Interventional radiology practice in a tertiary hospital in South Africa: A 5-year record review.

Background: Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly advancing speciality which uses various imaging modalities to guide diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Because of its many proven benefits, IR is becoming an integral part of clinical medicine, often taking preference over traditional therapies. While a vast amount of data have been published on IR experiences, there is a paucity of data from South Africa. An objective understanding of the scope and trajectory of our local IR practice is warranted given the global increasing demand for IR services. Objectives: This study investigated the scope of IR practice in a tertiary public hospital in South Africa over a period of 5 years. Method: Records for all IR procedures performed at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) from 01 January 2019 to 30 December 2023 were retrieved from the hospital Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) and radiographers' records. Results: The unit performed a total of 7438 procedures ranging from body, biliary, urology, angiography to oncology interventions over the 5-year period. Across all years, abscess drainages were consistently the most common procedure, followed by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) drainages and nephrostomies. Conclusion: The unit plays a major role in infection control with an increase in oncologic interventions in line with international practices. There is room for growth in refining the role of IR in trauma and other lifesaving emergency procedures. Contribution: This study provides information on the scope and utilisation patterns of IR services in South Africa and can serve as a baseline for future monitoring and comparison studies.