Fetal intervention: Less developed field of interventional radiology

Abstract

Interventional radiology (IR) has played an essential role in diagnosing and treating various intra natal entities with minimally invasive surgical procedures. IR treatment is the substitute to the many procedures in which once open surgery was needed. IR procedure can be performed under Digital Radiography (x-ray), Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT). IR has proved to increase effectiveness as medical imaging technology gives radiologists high visibility, reduces risk as surgery performed are minimally invasive, saves time as there is a short hospital stay, and reduces the pain as procedures are performed with a small incision. Because of quicker recovery time, patients can get back to their daily routine early. Progressive development of prenatal intervention and surgeries was possible due to rapid advances in imaging techniques and prenatal diagnosis over the last few decades. Rapid advanced techniques have become an integral part of managing high-risk pregnancies. In addition to this, the rapidly growing capability of digital optics and miniaturized instrumentation has now allowed fetoscopic procedures to become a reality. With improved imaging techniques, the identification of congenital defects and fetal malformations increases during the antenatal period. Understanding how to treat specific fetal conditions improves outcomes from these treatment modalities. We provide an assessment that begins with a crisp background of fetal surgery, including the history, ethics surrounding fetal surgery, and considerations of dealing with the problems during the fetal intervention.