Interventional Radiology-Operated Endoscopy: Indications, Implementation, and Innovation

Interventional radiologists perform a variety of image-guided procedures utilizing a variety of tools to create minimally invasive access into the biliary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems, as well as other structures. Endoscopy has been utilized by other specialists, namely gastroenterology and urology, to treat similar pathologies, but interventional radiology-operated endoscopy has only been implemented at a few academic centers to date.

The learning curve for an interventional radiologist to become proficient at endoscopic interventions is tempered by the technical dexterity and hand–eye coordination already required for other image-guided procedures. Moreover, the relative safety of endoscopy evidenced by the routine performance of laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and cystoscopy at the bedside or in outpatient clinics supports its implementation by interventional radiologists.

This article discusses the application of interventional radiology-operated endoscopy in the biliary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Schematic illustration demonstrating various interventional radiology-operated endoscopic procedures. A sheath and endoscope are positioned within the gallbladder (a), kidney (b), stomach (c), and small bowel (d) for direct visualization.

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