Neurointerventional Radiology
Neurointerventional Radiology Procedures
TIIA and Erlanger teamed up to create a stroke program that led to The Erlanger Southeast Regional Stroke Center, which is Southeast Tennessee's first and only accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center.
24/7 rapid-response stroke team
24/7 neuro imaging services
The region's only Neuro Intensive Care Unit
Neuro-interventional radiologists
Dedicated Stroke Center Medical Director & Coordinator
Latest clinical research stroke trials
Stroke Treatment and Prevention
What is a mechanical thrombectomy?
Mechanical thrombectomy is the use of minimally invasive tools to treat ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes occur as the result of a blockage in the arteries restricting blood supply. TIIA’s team of skilled interventional radiologists can make a small incision in the groin and use microcatheters to access the blockage in the patient’s brain. Some of the tools are referred to as stent retrievers; essentially these devices can take hold of the clot or blockage and then be used to pull it out. Other tools use suction to remove the clot and restore blood flow. Mechanical thrombectomy can be used in concert with intra-arterial pharmacologic thrombolysis (IA tPA) or not, depending on the patient’s last seen well time. Pharmacologic thrombolysis (tPA) is the use of IV drugs to treat ischemic stroke. As long as the patient has been seen behaving normally within four hours of symptom onset, the IA tPA can be used. If the last seen well time is greater than four hours, then the mechanical thrombectomy is performed without the drug.
What is Balloon Angioplasty?
Balloon angioplasty is used to open a blocked vessel. The balloon is delivered via a catheter and then inflated once it is deployed in the targeted area. The interventional radiologists deploy the balloon by first making an incision in the thigh and then using x-ray imaging to fine monitor their progress as they deliver the balloon through the femoral artery and into, usually, the carotid artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated and this allows blood to flow through the now larger space. The balloon does not permanently remain in the vessel.
What is Endovascular Stenting?
Endovascular stenting, on the other hand, provides a permanent way to open the vessel. The stent can be used in conjunction with a balloon. The balloon can be inflated and the stent, basically a small tube, can be placed to hold the vessel walls open. During a stroke, if the vessels are perceived by the doctor to be too narrow, too blocked, or susceptible to further blockages a stent can be placed in order to allow blood to flow more freely and continuously.
What is a brain AVM?
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain are abnormal connections between arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the brain. AVMs are most common in young adults and can be very dangerous because they may cause bleeding in or around the brain. People are born with AVMs but they do not seem to be inherited. It is thought that brain AVMs may be caused by a rupture or clotting of a blood vessel during the development of a baby.
How does embolization treat a brain AVM?
Embolization is a method to cut off blood supply to the AVM. After a neurological exam is performed to see what blood vessels supply the AVM with blood and if they also supply other parts of the brain, a catheter is inserted into the blood vessels surrounding the AVM and a permanent adhesive material is injected to close the vessels.
Other Neuro Interventional Procedures
What is a cerebral angiogram?
A cerebral angiogram uses x-ray imaging guidance to insert a catheter and inject contrast material into blood vessels in the brain. Then images are taken with x-rays in order to examine any abnormalities such as aneurysms and diseases.
How does embolization treat an aneurysm?
There are several ways to treat intracranial aneurysms endovascularly.
Endovascular coiling is a procedure performed to block blood flow into an aneurysm (a weakened area in the wall of an artery). ... During endovascular coiling, a catheter is passed through the groin up into the artery containing the aneurysm. Platinum coils are then released.
A small stent can be used in conjunction with the coils if the aneurysm requires this.
A flow diverter is an endovascular prosthesis used to treat intracranial aneurysms. It is placed in the aneurysm's parent artery, covering the neck, in order to divert blood flow away from the aneurysm and inducing a progressive thrombosis of the aneurysm sac.
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