs procedures to diagnose or treat certain diseases.

Common Procedures Performed by Interventional Radiologists

There are many procedures that an interventional radiologist can perform, but one of the commonest is a biopsy. This procedure is used to diagnose diseases such as cancer, and it involves taking a sample of cells for study under a microscope.

An interventional radiologist might also close or reopen blood vessels during surgery. This procedure is called angioplasty, which is often performed to repair vessels that have been blocked by plaque build-up after periods of years.

An interventional radiologist might also operate on the gallbladder and other organs during surgery.

Interventional radiologists can perform many procedures on patients including biopsies, angioplasty, embolization, and many others.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical procedure in which some tissue from the body is removed and examined under a microscope to check for disease.

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is an invasive surgical procedure that involves widening narrowed or obstructed blood vessels by inflating them with balloons, metal coils, or other devices inserted through a small incision in the body.

Embolization

An embolization is a medical procedure that involves blocking off an artery or vein to stop blood flow from one part of the body to another by inserting coils, glue, fat globules, and other substances into it. This procedure can be used for many reasons including treating certain cancers.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile. It’s located below the liver and just to the right of your stomach. The main function of this little organ is storing bile, which it releases when you eat fatty food or drink alcohol in order to digest it. Gallstones are one more common cause of pain in this region.

Palpation

The most common procedure performed by an interventional radiologist is palpation, which involves the careful examination and touching of areas inside the body with hands or fingers to find out if any organs are enlarged or abnormal. This technique might be used when you have a fever because it’s important for an interventional radiologist to know if an infection is present.

Percussion

An examination of the chest through palpation and percussion, in which a physician taps on different areas with their hand or finger to give information about what organs might be affected by the disease. This technique can also help diagnose heart problems such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and more.

Auscultation

An examination of the chest through palpations and percussion in which a physician listens to sounds with a stethoscope situated on different areas inside the body. This technique can also help diagnose problems such as congestive heart failure, pneumonia, or other conditions that may be making breathing difficult.

In conclusion, an interventional radiologist is a medical professional who performs procedures to diagnose or treat certain diseases. There are many procedures that they can perform and the common ones include biopsies, angioplasty, embolization, and more. If you would like more information about what kind of radiology treatments Kirk Minkus MD, can offer, contact us at our office today.