Augmented Interventional Radiology via Augmented Reality.

Overview

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have the potential to transform interventional radiology (IR) by enhancing image guidance, procedural planning, and training. These technologies may enable more accurate and efficient interventions; both can improve outcomes. Applications include AR-guided procedures such as biopsies and ablations and VR-based training and tools to visualize radiation dose or improve patient comfort and education. To allow a successful transition into clinical workflow, technical challenges, such as real-time registration of imaging data on moving anatomy, autosegmentation, and device tracking, need to be addressed and potential paths for resolution need to be outlined. Immersive 3-dimensional visualization from AR may assist in needle navigation, margin confirmation, and standardization of ablation strategies. Hardware platforms, from headsets to smartphones and augmented displays, are described, each with specific trade-offs. Broader adoption depends on ergonomic, regulatory, and clinical validation and outcomes studies. AR/VR technologies hold promise for more precise, standardized, and accessible IR procedures in the future.