Endovascular Neurosurgery is a subspecialty of neurosurgery in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using image guidance. Some of these procedures are done for purely diagnostic purposes such as cerebral angiograms, while others are done for treatment purposes, such as cerebral coilings or embolizations. Fluoroscopy (x-rays) is used to direct these procedures, which are performed using thin tubes called catheters. The catheters are introduced into the vascular system either through the femoral artery in the groin.
Basic Endovascular Procedures
- Angiography
Imaging the blood vessels to look for abnormalities - Balloon angioplasty
The opening of narrow or blocked blood vessels using a balloon - Chemoembolization
Delivering cancer treatment directly to a tumor through its blood supply - Drain insertions
Placement of tubes into different parts of the body to drain fluids - Embolization
Blocking abnormal blood vessels in arteriovenous malformations with glue or ONYX - Coiling
Placing small coils within a cerebral aneurysm - Thrombolysis/Clot Retrieval
Treatment aimed at dissolving or removing blood clots causing the stroke
The University of Florida is one of the largest volume endovascular neurosurgery centers in the country. Doctors Brian Hohand Adam Polifka of the Department of Neurosurgery perform all types of endovascular neurosurgery procedures.
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