Interventional Radiology (IR) is a rapidly evolving subspecialty of radiology that uses minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of diseases throughout the body. Using advanced imaging modalities including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), interventional radiologists perform highly targeted procedures through small skin incisions, often avoiding the need for traditional open surgery. These techniques result in reduced procedural risk, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, less pain, and improved patient outcomes.

Interventional Radiology at Groote Schuur Hospital is one of the leading academic interventional radiology units in Africa. The unit provides a comprehensive 24-hour interventional radiology service to both the public and private healthcare sectors and is recognised for its commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, education, and the advancement of minimally invasive therapies across South Africa and the African continent.

The unit manages a broad spectrum of vascular and non-vascular interventions, including hepatobiliary interventions, interventional oncology, trauma and haemorrhage management, venous interventions, women’s and men’s health interventions, renal and urological interventions, dialysis access procedures, musculoskeletal interventions, paediatric interventions, and complex image-guided biopsies and drainages. The service plays a critical role in multidisciplinary patient care and collaborates closely with hepatobiliary surgery, trauma surgery, vascular surgery, hepatology, gastroenterology, oncology, urology, nephrology, gynaecology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, and transplant services.

The Groote Schuur Hospital Interventional Radiology service has demonstrated substantial procedural growth and clinical impact over recent years and has become one of the busiest and most advanced interventional radiology services in the region. The division performs more than 2,500 referrals annually and continues to expand access to advanced minimally invasive therapies within the South African public healthcare sector.