An aneurysm occurs when the walls of blood vessels are weakened, causing a blood-filled bulge. Left untreated, an aneurysm may rupture, resulting in hemorrhage or even death. Aneurysms most often occur at the base of the brain or near the heart.
Arteriovenous malformations, or AVMs, are abnormal connections between veins and arteries, which commonly occur in the central nervous system. AVMs often do not cause any symptoms, but can sometimes cause epilepsy, headache and dizziness.
The Washington University neurovascular program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital provides a team of specialists experienced with these and other neurovascular disorders:
- Aneurysms
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Carotid cavernous fistulas
- Carotid, vertebral and cerebral arterial stenoses
- Strokes
- Vascular tumors
Treatment for Aneurysms and Other Neurovascular Disorders
Our specialists treat patients in the most technologically advanced facility in the region. Both surgical and endovascular (minimally invasive) techniques are used.
Neurosurgical Techniques
- Aneurysms: microsurgical repair, performed with intraoperative angiography for real-time assessment
- AVMs: microsurgical resection, functional cortical localization, computerized surgical navigation
- Cerebrovascular stenoses: endarterectomy and bypass procedures
Endovascular Techniques
- Aneurysms: GDC (Guglielmi detachable coil) treatment
- AVMs: embolization
- Carotid cavernous fistulas: transarterial or transvenous occlusions
- Cerebrovascular stenoses: angioplasty, stenting
- Strokes: intra-arterial thrombolysis
- Vascular tumors: embolization, novel intra-arterial chemotherapy techniques
- Vasospasm: endovascular management using balloon angioplasty or drug infusion
- Spinal malformations: spinal angiography and embolization
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Benefits to the Patients
Our patients benefit from the skill of the highly specialized and experienced physicians, who perform more than 1,100 cerebral angiographies and 200-300 neurointerventional procedures each year.
We also have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and surgical technology, including two Siemens machines designed specifically for cerebral angiography and three Contraves-Zeiss operating microscopes. Care is provided in the most advanced facilities in the region, such as the 20-bed Neurology-Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, which serves more than 1,000 patients each year.
Another benefit we provide patients is the opportunity to participate in unique clinical research protocols. This can provide patients access to the latest techniques and therapies available.
For a referral to a Washington University neurologist or neurosurgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call
.