Techniques in Interventional Radiology – serie

The Techniques in Interventional Radiology series of handbooks describes in detail the various interventional radiology procedures and therapies that are in current practice.The series comprises a number of titles, which cover procedures in angioplasty and stenting, transcatheter embolization and therapy, biopsy and drainage,  ablation, pediatric interventional radiology and neurointerventional radiology. Each book is laid out in bullet point format, so that the desired information can be located quickly and easily. Interventional radiologists at all stages, from trainees through to specialists, will find this book a valuable asset for their practice.Interventional Radiology Techniques in Ablation is a practical and concise guide to contemporary techniques in image-guided tumor ablation. This handbook is intended to serve as a quick reference for physicians in interventional radiology training as well as a resource for IR technologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Interventional radiology has seen a dramatic increase in the number of minimally invasive therapies performed.  Interventional radiology treatments now play a major role in many disease processes and continues to grow with new procedures added to the armamentarium of the interventional radiologist, almost on a yearly basis.  There are many textbooks which are disease specific, which incorporate interventional radiology techniques.  These books are important to understand the natural history, epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis of disease processes.  However, a detailed handbook that describes the technique of performing the various interventional radiology procedures is a useful addition to have in the Cath Lab, where information can be accessed easily before, during or even after a case.  This technique-specific book is primarily of benefit to those in training in general radiology and more specifically for Residents and Fellows who are training in interventional radiology and who may be taking subspeciality certificate examinations in interventional radiology.  In addition, this book will be of help to most practicing interventional radiologists, be they be in academic or private practice.  This is the kind of book that can be left in the interventional lab and will be of benefit to ancillary staff, such as technicians/radiographers or nurses who are specialising in the care of patients referred to interventional radiology.This volume on neurointervention will enhance the series by expounding on the specific techniques required when working on conditions of the head, neck and spine.

Despite the fact that Interventional Radiology is steadily moving toward a cli- cal specialty with the need for broad medical training, daily craftsmanship will always remain fundamental to what an interventional radiologist does. Without basic catheter and wire skills IR would not be what it is today. When I watch ex- rienced colleagues work I am always surprised to see that, concerning the technique and the materials, we all make the same choices. There is apparently a common IR skill, which is universal and can be learned with experience. I always see this with new IR fellows, that it takes time to step away from improvising and letting the p- cedure take the lead to logic and standardized control over a procedure. Choosing the right materials for the right job and building a level of con dence with these materials is a very important part of any IR fellowship. Why can a supervisor get a stable catheter position with a new wire in no time, whereas the fellow almost gives up? The difference is knowing your materials for this speci c indication and c- bining routine and standardized operational procedures. Hands-on workshops are always very popular at every IR meeting because one can really learn about basic skills. Lectures with the title “How I do it,” can always count on a full audience.

Lee and Watkinson's Techniques in Interventional Radiology series of handbooks describes in detail the various interventional radiology procedures and therapies that are in current practice. The series covers procedures in angioplasty and stenting, transcatheter embolization and therapy, biopsy and drainage, and ablation. Forthcoming are volumes on pediatric interventional radiology and neurointerventional radiology. Each book is laid out in bullet point format, so that the desired information can be located quickly and easily. Interventional radiologists at all stages, from trainees through to specialists, will find this book a valuable asset for their practice.Transcatheter Embolisation and Therapy approaches the procedure in two ways . Section I systematically describes the techniques of transcatheter embolization and addresses the issues surrounding embolization procedures. Section II presents specific organ systems and pathologies that undergo embolization therapy.Dr. David Kessel is a Consultant Radiologist at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, UK, and Dr. Charles Ray, Jr. is Professor of Radiology and Co-Director of Research at the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center, USA.