The Brain and Spine Institute’s staff of specialists, including neurosurgeons, neurologists and neuroradiologists, are using the latest imaging technology to offer several new, advanced treatment options for life-threatening brain tumors, aneurysms and strokes.

Interventional neuroradiology is a minimally invasive approach that uses techniques to treat vascular diseases of the central nervous system.

When a blood vessel in the brain “balloons out” and tears, dangerous bleeding begins, which is fatal more than half of the time. Traditional treatment includes surgically opening the brain and clipping the rupture area shut. In the past, conditions such as aneurysms; vascular malformations; and tumors of the brain, spine, head and neck that would have required surgical intervention, now can be considered for an endovascular approach to reach the lesion.

In 2003, the institute opened a biplane angiography suite—a radiology interventional facility—that has two highly advanced X-ray units, which allow the radiologists to see everything in a three-dimensional view and more accurately assess the extent of the disease. The advanced biplane system produces higher resolution images and 3-dimensional images of the vascular system and spine. By obtaining these two images simultaneously this technique also reduces total procedure time.

Aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), acute stroke, carotid stenosis and as well as several other vascular diseases of the brain and spine may be treatable using interventional neuroradiology techniques, which are more effective, less invasive alternatives to surgery and may include coiling (using platinum coils) for treating aneurysms and balloon angioplasty and stents to revascularize (open) arteries. These advanced treatment options for life-threatening brain tumors, aneurysms and strokes are less-invasive procedures, which generally are safer than prior options, can offer immediate pain relief and require less recovery time.