Interventional Radiology Expert Witnesses
Experienced medical professionals who understand IR treatment and malpractice
Interventional radiology (abbreviated IR or VIR for Vascular and Interventional Radiology) is a sub-specialty of radiology that utilizes image-guided techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. The concept behind interventional radiology is to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques currently available to minimize risk to the patient and improve health outcomes.
Interventional radiologists are physicians with rigorous and highly specialized training. After medical school, they must complete a one-year internship in general medicine, surgery, or pediatrics, followed by a four-year residency in diagnostic radiology and a one- to two-year fellowship in interventional radiology.
Interventional radiologists can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice. Some of the conditions they treat include:
- Varicose veins, using interventional endovenous laser treatment or sclerotherapy.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) using stenting, angioplasty, or mechanical atherectomy.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, using catheter-directed thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, or stenting.
- Placing inferior vena cava (IVC) filters to prevent the migration of blood clots.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and aortic dissection.
- Acute limb ischemia or acute mesenteric ischemia.
- Aneurysms of visceral arteries.
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
- Infertility caused by blockage or narrowing of the fallopian tubes.
Interventional radiology can also be used to treat various types of cancer, including liver cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Interventional procedures can block the blood supply to tumors or directly damage cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to nearby tissue.
What is interventional radiology malpractice?
Although interventional radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures to minimize side effects, the risk of complications due to malpractice is still significant. Some examples of interventional radiology malpractice include:
- Misinterpreting or failing to correctly interpret imaging studies.
- Failing to follow proper safety protocols during procedures, such as infection control.
- Injuring adjacent structures or organs during a procedure, such as puncturing a blood vessel or causing a bowel perforation.
- Failing to communicate properly with other medical providers or patients.
The role of an interventional radiologist as an expert witness
In medical malpractice claims involving interventional radiology, a Board-Certified interventional radiologist can describe the standards of care that apply to interventional procedures and offer a professional opinion on whether that standard of care was met. They can testify about the appropriateness of specific interventional radiology procedures, as well as the risks and benefits associated with those procedures. They can also explain whether a patient’s injuries or complications were caused by malpractice or another cause.
In addition, in cases involving injuries that require interventional radiology treatment, the interventional radiologist can offer an informed opinion about the cost of treatment, potential complications and side effects, and the long-term prognosis.
Find the expert witness you need today
At Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants, we understand the complexity of medical malpractice and personal injury matters that involve interventional radiology. We also understand the urgency of getting an opinion from a doctor. For decades, we’ve been helping some of America’s finest attorneys find the right medical experts for their cases. Call or contact us online for a free case summary review.