Student internships: Esther Oluwafeyisayo

Esther Oluwafeyisayo, a 5^th year medical student at the University of Novi Sad, travelled to the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, to complete an internship.

A Day in the Interventional Radiology Department at Semmelweis University

Each day started at 08:00 with patient evaluations and case discussions, where the team reviewed imaging scans and procedural plans. Throughout the day, I had the opportunity to observe and understand the intricacies of image-guided interventions, witnessing how precise techniques can offer life-saving treatments with minimal recovery time.

Esther Oluwafeyisayo

With Dr. Bibok

During my internship, I observed various vascular, oncological, and biliary interventions, including:

• Nephrostomy – The placement of a catheter to drain urine from the kidney in cases of obstruction.
• Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) – A targeted therapy where chemotherapy-coated particles block a tumour’s blood supply.
• Holmium-166 radioembolization – A high-precision cancer treatment that delivers radiation to liver tumours using irradiated microspheres.
• Balloon angioplasty and stenting – A procedure used to restore blood flow in patients with peripheral artery disease, particularly those at risk of gangrene.
• Percutaneous biliary drainage – A minimally invasive technique to relieve obstructions in the biliary tract and improve liver function.
• Port-a-cath and central venous catheter placement – Essential for intravenous chemotherapy and long-term medication administration.
• Paracentesis and liver biopsy – Performed to manage fluid buildup in the abdomen and obtain tissue samples for diagnosis.
• Arterial catheterization for aneurysm and gastrointestinal bleeding – An attempt to embolize abnormal blood vessels, though a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment was unsuccessful.

Our break time around 13:00 allowed for insightful discussions with Dr. Bibok and his colleagues, where they provided additional explanations about the cases and techniques. The afternoons were dedicated to imaging analysis, case reviews, and learning about innovative devices, with the workday ending at 16:00.

Reflections on the internship

This experience was transformative, reinforcing my passion for minimally invasive procedures and their ability to improve patient outcomes with reduced risks and recovery times. Dr. Bibok’s mentorship was invaluable—his ability to explain complex procedures in a structured and engaging manner greatly enhanced my learning. The hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, were incredibly supportive, making me feel welcomed and integrated into the team.

I am deeply grateful to CIRSE for this opportunity. This internship has strengthened my commitment to minimally invasive surgery and interventional medicine, and I highly encourage medical students with an interest in these fields to take advantage of the CIRSE Student Internship Programme. It is an unparalleled experience that provides both technical knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the impact of image-guided interventions in modern medicine.