Facts on Neuro Interventional Radiology

The science Neurointerventional radiology is a minimally invasive technique to unblock nerve and brain tissue through blood veins and arteries.  This is a board certified MD degree involving knowledge of neurology, vascular anatomy, radiology, MRI and other specialized diagnostic imaging techniques to unblock aneurysms, remove brain tumors, and other disorders that would require invasive surgery.

Background

Interventional surgical techniques began about 20 years ago and has become the cutting edge surgical procedure treating a greater variety of challenging cases that was difficult or impossible before.  Interventional radiology and surgery is currently used to treat cardiac and vascular patients.  Sometimes these same techniques are being used to treat blood vessels in the brain.

Procedure

The surgery is performed by a neurosurgeon specialist in minimal innovative surgical techniques.  The incision is made in the groin to access the large vessels in the leg. Specialized surgical tools are guided up the leg into the brain where tumors, aneurysms, and other disorders can be accessed and treated.  Through interventional procedures, a tPA can be inserted at the site of a stroke giving the patient relief and less structural damage.

Benefits of neurointerventional surgery

Minimal invasive surgery requires less down time.  There is less tissue trauma so the patient heals faster.  Deep neurological structures can be reached that are inaccessible by conventional surgery.

Training

To become a specialist in neurointerventional radiology, you first must be a qualified neurosurgeon certified in radiology.  Training for two or three years focusing on neurointerventional radiology and surgery working with blood vessels, the brain, spinal cord to access and treat trouble spots with the technology.