[Interventional radiology in Norwegian hospitals]

Abstract

Background: In recent years, interventional radiology has gained in importance in patient treatment. In order to assess the impact of this trend, the executive committee of the Norwegian Society for Interventional Radiology made a registration of all interventional procedures in Norwegian hospitals in the year 2000.

Material and methods: Data were collected by a questionnaire sent to all Norwegian hospitals. Coronary interventions were not included.

Results: Forty-four out of 58 departments returned the questionnaire; 33 stated that they performed interventional procedures. A total of 18 135 procedures were performed in Norway in 2000; we present data on the distribution of types of procedures on different categories of hospitals.

Interpretation: A large number of interventional radiological procedures were performed in Norwegian hospitals in the year 2000, types of intervention that are considered very important in patient management in small hospitals, too.