Applications for interventional radiology gain momentum to minimise invasive procedures
Non-surgical procedures using interventional imaging systems to shrink an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia are gaining momentum, according to Canon Medical Systems. Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is being requested by patients due to reduced complications, while NHS hospitals are taking the opportunities of freeing up beds, lowering cost per treatment and per patient stay.
“Many hospitals have protocolised same day, minimally invasive PAE using interventional radiology (IR) to enable patients to get back to their normal lives quicker,” the company says. The continued innovation in IR is helping to evolve traditional surgical options by providing alternatives that are less invasive and speed up procedural and recovery times for patients. Across the clinical specialities there are IR solutions designed to provide support in the cath lab, hybrid suite or operating room. “Floor and ceiling mounted C-arms support complex interventional procedures with an unprecedented range of patient access and full body coverage,” Canon continues.
Built-in planning tools allow for quick and intuitive analysis prior to procedures and enable navigation with confidence and accuracy. For example, 3D volume data functionality helps select a tumour and define corresponding feeding vessels with information overlaid to be viewed live during fluoroscopy of the procedure. Visualisation of contrast media helps correspond to arterial, venal and capillary blood flow providing insight in identification of hepatic tumour feeding vessels. Noise reduction technology provides more defined images during stent placement, embolisation or ablation procedures at the same time as minimising dose. Dose management tools are also key in modern IR. Advanced hardware reduces patient dose and scatter radiation, offering greater protection for patients and staff. Real-time software tools help further eliminate unnecessary exposure.
Canon Medical Systems UK imaging systems business manager CT/MR/VL/XR/HIT Dan Parr explained: “Our leading IR systems feature a unique dose tracking system that tracks x-ray beam movement and provides real-time feedback on skin dose information, mapping it visually as a simple, colour-coded visual on the system interface. This advanced warning system gives quick and easy-to-see alerts to operators to adjust C-arm angulation, frame rate settings and collimation to reduce skin dose. This is especially useful to operators undertaking long procedures to avoid regions where dose thresholds have been exceeded. Evaluations suggest the potential for a 50 per cent dose reduction to patients when compared to replaced systems and UK National Diagnostic Reference Levels. The opportunity for IR to support surgical teams and broaden the range of patient services that can be undertaken more minimally is really exciting.”
Lead picture: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester has protocolised same day, minimally invasive PAE using IR.
Published on page 10 of the September 2023 issue of RAD Magazine.