Interventional radiology: current applications, clinical impact, and future directions

Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly evolving medical specialty that utilizes image-guided, minimally invasive techniques for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.By offering practical alternatives to conventional surgical procedures, IR significantly reduces patient morbidity, shortens hospital stay, and improves recovery times.Advances in imaging technology, materials science, and procedural techniques have expanded the scope of interventional radiology across vascular, non-vascular, and oncologic applications.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development, fundamental principles, major clinical applications, safety considerations, and future perspectives of interventional radiology.