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A diagnostic cerebral angiogram is a medical imaging procedure used to examine the blood vessels in the brain. It helps doctors identify any abnormalities in the brain’s arteries or veins, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), or blockages that may cause strokes or other neurological problems. During the procedure, a contrast dye is injected into the blood vessels, and X-ray images (angiograms) are taken to provide a detailed view of the blood flow within the brain. This test is commonly used when other imaging methods, like CT scans or MRIs, cannot provide enough detailed information.T he procedure is typically done in a hospital or specialized clinic and is minimally invasive, often requiring only a small incision in the groin or wrist where the catheter is inserted to deliver the contrast dye. The angiogram results help guide treatment decisions, which may include surgery, medication, or other interventions.
Cerebral Aneurysm Coil Embolization
Cerebral aneurysm coil embolization is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat brain aneurysms (abnormal bulges or weak areas in the blood vessels of the brain). During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a small incision in the groin or wrist and threaded through the blood vessels to the site of the aneurysm. A series of soft, platinum coils are then carefully placed into the aneurysm. These coils help promote blood clotting inside the aneurysm, effectively sealing it off from the rest of the bloodstream.
This technique helps prevent the aneurysm from growing or rupturing, reducing the risk of bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Coil embolization is often preferred over open surgery for its less invasive nature and quicker recovery times
Stent-AssistedCoil Embolization
Stent-assisted coil embolization is a variation of the standard coil embolization procedure and is used in cases where the aneurysm is located in a difficult-to-reach area or has an irregular shape. In this procedure, a small mesh stent is placed inside the artery leading to the aneurysm.
The stent acts as a scaffold to help hold the coils in place within the aneurysm, ensuring that the coils do not shift and that the aneurysm is effectively sealed off.The stent is typically made of a biocompatible metal, and it remains in place after the procedure. Stent-assisted coil embolization can be a safer and more effective option for certain types of aneurysms, particularly those with wide necks or those that are located near critical blood vessels. Like standard coil embolization, this procedure is minimally invasive and offers a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgical approaches. Both procedures are performed by interventional neuroradiologists or neurosurgeons, and they are typically guided by advanced maging techniques, such as fluoroscopy or 3D angiography, to ensure accuracy and safety.You’re welcome! Here’s a description of epistaxis embolization involving branches of the external carotid artery:
Epistaxis Embolization Involving Branches of the External Carotid Artery
Epistaxis embolization is a medical procedure used to control severe, persistent
nosebleeds (epistaxis) that do not respond to conservative treatments. The procedure
involves the use of an embolizing agent to block the blood flow to the vessels responsible
for the bleeding, providing a long-term solution for recurrent or life-threatening
nosebleeds.In this procedure, the interventional radiologist accesses the blood vessels through a
small incision, typically in the groin, where a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery
and threaded through the vascular system to the external carotid artery. The external
carotid artery is a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the face, including the nose.
Several branches of the external carotid artery, such as the sphenopalatine artery or the
superior labial artery, are the common culprits when it comes to severe nosebleeds.
Once the catheter reaches the bleeding vessel, an embolizing agent, often in the form of a
gel or small particles, is injected into the artery to block blood flow.
This procedure
effectively “shuts off” the blood supply to the affected vessels, preventing further bleeding
and promoting clot formation within the vessels.
Epistaxis embolization is generally considered when other interventions, like nasal packing or cauterization, are ineffective or if the bleeding is recurrent. It is a minimally invasive approach that provides a higher success rate for patients with intractable nosebleeds.
The procedure is typically well-tolerated and is performed under local anesthesia with guidance from fluoroscopy or other advanced imaging techniques to ensure precise placement of the embolic material.
By blocking the blood vessels involved, epistaxis embolization is a safe and effective way to control severe nosebleeds, particularly in cases where the bleeding source is difficult to manage with traditional methods.
Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA) Embolization for Subdural Hematoma
Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA) Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs)—a type of brain bleed that occurs between the brain and its outer covering. This treatment is especially beneficial for patients who are at risk for the hematoma coming back or who may not be good candidates for traditional
surgery.
How the Procedure Works?
A small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, usually in the wrist or leg.
Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the middle meningeal
artery, which supplies blood to the area of the hematoma.
A special medication (embolizing agent) is then injected to block off tiny blood
vessels, reducing blood flow to the hematoma and helping it shrink over time.
Why Choose MMA Embolization?
Minimally invasive – No need for open brain surgery.
Lower risk of recurrence – Helps prevent the hematoma from coming back.
Faster recovery – Many patients can go home the same day or the next.
Is This Procedure Right for You?
MMA embolization is often recommended for patients with chronic subdural
hematomas, especially if:
• The hematoma is slow-growing but at risk of getting worse.
• You’ve had a previous hematoma that returned after surgery.
• You have other health conditions that make traditional surgery riskier.
A small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, usually in the wrist or leg.
Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the middle meningeal
artery, which supplies blood to the area of the hematoma.
A special medication (embolizing agent) is then injected to block off tiny blood
vessels, reducing blood flow to the hematoma and helping it shrink over time.
Minimally invasive – No need for open brain surgery.
Lower risk of recurrence – Helps prevent the hematoma from coming back.
Faster recovery – Many patients can go home the same day or the next.
Is This Procedure Right for You?
MMA embolization is often recommended for patients with chronic subdural
hematomas, especially if:
• The hematoma is slow-growing but at risk of getting worse.
• You’ve had a previous hematoma that returned after surgery.
• You have other health conditions that make traditional surgery riskier.
Safe & Effective Care
While MMA embolization is generally safe, all procedures carry some risks, such as mild discomfort, bruising at the catheter site, or rare complications like unintended blockage of other vessels. Our expert team will carefully evaluate your condition and discuss whether
this treatment is the best option for you.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, contact us today to learn more about MMA embolization and how we can help!
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Dural Venous Sinus Disease and Pulsatile Tinnitus: Causes & Treatment
If you hear a rhythmic “whooshing” sound in your ear that matches your heartbeat, you may have a condition called pulsatile tinnitus. Unlike regular tinnitus (a constant ringing or buzzing), pulsatile tinnitus is often linked to blood flow changes in the veins near the
brain—specifically, the dural venous sinuses.
How Dural Venous Sinus Disease Causes Pulsatile Tinnitus
The dural venous sinuses are large veins in the brain that help drain blood back to the heart. If these veins become narrowed (stenosis) or blocked, blood flow can become turbulent, creating the whooshing sound that people with pulsatile tinnitus experience.
Common causes of dural venous sinus narrowing include:
• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) – Increased pressure in the brain can compress the veins.
• Congenital narrowing – Some people are born with smaller venous sinuses.
• Clots or scarring – Previous blood clots or inflammation can restrict normal blood flow.
Treatment with Venous Sinus Stenting
For patients whose pulsatile tinnitus is caused by venous sinus stenosis, a minimally invasive procedure called venous sinus stenting may provide relief.
How the Procedure Works:
1. A small tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein, usually in the leg.
2. Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the narrowed section of the venous sinus.
3. A tiny, flexible stent is placed in the vein to hold it open and restore normal blood flow.
4. Many patients notice an immediate improvement in their pulsatile tinnitus after the procedure.
Why Consider Venous Sinus Stenting?
Minimally invasive – No open surgery required.
High success rate – Many patients experience significant or complete symptom relief.
Quick recovery – Most people go home the same day or the next.
Is This Treatment Right for You?
If you have persistent pulsatile tinnitus, especially if it has been linked to venous sinus narrowing on imaging, stenting may be an effective treatment option. Our team specializes in evaluating and treating this condition to help you find relief.
Take the Next Step
If pulsatile tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn if venous sinus stenting could be the right solution for you!
Intracranial Arterial Stenting: A Treatment for Narrowed Brain Arteries
The arteries in your brain are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to keep your brain functioning properly. When these arteries become narrowed (stenosis) due to plaque buildup or other conditions, blood flow is restricted, increasing the risk of stroke and other neurological symptoms. Intracranial arterial stenting is a minimally invasive procedure designed to open these narrowed arteries and restore normal blood flow.
What Causes Intracranial Arterial Narrowing?
Several conditions can lead to intracranial stenosis, including:
Atherosclerosis – A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the brain’s arteries.
Vasculitis – Inflammation of the blood vessels.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) – A condition that affects artery structure.
Previous strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) – Can cause scarring or narrowing of brain arteries.
How Intracranial Arterial Stenting Works
This procedure widens the blocked artery using a tiny, flexible stent, helping to reduce the risk of stroke and improve blood flow to the brain.
Step-by-Step Procedure:
1. A small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, typically in the wrist or leg.
2. Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the narrowed brain artery.
3. A tiny balloon is inflated to gently open the artery.
4. A stent (a small mesh tube) is placed in the artery to keep it open and prevent future narrowing.
Why Consider Intracranial Arterial Stenting?
Minimally invasive – No open brain surgery required.
Restores blood flow – Reducing the risk of stroke and neurological symptoms.
Quick recovery – Most patients can go home within a day.
Who is a Candidate for This Procedure?
Have significant artery narrowing (usually >70%) putting them at high risk for
stroke.
Have had strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) despite being on medication
Have symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, or speech difficulties related to
poor brain circulation.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been diagnosed with intracranial artery stenosis or have experienced symptoms of reduced brain blood flow, contact us today to see if intracranial arterial stenting is the right treatment for you. Our expert team is here to help you find the best options for stroke prevention and brain health!
Intracranial Arterial Stenting: A Treatment for Narrowed Brain Arteries
The arteries in your brain are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to keep your brain functioning properly. When these arteries become narrowed (stenosis) due to plaque buildup or other conditions, blood flow is restricted, increasing the risk of stroke and other neurological symptoms. Intracranial arterial stenting is a minimally invasive procedure designed to open these narrowed arteries and restore normal blood flow.
What Causes Intracranial Arterial Narrowing?
Several conditions can lead to intracranial stenosis, including:
Atherosclerosis – A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the brain’s arteries.
Vasculitis – Inflammation of the blood vessels.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) – A condition that affects artery structure.
Previous strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) – Can cause scarring or narrowing of brain arteries.
How Intracranial Arterial Stenting Works
This procedure widens the blocked artery using a tiny, flexible stent, helping to reduce the risk of stroke and improve blood flow to the brain
Step-by-Step Procedure:
1. A small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, typically in the wrist or leg.
2. Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the narrowed brain artery.
3. A tiny balloon is inflated to gently open the artery.
4. A stent (a small mesh tube) is placed in the artery to keep it open and prevent future narrowing.
Why Consider Intracranial Arterial Stenting?
Minimally invasive – No open brain surgery required.
Restores blood flow – Reducing the risk of stroke and neurological symptoms.
Quick recovery – Most patients can go home within a day.
Dural Venous Sinus Disease and Pulsatile Tinnitus: Causes & Treatment
If you hear a rhythmic “whooshing” sound in your ear that matches your heartbeat, you may have a condition called pulsatile tinnitus. Unlike regular tinnitus (a constant ringing or buzzing), pulsatile tinnitus is often linked to blood flow changes in the veins near the
brain—specifically, the dural venous sinuses.
How Dural Venous Sinus Disease Causes Pulsatile Tinnitus
The dural venous sinuses are large veins in the brain that help drain blood back to the heart. If these veins become narrowed (stenosis) or blocked, blood flow can become turbulent, creating the whooshing sound that people with pulsatile tinnitus experience.
Common causes of dural venous sinus narrowing include:
• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) – Increased pressure in the brain can compress the veins.
• Congenital narrowing – Some people are born with smaller venous sinuses.
• Clots or scarring – Previous blood clots or inflammation can restrict normal blood flow.
Treatment with Venous Sinus Stenting
For patients whose pulsatile tinnitus is caused by venous sinus stenosis, a minimally invasive procedure called venous sinus stenting may provide relief.
How the Procedure Works:
1. A small tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein, usually in the leg.
2. Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the narrowed section of the venous sinus.
3. A tiny, flexible stent is placed in the vein to hold it open and restore normal blood flow.
4. Many patients notice an immediate improvement in their pulsatile tinnitus after the procedure.
Why Consider Venous Sinus Stenting?
Minimally invasive – No open surgery required.
High success rate – Many patients experience significant or complete symptom relief.
Quick recovery – Most people go home the same day or the next.
Is This Treatment Right for You?
If you have persistent pulsatile tinnitus, especially if it has been linked to venous sinus narrowing on imaging, stenting may be an effective treatment option. Our team specializes in evaluating and treating this condition to help you find relief.
Take the Next Step
If pulsatile tinnitus is affecting your quality of life, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn if venous sinus stenting could be the right solution for you!
Intracranial Arterial Stenting: A Treatment for Narrowed Brain Arteries
The arteries in your brain are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to keep your brain functioning properly. When these arteries become narrowed (stenosis) due to plaque buildup or other conditions, blood flow is restricted, increasing the risk of stroke and other neurological symptoms. Intracranial arterial stenting is a minimally invasive procedure designed to open these narrowed arteries and restore normal blood flow.
What Causes Intracranial Arterial Narrowing?
Several conditions can lead to intracranial stenosis, including:
Atherosclerosis – A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the brain’s arteries.
Vasculitis – Inflammation of the blood vessels.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) – A condition that affects artery structure.
Previous strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) – Can cause scarring or narrowing of brain arteries.
How Intracranial Arterial Stenting Works
This procedure widens the blocked artery using a tiny, flexible stent, helping to reduce the risk of stroke and improve blood flow to the brain.
Step-by-Step Procedure:
1. A small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, typically in the wrist or leg.
2. Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the narrowed brain artery.
3. A tiny balloon is inflated to gently open the artery.
4. A stent (a small mesh tube) is placed in the artery to keep it open and prevent future narrowing.
Why Consider Intracranial Arterial Stenting?
Minimally invasive – No open brain surgery required.
Restores blood flow – Reducing the risk of stroke and neurological symptoms.
Quick recovery – Most patients can go home within a day.
Who is a Candidate for This Procedure?
Have significant artery narrowing (usually >70%) putting them at high risk for
stroke.
Have had strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) despite being on medication
Have symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, or speech difficulties related to
poor brain circulation.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been diagnosed with intracranial artery stenosis or have experienced symptoms of reduced brain blood flow, contact us today to see if intracranial arterial stenting is the right treatment for you. Our expert team is here to help you find the best options for stroke prevention and brain health!
Intracranial Arterial Stenting: A Treatment for Narrowed Brain Arteries
The arteries in your brain are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to keep your brain functioning properly. When these arteries become narrowed (stenosis) due to plaque buildup or other conditions, blood flow is restricted, increasing the risk of stroke and other neurological symptoms. Intracranial arterial stenting is a minimally invasive procedure designed to open these narrowed arteries and restore normal blood flow.
What Causes Intracranial Arterial Narrowing?
Several conditions can lead to intracranial stenosis, including:
Atherosclerosis – A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the brain’s arteries.
Vasculitis – Inflammation of the blood vessels.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) – A condition that affects artery structure.
Previous strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) – Can cause scarring or narrowing of brain arteries.
How Intracranial Arterial Stenting Works
This procedure widens the blocked artery using a tiny, flexible stent, helping to reduce the risk of stroke and improve blood flow to the brain
Step-by-Step Procedure:
1. A small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, typically in the wrist or leg.
2. Using advanced imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the narrowed brain artery.
3. A tiny balloon is inflated to gently open the artery.
4. A stent (a small mesh tube) is placed in the artery to keep it open and prevent future narrowing.
Why Consider Intracranial Arterial Stenting?
Minimally invasive – No open brain surgery required.
Restores blood flow – Reducing the risk of stroke and neurological symptoms.
Quick recovery – Most patients can go home within a day.
Who is a Candidate for This Procedure?
Intracranial stenting may be recommended for patients who:
Have significant artery narrowing (usually >70%) putting them at high risk for stroke.
Have had strokes or mini-strokes (TIAs) despite being on medication.
Have symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, or speech difficulties related to poor brain circulation.
Continue to have symptoms despite maximal medical therapy, including blood thinners and cholesterol-lowering medications.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been diagnosed with intracranial artery stenosis or have experienced
symptoms of reduced brain blood flow, contact us today to see if intracranial arterial
stenting is the right treatment for you. Our expert team is here to help you find the best
options for stroke prevention and brain health!