INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY: AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL SURGERY IN VARIOUS CLINICAL SCENARIOS

Abstract

Interventional radiology (IR) has established itself as a minimally invasive therapeutic alternative to conventional surgery in various clinical scenarios. Based on the use of imaging methods such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound and computed tomography, IR allows the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with high precision, less tissue damage and a significant reduction in morbidity. Its applications cover areas such as vascular diseases, oncology, urology, gastroenterology, hepatology and women's health, highlighting techniques such as angioplasties, embolizations, tumor ablations and percutaneous drainage. Compared to conventional surgery, interventional radiology offers advantages such as shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, lower rate of complications and the possibility of being performed under local anesthesia or sedation. However, it is not without risks and limitations, requiring adequate patient selection, specialized infrastructure and multidisciplinary action. It is concluded that interventional radiology represents a relevant advance in modern medicine, and must be integrated in a careful and ethical way into clinical care, as a complement or alternative to traditional surgery, always guided by the best scientific evidence and the benefit to the patient.