Interventional neuroradiology is an evolving specialty for minimally invasive treatment of abnormalities of the blood vessels in the brain and spine. Using advanced cross-sectional and three dimensional imaging, these procedures show great promise for improved diagnosis and clinical outcomes.
Under appropriate anesthesia, a tiny, tube-like catheter is inserted into one of the limb arteries (usually in the right groin region). Using x-ray guidance, this catheter is negotiated through the vascular tree of the body, into the vessels supplying the brain and spine. Through this, a dye can be introduced into the blood vessels, and its flow can be documented, to accurately diagnose abnormalities of the target organ vessels. A wide range of specialized equipment can be introduced into the circulation in this fashion, to repair the abnormal blood vessels.
Using these techniques, diagnosis and treatment of the full range of vascular stroke disorders is also made possible. These include intraarterial thrombolysis for stroke, coil embolization of aneurysms, embolization of arterio-venous malformations and arterio-venous fistulae, and preoperative embolization of tumors in the neck and brain. To treat vascular stenosis and blockages, angioplasty and/or stenting of the carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, and intracranial arteries are offered. Emergency treatment of epistaxis (nosebleed) and head and neck vascular injuries is also available. Treatment of vertebral compression fractures (vertebroplasty) is offered, which can dramatically improve a patient’s comfort and level of activity. Other spine maladies are treated with epidural steroid injections, sacroiliac joint injections, facet joint injections, and selective nerve root blocks.
Interventional neuroradiology techniques often allow us access to areas of the brain and spine that are surgically difficult to reach. Because the procedures are minimally invasive, hospital stays and recovery periods are normally shorter. In many cases, they also pose a lower risk for complications and infection
The department of neuroradiology at Citi Neuro Centre is equipped with an Advanced neurointerventional suite with 3D rotational angiography.This system enables digital subtraction angiography which permits clear visualization of brain, spine and coronary blood vessels without interfence from bony or dense soft tissue environment.
3D rotational angiography provides an image of a particular vessel while the camera rotates around the patient in a predefined arc, enabling viewing of the structure from multiple angles with a single injection of contrast medium. It gives exquisitely detailed 3 Dimensional visualization of the blood vessels, thereby enabling faster and more accurate clinical decisions while treating complex abnormalities of the blood vessels.
