Interventional Neuroradiology Conditions and Procedures

Loyola’s interventional neuroradiologists offer therapies for the following conditions:

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) – An abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain that is present from birth and can cause seizures, headaches and sometimes stroke.

Cerebral aneurysms – A blood vessel in the brain that is weakened and bulging in one section. A ruptured aneurysm can cause stroke.

Ear/nose/throat emergencies, such as a severe nosebleed

Intracranial or head and neck hypervascular tumors – A tumor in the brain, head or neck that is characterized by an increased number of blood vessels feeding the tumor cells. It may be difficult to remove surgically due to the risk of bleeding.

Stroke and high risk for stroke – A stroke – otherwise known as a brain attack – occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted by a blockage or by bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel.

Vertebral compression fractures – A fracture of the vertebral body – the donut shaped part of the vertebrae bone. Compression fractures of the spine can cause chronic pain and other complications.

In collaboration with other specialists, interventional neuroradiologists design the best treatment approach for each patient's particular disease and condition severity. Some neurointerventional procedures sometimes are offered in preparation for surgery or radiation, or in combination with surgery and other treatments. Increasingly, interventional neuroradiologistsprovide curative procedures that are effective alternatives to traditional, open surgery.

Loyola’s interventional neuroradiologists perform the following procedures, most of which require hospitalization:

Coil obliteration of brain aneurysms (aneurysm coiling) – A microcatheter (tiny plastic tube) is placed in the aneurysm within the brain. Tiny metallic coils then are delivered within the aneurysm to pack it full and eliminate the risk of bleeding or re-bleeding.

Superselective diagnostic angiography – This diagnostic procedure provides detailed information about arteriovenous malformations and other lesions in brain to aid in treatment planning.

Embolization – A method to block or close blood vessels. Pre-operative embolization reduces the blood supply to hypervascular tumors and can reduce blood loss during surgery and shorten surgical time. Embolization is also used to eliminate or relieve symptoms of an arteriovenous malformation.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting – A microcatheter (tiny plastic tube) is placed in the carotid artery in the neck. A tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated to open the narrowed blood vessel and a metal stent – a wire mesh tubular support – is inserted to keep the artery from narrowing again.

Intracranial angioplasty and stenting – A microcatheter (tiny plastic tube) is placed in the arteries within the brain. A tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated to open the narrowed blood vessel and a metal stent – a wire mesh tubular support – is inserted to keep the artery from narrowing again.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis – Within a few hours of stroke onset, a catheter may be positioned near the blood clot that is blocking a cerebral artery. A clot-disrupting or retrieval device can be applied directly to eliminate the clot and improve the patient’s recovery.

Vertebroplasty – A treatment for vertebral compression fractures. A hollow needle is inserted into the fractured vertebrae and an injection of cement is used to harden and the bone and stabilize the spine.

Kyphoplasty – A treatment for vertebral compression fractures. A hollow needle is inserted into the fractured vertebrae and a balloon at the end of the needle is inflated to restore its height. The space formed by the balloon is filled with cement that hardens the bone and stabilizes the spine.