A two-day knowledge-sharing and clinical exchange program was held at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI. It highlighted the most recent advancements in interventional radiology, with a focus on the diagnosis, screening, and minimally invasive treatment of venous diseases—a public health issue that is becoming less and less acknowledged in India. Advanced endovascular embolization procedures, which provided non-surgical choices for specific oncology patients, were also highlighted in the program.

The program brought together internationally acclaimed interventional radiologist Dr. Carrafiello from Milan and Dr. Avik Bhattacharyya, Director & HOD, Interventional Radiology, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI.

They discussed sophisticated, image-guided methods for treating problems such as complicated vascular malformations, pelvic venous abnormalities, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and varicose veins.

Due to sedentary lifestyles, extended standing or sitting, obesity, and post-COVID vascular alterations, venous illnesses are becoming more common across all age groups. However, they are still largely underdiagnosed since symptoms are frequently written off as cosmetic or lifestyle-related problems. People who work in occupations that require a lot of standing, such as traffic police officers, cooks, teachers, retail employees, and manufacturing workers, are more at risk. The goal of the seminar was to raise awareness of early symptoms, prompt screening, and available treatments to avoid long-term issues like ulcers, chronic discomfort, and swelling.

The knowledge-sharing program demonstrated how interventional radiology has revolutionized venous care by substituting image-guided pinhole procedures for traditional surgery, which minimizes pain, shortens hospital stays, and speeds up recovery. A live case-based discussion that showcased expensive venous and vascular operations that were previously only available in a few metro areas was a major highlight. These procedures are now routinely carried out at CMRI, Kolkata, greatly enhancing patients’ access to advanced care throughout Eastern India.

The program reinforced Kolkata’s developing position as a center for cutting-edge interventional and minimally invasive healthcare in Eastern India, while highlighting CK Birla Hospitals and CMRI’s ongoing emphasis on clinical excellence, international collaboration, and patient-centric innovation.

Priyanka Dutta