Scope: Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures

Endovascular neurosurgery is a branch of neurosurgery that focuses on minimally invasive procedures to treat diseases or conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as aneurysms, stroke, and vascular malformations. It is a relatively new field of medicine that combines the use of advanced imaging technology with specialized instruments, catheters, and other devices to treat diseases of the nervous system.

Endovascular neurosurgery addresses a broad range of conditions and diseases. These include: intracranial aneurysms, vascular malformations, cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), stroke, carotid artery stenosis, spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), spinal vascular malformations, cavernous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs), and tumors. Endovascular neurosurgeons use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat these conditions. These techniques include angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound imaging, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

Endovascular neurosurgeons perform a variety of treatments to improve the quality of life for patients with neurological disorders. These treatments include endovascular stenting (stents used to open blocked or narrowed arteries), embolization (blocking off blood vessels to stop bleeding or reduce the size of a tumor), balloon angioplasty (widening narrowed blood vessels), and thrombolysis (using drugs to dissolve blood clots). Endovascular neurosurgeons also perform minimally invasive procedures on the brain and spine.

Endovascular neurosurgery is an important field in the treatment of neurological disorders. For patients who need treatment for neurological disorders, endovascular neurosurgery offers a minimally invasive approach that can be used to improve their quality of life.

Endovascular neurosurgery offers significant advantages over traditional surgical techniques because it is less invasive, faster, more precise, and with fewer risks for patients.

Qualifications, Training, and Certifications OF Endovascular neurosurgery

Endovascular neurosurgery is a very specialized field of medicine that requires extensive training and qualifications. To become an endovascular neurosurgeon, a doctor must first complete neurosurgery training then further training in endovascular neurosurgery.

Endovascular neurosurgeons must possess excellent knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, and vascular imaging, as well as familiarity with the latest technologies and techniques in endovascular neurosurgery. Additionally, they must have strong problem solving and critical thinking skills to accurately diagnose and treat neurological disorders. 

In order to become certified in endovascular neurosurgery, doctors must pass the American Board of Neurological Surgery examination. The board also offers the Neuroendovascular Certification Program, which is designed to assess a doctor's knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. This certification is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and is required for practitioners who wish to specialize in endovascular neurosurgery.

Related Medical Specialties to Endovascular neurosurgery

Endovascular neurosurgery is closely related to other medical specialties, such as neurology, radiology, interventional cardiology, and interventional radiology. 

Neurology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Endovascular neurosurgeons often collaborate with neurologists on cases involving complex neurological disorders.

Radiology focuses on the use of imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists work with endovascular neurosurgeons to diagnose and treat neurological disorders using advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). 

Interventional radiologists use imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases using minimally invasive techniques. They often work with endovascular neurosurgeons on cases involving vascular malformations or other vascular abnormalities in the brain or spine.

Medical-Legal Cases Involving Endovascular Neurosurgery

As with any medical specialty, medical-legal cases involving endovascular neurosurgery can arise if a patient believes their physician or medical facility failed to provide proper care. 

One example is a patient who had undergone the procedure to treat a cerebral arteriovenous malformation and the doctor had used a catheter with an incorrect size, allegedly causing permanent nerve damage.

Another example is a patient who suffered complications after undergoing a thrombolytic procedure to treat a stroke, alleging the doctor had failed to properly diagnose and treat the stroke and had not warned of potential risks of the procedure.

Many others involve an alleged failure of a physician in another field, e.g., emergency medicine, urgent care, to refer a patient for endovascular neurosurgery treatment. In such cases, an endovascular neurosurgeon is needed to evaluate causal relationship to damages.