Interventional Radiology in the Combat Environment

Abstract

The role of radiology in the combat environment has been redefined recently by the conflicts in the Middle East. The current situation of interventional radiology in the deployed setting is indeterminate. This paper seeks to advocate the use of interventional radiology as a deployable specialty. The role of interventional radiology in the deployed setting is not yet fully outlined. To our knowledge, this is the first review of the role of interventional radiology in the combat environment in the US Army. The role of interventional radiology in the combat environment needs further exploration by the US military as it is often overlooked by military planners. In the future, interventional radiologists should be deployed in a manner that maximizes their skill sets.