1
Seminars in Roentgenology VOL 37, NO 4 OCTOBER 2002 Letter From the Editor: Welcome to the Amazing World of Interventional Radiology T HE PURVIEW of the interventional radiolo- gist is continually expanding. Although my participation in this arena is limited to the diagno- sis of breast diseases, I thought I understood the changing direction of the organization now called SIR (Society of Interventional Radiology). But Dr Kaufman, an eminent interventional radiologist and Guest Editor of this issue, has brought together authors who have opened my eyes to a whole array of procedures that are being performed by our colleagues in interventional radiology. As you read this issue, you will learn about the contributions that our specialty makes to treating spinal com- pression fractures, acute ischemic stroke, renal arterial stenosis, complications of end-stage liver disease, hepatic neoplasm, and varicose veins. You will also read about the techniques that are used by interventional radiologists to gain central venous access. The latter reminds me of something I often heard as a resident rotating through vascular and interventional radiology: "Anyone can do the easy ones." Interventional radiologists are often called on when others have tried and failed, and I found it amazing that my teachers could place a catheter so easily when it seemed like a futile task. But interventional radiologists have not cor- nered the market. There are other specialties ready and willing to perform these procedures, and the turf battles have started to heat up. The area that caught my interest the most from among this series of notable chapters is that of endoluminal therapy for lower-extremity varicosities. I had no idea that my colleagues were performing this procedure. Out of curiosity, I did a little investigating on the Internet to find out what information was available to patients regarding the cause and treatment op- tions for varicose veins and where they could go for treatment. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved. 0037-198X/02/3704-0001535.00/0 doi: l O.l O53/sroe.2002.37133 The search engine google.com, under the listing of varicose veins, led me to several sites. My attention was drawn to VEINSonline.com, which is advertised as "the world's largest Internet-based organization of doctors who seek to help the general public learn about varicose vein and spider vein problems and treatment." VEINSonline mem- bers include full-time vein specialists (phlebolo- gists), general surgeons, vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, internists, and family practitioners, all of whom have a special interest in vein disease and its treatment. The site led me to the names of doctors in my area who offer this treatment, and none of those listed were radiolo- gists. I then went to the SIR Web site (http://www.sc- vir.org) where I was also able to find the names of doctors who provide treatment for varicose veins. Dr Neil Khilnani, who coauthored the chapter that intrigued me so much, is on this list. In fact, there were 25 names listed, but none were from my area. I wonder where patients in my area go? From the SIR Web site, I was linked to an electronic video of the medial reports segment from ABC 7 News, dated June 5, 2002 (http://www.wjla.com/news/ showstory.hrb?f=n&s=44674&fl=hea). This amaz- ing short video clip featured interventional radiol- ogists Keith Sterling and Kenneth Moresco performing endovenous ablation. The before and after pictures are astounding, as is the concluding image showing that "the patient leaves with a band-aid." Every day countless patients benefit from the treatment provided by interventional radiologists. Interventional radiologists are and will continue to be major contributors to the future and advance- ment of radiology. Read the chapters in this issue, and I think you will agree with me. Jannette Collins, MD, MEd, FCCP Editor Seminars in Roentgenology, Vol 37, No 4 (October), 2002: p 253 253

Letter from the editor: Welcome to the amazing world of interventional radiology

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Seminars in Roentgenology

VOL 37, NO 4 OCTOBER 2002

Letter From the Editor: Welcome to the Amazing World of Interventional Radiology

T HE PURVIEW of the interventional radiolo- gist is continually expanding. Although my

participation in this arena is limited to the diagno- sis of breast diseases, I thought I understood the changing direction of the organization now called SIR (Society of Interventional Radiology). But Dr Kaufman, an eminent interventional radiologist and Guest Editor of this issue, has brought together authors who have opened my eyes to a whole array of procedures that are being performed by our colleagues in interventional radiology. As you read this issue, you will learn about the contributions that our specialty makes to treating spinal com- pression fractures, acute ischemic stroke, renal arterial stenosis, complications of end-stage liver disease, hepatic neoplasm, and varicose veins. You will also read about the techniques that are used by interventional radiologists to gain central venous access. The latter reminds me of something I often heard as a resident rotating through vascular and interventional radiology: "Anyone can do the easy ones." Interventional radiologists are often called on when others have tried and failed, and I found it amazing that my teachers could place a catheter so easily when it seemed like a futile task.

But interventional radiologists have not cor- nered the market. There are other specialties ready and willing to perform these procedures, and the turf battles have started to heat up. The area that caught my interest the most from among this series of notable chapters is that of endoluminal therapy for lower-extremity varicosities. I had no idea that my colleagues were performing this procedure. Out of curiosity, I did a little investigating on the Internet to find out what information was available to patients regarding the cause and treatment op- tions for varicose veins and where they could go for treatment.

Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved. 0037-198X/02/3704-0001535.00/0 doi: l O.l O53/sroe.2002.37133

The search engine google.com, under the listing of varicose veins, led me to several sites. My attention was drawn to VEINSonline.com, which is advertised as "the world's largest Internet-based organization of doctors who seek to help the general public learn about varicose vein and spider vein problems and treatment." VEINSonline mem- bers include full-time vein specialists (phlebolo- gists), general surgeons, vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, internists, and family practitioners, all of whom have a special interest in vein disease and its treatment. The site led me to the names of doctors in my area who offer this treatment, and none of those listed were radiolo- gists.

I then went to the SIR Web site (http://www.sc- vir.org) where I was also able to find the names of doctors who provide treatment for varicose veins. Dr Neil Khilnani, who coauthored the chapter that intrigued me so much, is on this list. In fact, there were 25 names listed, but none were from my area. I wonder where patients in my area go? From the SIR Web site, I was linked to an electronic video of the medial reports segment from ABC 7 News, dated June 5, 2002 (http://www.wjla.com/news/ showstory.hrb?f=n&s=44674&fl=hea). This amaz- ing short video clip featured interventional radiol- ogists Keith Sterling and Kenneth Moresco performing endovenous ablation. The before and after pictures are astounding, as is the concluding image showing that "the patient leaves with a band-aid."

Every day countless patients benefit from the treatment provided by interventional radiologists. Interventional radiologists are and will continue to be major contributors to the future and advance- ment of radiology. Read the chapters in this issue, and I think you will agree with me.

Jannette Collins, MD, MEd, FCCP Editor

Seminars in Roentgenology, Vol 37, No 4 (October), 2002: p 253 253