Inspiring Care
Neurointerventional Radiology (or endovascular neurosurgery), is practiced by specialty trained neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists, utilizing an endovascular approach to treat vascular diseases of the central nervous system. These diseases include aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and stroke in the adult and pediatric populations.
Since the emergence of neurointerventional radiology more than four decades ago, technological advances have led to progress in scientific knowledge and the development of highly efficient endovascular devices allowing for a better understanding and identification of the vascular lesions that may be treated. The endovascular devices are introduced through catheters in the peripheral blood vessels and advanced to the vascular abnormality in the brain or spine. Once in position, they can be used to block abnormalities within the vessels to protect from hemorrhage or to open up blocked arteries to improve the blood flow. Coils, liquid embolic materials, stents and clot retrieval devices are examples of therapeutic devices commonly used by interventional neuroradiologists.
Neurointerventional Radiology is also involved in the treatment of traumatic lesions in the head and neck region, pre-operative devascularization of tumors and other vascular masses, as well as in percutaneous spinal procedures like augmentation of vertebral compression fractures.
UNC Neurointerventional Radiology is part of an Award-Winning Comprehensive Stroke Center which received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association Gold Plus Award. Time to treatment is a very important factor for stroke patients. We are able to transfer stroke patients from the emergency room to the procedure room and remove clots from blood vessel in the brain within 30 minutes of arrival at UNC.
The division of Neurointerventional radiology also works closely with the UNC Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Center of Excellence to study and treat this specific type of vascular malformations. In addition, we are part of a UNC multidisciplinary team focusing on education, research and treatment of vascular malformations in children and adults.