Interventional Neuroradiology
General Information Interventional neuroradiology involves the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders by endovascular methods. That is, the pathological condition is assessed and treated through blood vessels, most often through a tiny incision in the groin. There are many diseases which may be treated in this fashion, such as cerebral aneurysms, vascular malformations and stroke. Typically, the site of pathology in the brain is reached by advancing a skinny long tube (microcatheter) from the groin into the head utilizing special digital fluoroscopic guidance technique. Once the site of pathology is reached, various different types of treatment may be administered through the microcatheter, depending on the disease process. For aneurysms, small metallic coils are placed into the aneurysmal sac sealing it off from the inside and preventing further bleeding. For acute strokes, clot dissolving medicine can be injected directly into a blood clot which is occluding an artery and thereby reestablishing blood flow to the brain. The damage to the brain and the surrounding area can be limited. Vascular malformations, which are abnormal connections of blood vessels that are prone to bleed, can be closed off using a variety of materials, including coils, plastic particles or acrylic polymers. |