Neurosurgery Department, UF College of Medicine
Clinical Specialties: Endovascular Neurosurgery
About Endovascular Neurosurgery
Endovasular Neurosurgery (Interventional Neuroradiology) is a subspecialty of radiology and neurousurgery 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 groin, the arm, or sometimes the neck.
Cerebral angiogram
Basic endovascular procedures include:
- Angiography
- imaging the blood vessels to look for abnormalities
- Balloon angioplasty
- 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
- GDC coiling
- placing metal coils within a cerebral aneurysm
- Thrombolysis
- treatment aimed at dissolving blood clots causing stroke
- Biopsy
- taking of a tissue sample from the area of interest for pathological examination
- Radiofrequency ablation (RF/RFA)
- localized destruction of tissue by heat
- Venous access
- insertion and management of specialized kinds of intravenous devices (e.g. PICC lines, Hickman lines, dialysis lines, subcutaneous ports)
At the University of Florida, a large volume of endovascular neurosurgical procedures are performed. Dr. Chris Firment of Radiology, Dr. Brian Hoh and Dr. J Mocco, of Neurosurgery, are the principal team members. They work in close collaboration with Dr. Stephen Lewis to determine which endovascular or open vascular treatments are best for each individual patient. Pediatric patients are treated by Dr. David Pincus.
Related Links:
UF Neurovascular Program, Brochure for patients and families 
(PDF file)
View publications by Dr. Brian Hoh
View publications by Dr. Stephen Lewis
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