Neurointerventional radiology is an exciting, relatively new tool in treating strokes. Interventional procedures have been in use for more than 20 years to treat heart conditions. Some of the techniques learned from treating heart conditions can be used to treat blood vessels feeding your brain.

A neurointerventionalist is a neurosurgeon with special training in minimally invasive procedures. This means procedures are done inside your brain by going through a small incision in your groin. Risks and complications are lower. Neurointervention can be used in all types of stroke.

The most common cause of a leak or rupture is an aneurysm, caused by a weakened artery wall. The weakened portion bulges and fills with blood. Surgery is one option to remove the damaged portion of the artery, stitching the undamaged ends together. Surgery carries a higher risk than interventional procedures.

Interventional procedures can include administering tPA right into the site of a stroke, treatment for aneurysms or stents put in vessels to help reduce the risk of a stroke reoccurring.

The Southwest Comprehensive Stroke Center features bi-plane cath lab technology for the most three-dimensional accurate images available today. These images help the neurointerventionalist to evaluate the size of an aneurysm and the amount and size of the coils needed to fill the aneurysm.