Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2001 Imaging guided thoracic interventionsDept of Medical Imaging, University Hospital Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium CORRESPONDENCE: B. Ghaye, Dept of Medical Imaging, University Hospital Sart Tilman B 35, B-4000 Liège, Belgium. Fax: 32 43667772 Keywords: arteries, interventional radiology, stents, therapeutic blockade, thorax, transthoracic biopsy
Received: October 10, 2000 Abstract
Interventional Radiology is a technique based medical specialty, using all available imaging modalities (fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, angiography) for guidance of interventional techniques for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Actual, percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy includes core needle biopsy besides fine needle aspiration. Any pleural, pulmonary or mediastinal fluid or gas collection is amenable to percutaneous pulmonary catheter drainage.
Treatment of haemoptysis of the bronchial artery or pulmonary artery origin, transcatheter embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and pseudoaneurysms, angioplasty and stenting of the superior vena caval system and percutaneous foreign body retrieval are well established routine procedures, precluding unnecessary surgery. These techniques are safe and effective in experienced hands.
Computed tomography is helpful in pre- and postoperative imaging of patients being considered for endobronchial stenting. Many procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, thus increasing the cost-effectiveness of radiologically guided interventions in the thorax.
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