Minimally Invasive Procedures to Treat Neurologic Conditions
Interventional neurology is a leading-edge approach that is dramatically changing the field of neurosurgery.
Loyola Medicine’s team of interventional neurologists have specialized training to diagnose and treat brain and spine conditions that would have previously required open surgery, using minimally invasive procedures.
Loyola’s highly skilled neurointerventionalists use minimally invasive procedures with catheters to greatly reduce healing time, lower the level of pain and lead to less scarring and blood loss.
With services available 24/7, Loyola’s interventional neurologists work closely with neurosurgeons, neurologists and otolaryngologists, who specialize in ear, nose and throat disorders.
Why Choose Loyola for Interventional Neurology?
Loyola's neurology and neurosurgery department provides exceptional care in an academic setting while training future leaders in neurology and neurosurgery.
For nine years in a row, Loyola’s Stroke Center has been recognized by the American Stroke Association with its Get with the Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for our commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care.
Loyola is also the only academic medical center in the Chicago area accredited as a stroke specialty program by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) International. Loyola University Medical Center is certified by The Joint Commission as a comprehensive stroke center.
Our neuro intensive care unit is equipped with continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) and video monitoring for adults and children and is staffed by certified technologists and trained neurology nurses, who have earned Magnet status.
What Do Interventional Neurologists Do?
Neuro-interventional treatment of neurological and vascular diseases uses a microcatheter, or tiny tube, that is inserted through a tiny incision in the groin and guided through blood vessels to the brain.
With this minimally invasive, catheter-based approach, Loyola’s interventional neurology specialists can both diagnose and treat a variety of conditions:
- Brain aneurysm — Brain aneurysms are treated by placing metallic coils in the aneurysm to prevent it from rupturing
- Carotid artery stenosis — Carotid artery stenosis is treated by opening the arteries of the heart with a stent
- Compression fractures of the spine — Compression fractures of the spine are treated by injecting cement into fractured vertebrae
- Intracranial stenosis — Intracranial stenosis is treated by opening the arteries of the brain with a stent
- Moyamoya disease — Moyamoya disease is assessed through interventional diagnosis
- Stroke — Strokes are treated through clot-busting medications that open the arteries or veins of stroke victims
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) — Transient ischemic attacks (TIA), or mini-strokes, are treated through clot-busting medications that open the arteries or veins of TIA victims
Interventional neurologists can also perform diagnostic angiographies for adults and children. Other interventional neurology procedures may also be performed to prepare for radiation therapy or another surgery, such as stopping the blood supply to a tumor prior to surgery.
Improving Treatment through Research and Clinical Trials
As an academic medical center, Loyola Medicine is dedicated to improving future treatments by conducting research on new medications and protocols. Loyola’s patients benefit from research discoveries made here.
Learn about Loyola’s current clinical trials
