Intervention Radiology

Barnard Institute Of Radiology -Intervention Division

• The radiology services in the prestigious Madras Medical College was started in the year 1900 with just a single x-ray unit in one room .Serving the public for the past 88 years Barnard institute of Radiology is now spread out over 7 hospitals in Chennai district and caters to patient population not only from all over Tamilnadu but also to neighbouring states of Andhra and Kerala.
• Interventional Radiology (IR) represents a transformative subspecialty of Radiology, offering minimally invasive, image-guided therapies that span nearly every organ system. By replacing traditional open surgeries with pinhole-access procedures, IR delivers safer, faster, and more effective care—reducing patient risk, minimizing discomfort, accelerating recovery, and shortening hospital stays.

A Centre Of Excellence

The road to a full fledged Intervention Division of Barnard Institute of Radiology and Oncology.

• The evolution of the Intervention Division at the Barnard Institute of Radiology and Oncology stands as a testament to the institution's pioneering spirit in the field. From its inception, the institute has been at the forefront of interventional radiology. Early on, pioneers like Dr. Arthur Daniel and Dr. P.C. Rajaram performed diagnostic angiograms using direct aortic or carotid punctures. These early breakthroughs laid the foundation for future advancements.
• Subsequently, stalwarts like Dr. I. Kandasamy gained recognition for their work, particularly in renal angiograms and angioplasty of the inferior vena cava in Budd-Chiari syndrome. Dr. I. Kandasamy was renowned for his expertise in renal angiograms, including performing them for renal transplant donors.
• This contributed significantly to the success of kidney transplants during his time. His work remains a remarkable example of how radiology supports advancements in medicine. Prof. Dr. Daniel, known for establishing principles of biliary interventions, introduced percutaneous biliary drainage procedures and took great pride in imparting these skills to postgraduates.
• Prof. T.S. Swaminathan and Dr. Sundareswaran, advanced techniques in Cerebral angiograms and bronchial artery embolizations. Simultaneously, non-vascular interventions like FNAC and biopsies became a routine practice performed by postgraduates under the guidance of faculty.
• A significant turning point came in 2007 under Prof. S. Kalpana's leadership, as efforts to establish a dedicated intervention division gathered momentum. While Prof. Dr. Vanita sowed the seeds for the current interventional unit, its design took shape through brainstorming by Prof. Dr. S. Kalpana and Prof. Dr. Chezian over many cups of canteen coffee. Investments were made in exclusive CT fluoroscopic equipment, ultrasound, and a biplane cath lab, housed within the old primary premises of the Barnard Institute. Prof. Dr. Kailasanathan played a pivotal role in securing additional funds for the biplane cath lab, supplementing government-sanctioned resources.
• Under the visionary guidance and sustained efforts of esteemed professor, Dr. Kalpana S, the Interventional Radiology division at Barnard Institute of Radiology has witnessed transformative growth. Her unwavering commitment over five years culminated in the installation of a state-of-the-art biplane cathlab in 2017, significantly advancing the scope and precision of neurovascular and complex interventions.
• Once the interventional outpatient services and dedicated wards were established at the Barnard Institute of Radiology, the impact was transformative. Patients from across Tamil Nadu began to be referred to the institute for its specialized intervention procedures. This centralization of expertise and advanced facilities helped improve access to high-quality care, making the institute a hub for interventional radiology in the state.
• The establishment of the first full-fledged interventional unit in Tamil Nadu's government medical service was a landmark achievement. The establishment of the DM Intervention Radiology course further expanded the scope of procedures, leading to the division's present status as a comprehensive unit. This ensured that knowledge, expertise, and pioneering spirit were passed on to future generations, creating a legacy of excellence.
• Today, the institute excels in performing a wide range of vascular and non-vascular interventions across emergency and trauma management, stroke and oncology treatment.
• Building on this foundation, the institute achieved another landmark in 2020 with the launch of the DM Interventional Radiology training program, positioning Madras Medical College the first government institution in Tamil Nadu offering super-speciality training in IR.

Full Fledged Intervention

The Biplane digital Subtraction Unit housed in the initial premises of BIR.

• We proudly acknowledge the exceptional contributions of our distinguished alumni—Dr. Nishanth Gopal, Dr. Abhijith Markande, Dr. Rinesh K, and Dr. Mohan Raj—whose dedication to patient care and departmental progress continues to inspire. During their tenure as DM Interventional Radiology students, they worked sincerely and selflessly, especially in serving economically disadvantaged patients.
• Their commitment extended beyond clinical duties into transformative innovation. One of their most outstanding legacies is the development of a unique health information system software—a comprehensive, single-point solution designed to:
  • Facilitate Outpatient Registration
  • Streamline Patient Follow-up
  • Enable Clinical Data Archiving
  • Support Academic and Research Activities
• This pioneering application has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and academic integration within the department, setting a high standard for future cohorts.
• Thanks to their proactive involvement in securing CSR funding, we successfully acquired critical medical equipment including the Endovascular Laser, Ultrasound machine, and Penumbra aspiration kit.
• Their dedication not only ensured timely procurement but also significantly strengthened our capacity to deliver advanced patient care and life-saving interventions.

Dr Abhijith Markande

Dr Nishanth

Dr Rinesh Kochummen

Dr Mohan Raj

Prof Sivasankar, Prof Ramesh, Prof Amarnath, Prof Ravi, Prof T.S.Swaminathan, Prof Babu Peter, Prof S.Kalpana.

Intervention Division Timeline