Stroke and Vascular Lesions

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the UW has one of the largest vascular neurosurgery programs in the world and is recognized as a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of neurovascular problems. For example, we treat over 200 patients each year with hemorrhages from aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Patients with vascular problems, including aneurysms, AVMs, carotid disease, and Moya Moya disease, are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-anesthesiologists, and interventional neuro-radiologists. Diagnostic facilities include a state-of-the art Cerebrovascular Lab, Cerebral Ischemia Evaluation Unit (MRI, SPECT, and XENON CT scanners), and dedicated neuro-radiology suites. In addition, treatment options available to patients include surgical intervention, endovascular procedures, radiotherapy, and radiosurgery. Most importantly, our specialized Neurosurgical and Stroke Intensive Care Units ensure patients the most sophisticated medical care available.

UW Cerebrovascular Laboratory:
http://depts.washington.edu/uwtcdlab/

UW Stroke Center at Harborview Medical Center:
http://www.uwmedicine.org/Facilities/Harborview/CentersOfEmphasis/Neuro/StrokeCenter/

For more information on vascular lesions, please read the following primer:

Vascular lesions of the brain and spinal cord are responsible for causing strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and bleeding episodes. These lesions include aneurysms, vascular malformations, and narrowing of the major blood vessels of the brain (carotid artery, vertebral artery, etc.).

A cerebral aneurysm is an abnormal out-pouching or ballooning of a brain blood vessel. It occurs at a weak point along the blood vessel wall and tends to rupture spontaneously due to its inherent fragility. Strokes, major bleeding episodes and death may result if these abnormalities are not treated effectively.

Vascular malformations refer to an abnormal connection between arteries, veins or both. They include malformations of normal veins (venous angioma) or arteries going directly to veins (arteriovenous malformations or AVM's). These malformations are thought to be formed during fetal development; the direct cause, however, is unknown. Preventing the rupture of vascular malformations is one of the major reasons that early neurosurgical treatment is recommended for these disorders

Narrowing of the major blood vessels of the brain, including the carotid artery and vertebral artery, may result from atherosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels), fibrous dysplasia (thickening of walls of blood vessels), or other diseases (Moya Moya disease, trauma, etc.). Unless treated, this narrowing often leads to strokes.

Patient Care Introduction | Aneurysms | Brain Mapping | Case Studies | Chiari Malformation
Congenital Abnormalities | Epilepsy | Movement Disorders | Moyamoya Disease | Pain and Spasticity
Pediatrics | Peripheral Nerves | Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy | Spine
Stroke and Vascular Lesions | Trauma | Tumors

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