Division of Interventional Radiology inaugurated at Kasturba Hospital

Manipal, Dec 02, 2021: Division of Interventional Radiology was inaugurated at Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal today.

“Interventional radiology is a medical sub-specialty of radiology utilizing minimally-invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system. The main benefits of interventional radiology techniques are that they can reach the deep structures of the body through a body orifice or tiny incision using small needles and wires,” Dr H S Ballal, Pro-chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education told in his inaugural address.

Dr. Prakashini, head of the Department of Radiology in her overview said that the Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures has evolved as an alternate treatment to surgeries.

“It avoids blood loss, open surgeries, postoperative complications, and reduced morbidity. They involve only a needle puncture. Cerebral strokes can be treated with thrombolysis which results in complete recovery of the patient. Cerebral hemorrhage due to an aneurysm can be treated through coiling thus avoiding complex surgeries,” Dr. Prakashini said.

The latest state-of-the-art treatment in cancers, wherein the medication is directly delivered to the tumor through arteries thereby avoiding systemic side effects and improving the efficacy of the treatment. Varicose veins can be treated without surgeries wherein the dilated veins are ablated under image guidance. There is zero blood loss and no need for hospitalization. Uterine artery embolization is a uterus saving procedure wherein the large fibroid can be treated by embolising the feeding arteries which results in their shrinking.

“Life-saving embolization procedures in cases of internal organ and post-partum hemorrhage are performed. We perform many more advanced procedures which are extremely beneficial to the patients. We have set up a division of Interventional radiology in the department of radiology with experienced consultants, who are the best in the field of interventions,” she added.

C G Muthana, Chief Operating Officer and Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Dr. Anand Venugopal, Medical Superintendent, and Saghir Siddiqe Regional COO, KMC Mangalore, Dr. Keeethiraj, Consultant, Interventional Radiology, Dr. Prakashini, Professor and Head Department of Radiology and Imaging were present.