Interventional Radiology Techniques

Abstract

Interventional radiology covers a myriad of procedures, utilizing all imaging modalities in order to make a diagnosis, otherwise not possible with noninvasive imaging, or in order to treat disease. Pitfalls, as opposed to complications, alert the radiologist to possible misinterpretation of images, which may in turn lead to complications. Many of the pitfalls encountered in everyday practice are acknowledged by experienced operators as such and dismissed. However, to the inexperienced operator, these pitfalls may lead the untrained eye down a path significantly different to the chosen procedure. In many cases, this adds complexity to an otherwise seemingly simple procedure; in some cases, the consequences may be severe. In this chapter, we show examples of potential pitfalls in vascular intervention, nonvascular intervention, diagnostic vascular imaging, and musculoskeletal intervention. Undoubtedly, readers will unquestionably recognize many other pitfalls from their own experience, which could well have been included here. We hope these examples will outline some of the principal varieties of pitfalls that may be encountered.