The neurosurgeons at UPMC Neurosurgery in Central Pa. perform advanced procedures to treat conditions that affect the blood vessels of your brain and spine.
Why choose UPMC Neurosurgery in Central Pa. for treatment of neurovascular conditions?
Our experts use leading-edge technology and techniques to treat neurovascular conditions that affect the blood vessels of your brain and spine, including:
- State-of-the-art navigation system and microscope. Using an advanced navigation system and microscope, our surgeons can perform neurovascular surgery with pinpoint accuracy. These tools provide a detailed, real-time view of the surgical area and help our surgeons identify specific parts of the brain, spine, and neurovascular system during surgery.
- Three-dimensional (3D) C-arm for intraoperative imaging. A 3D C-arm is a medical imaging device that uses x-ray technology to provide your surgeon with 3D images during surgery. This advanced imaging system helps to increase surgical precision, safety, and accuracy.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Our specialists use stereotactic radiosurgery, which is a noninvasive procedure that delivers targeted doses of radiation directly to blood vessels without damaging the surrounding, healthy tissue.
What are neurovascular conditions?
Neurovascular conditions are serious — and sometimes life-threatening — abnormalities in the blood vessels of the brain or spine. Our specialists diagnose and treat all types of neurovascular conditions, including:.
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVM is a congenital condition, meaning that is it present at birth. AVM affects the connection between the arteries and veins in your brain or spine and prevents blood from flowing between them.
- Cavernous malformation. A cavernous malformation is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels in your brain or spine.
- Cerebral hemorrhage. Bleeding in or around the brain is called a cerebral, or intracerebral, hemorrhage. Cerebral hemorrhages can be caused by injury, high blood pressure, aneurysms, bleeding disorders, tumors, or other blood vessel abnormalities, such as AVM.
- Stroke syndrome. Stroke syndromes refer to group of symptoms that can help your doctors identify the cause of your stroke and the affected artery, as well as the area of your brain that has been injured.
What are the symptoms of neurovascular conditions?
Symptoms of neurovascular conditions vary depending on your specific condition and the blood vessels that are affected. Some neurovascular conditions may not cause any symptoms at all. Common symptoms of neurovascular conditions may include:
- Severe headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
- Vision loss
- Trouble speaking or hearing
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Trouble with balance or coordination
- Trouble with movement, such as walking or holding objects
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness on one side of the body
Who is at risk for neurovascular conditions?
Some neurovascular conditions are present at birth. However, lifestyle habits and family history may increase your risk of developing certain neurovascular conditions. Chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and lack of exercise may put you at a higher risk for neurovascular conditions, such as a stroke.
How can I prevent neurovascular conditions?
You may not be able to control some of your risk factors for neurovascular conditions. However, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling chronic conditions may help to lower your risk.
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Schedule an Appointment (Physician Referral Required):
- Phone: 717-988-9370
- Fax: 717-703-0154
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