Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty focused on direct patient care through minimally invasive, image-guided procedures (MIIPS). Historically, IR was a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology (DR), but since 2012 has been recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties as a primary specialty, and in the last several years has gained its own integrated residency program. As a result, graduating medical students may now enter directly into a 6-year training program to be dual-boarded in diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Interventional radiologists use medical imaging, predominately fluoroscopy (low dose x-ray video), CT, and ultrasound, to percutaneously treat many diseases. Fluoroscopy can be used to perform catheter-based therapies, including directed arterial chemoembolization of tumors, embolization of internal bleeding, navigation and drainage of the biliary system, as well as angioplasty and stenting of practically any blood vessel in the body, including dialysis fistulas. Interventional radiologists are experts with simple central venous access (transjugular catheters and ports) as well as complex venous access for patients whose options are limited (including translumbar puncture of the IVC), and play a crucial role in IVC filter placement and retrieval for patients with contraindications to anticoagulation. CT- and ultrasound-guided procedures include abscess aspiration and drain placement, percutaneous biopsies, and ablation of soft and skeletal tumors. These are several examples of the wonderful breadth of patient care practiced by the IR section here at Vanderbilt.

In some settings, IRs are also treating peripheral arterial disease and aortic aneurysms or dissections. Neurointerventional radiology is a separate but related field, and some IRs will pursue additional training in that area. Recovery time for most IR procedures is usually very quick and procedures are predominately done on an outpatient basis, but IR also helps other services in treating hospitalized patients who may be critically ill.

If you are interested in a procedurally oriented field with the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases and benefit many patients, and you enjoy cutting-edge technology and innovation, IR is a great career to consider! There are several ways to get into an IR training program. There are now more than 60 Integrated IR residencies in the country, which entail a 1 year internship followed by 5 years of residency (3 DR + 2 IR) for a total of 6 years. Alternatively, you can complete a DR residency (internship + 4 years) and then match into an IR “Independent” residency (formerly known IR fellowshipof 1-2 years (for a total of 6-7 years), depending on the requisites completed in DR residency. The options are somewhat confusing but are summarized on this page. http://rfs.sirweb.org/residencyfaqs/

If you want to learn more about the field, please reach out to the interest group leaders, Jacob and James (emails below). Our interest group has a very close working relationship with each of the IR faculty and we plan to host several fun hands-on sessions in the spring.