Interventional neuroradiology, also called surgical neuroangiography or endovascular neurosurgery, is a relatively new specialty in which physicians use minimally invasive techniques to treat a variety of abnormalities in the arteries and veins of the brain, head, neck, and spine. With these procedures, a catheter is passed through the arteries or veins, usually starting from the groin, to the location of the abnormality. The abnormality is then repaired. This most commonly involves blocking off an abnormal vessel, or opening up a vessel has become blocked due to disease.
These techniques were originally developed to support traditional surgery rather than take the place of it. However, they have gained increasing acceptance and are in many situations considered the “first line” treatment for certain types of intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF). Many interventional neuroradiology procedures have the potential to treat conditions that may otherwise be untreatable. The improved outcomes of interventional neuroradiology procedures are partly due to technological advances, such as new embolic agents (used to “block off” vessels) and smaller, softer, and more maneuverable microcatheters (used to maneuver through the vessels).
The rapid growth of interventional neuroradiology techniques has resulted in it becoming a new radiology sub-specialty. These procedures are complex and demanding, and are often coordinated by teams of specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, and neuroradiology. Radiology Imaging Associates is pleased to offer the full range of interventional neuroradiology procedures.
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