Goal:
To deliver the safest care with the best long-term results by a multi-team approach involving interventional neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neuroanesthesia, and neuro-intensive care.

Experience:
It is our belief that expertise in multiple areas must be brought to bear in the treatment of aneurysms and vascular malformations. Over the past 30 years, this has enabled us to develop innovative approaches in every discipline. The application of these advances to patient care has in turn allowed us to treat diseases deemed inapproachable historically. Consultation between the interventional neuroradiology team and neurosurgery team takes place at every stage of initial evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of each patient.

In the diagnosis of aneurysms and vascular malformations, the use of advanced microcatheter techniques by neuro-radiology has clarified the complex anatomy of aneurysms and vascular malformations such that a logical and efficient approach can be taken to facilitate treatment. Should the treatment entail occlusion of abnormal blood channels, novel materials have been developed for safe application to specific targets. Achievement of treatment goals is then followed up with periodic evaluations. In the event that surgical intervention is required, the neurosurgery team will assume the continued care of the patient.

In the surgical treatment of complex aneurysms and vascular malformations, novel approaches have been developed and perfected such that diseases deep in the brain can be treated with excellent results. In addition to the design of new surgical approaches, the neurosurgical team has also cooperated with the neuroanesthesia team in the development of brain protection methods to preserve critical brain functions during operative procedures. This has led to the development of elective barbiturate anesthesia which has in turn enabled us to approach diseases in brain regions heretofore deemed inoperable. Recently, we have also employed ultrasound techniques to refine the definition of the brain anatomy and vascular physiology during surgery to further perfect treatment methods. Once treatment is completed, the neuroradiology team then enters the operating room and performs the necessary diagnostic tests to ensure that the ideal results are achieved. This allows the neurosurgeon to fine tune any treatment while the patient is still under anesthesia. This will also eliminate the necessity of further operations should the results not be ideal.

Once the operation is complete, each patient is cared for in an intensive care unit where innovative techniques of the brain function monitoring and treatment have been developed. In particular, nurses skilled in the treatment of complex neurological issues will attend to each patient on a round-the-clock basis and assist the medical team to ensure an excellent outcome.

As a result of these cooperative efforts over the past 30 years, the neurovascular team at UCSD has been able to develop and deliver cutting edge treatment to patients with complex aneurysms and vascular malformations from San Diego, the United States, and abroad.

Contact Information:
Please contact us through Dr. Hoi Sang U, Professor, Division of Neurosurgery by calling the UCSD Message Center (619-543-6737) or his Assistant (619-543-5540) or the Chief Resident of Neurosurgery (619-543-6737). These individuals will facilitate consultation with different members of the Neurovascular Team.