Cerebrovascular Disease Program

Exceptional Cerebrovascular Disease Care in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

Diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular disease in earlier stages can help you avoid a life-altering stroke. We also offer advanced therapies for brain tumors and vascular malformations. You receive services from highly skilled, experienced cerebrovascular neurosurgeons and neurointerventional radiologists, many of whom are leaders in the field. They work with additional specialists to help you heal.

Cerebrovascular Conditions We Treat

Experts at UMass Memorial Health excel in treating rare and common types of cerebrovascular disease, including:

• Arteriovenous fistula
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
• Carotid artery disease
• Cavernous malformation
• Cerebral aneurysm
• Intracranial hemorrhage
• Stroke (brain attack)

Our Cerebrovascular Disease Services

Cerebrovascular neurosurgeons and neurointerventional radiologists optimize blood flow to the brain with services that include:  

Cerebral Angiography

This minimally invasive test uses long, thin tubes (catheters) with instruments at the tip to take X-rays of the insides of your blood vessels. We use cerebral angiography to detect blood flow issues and guide treatments.

Endovascular Surgery

Endovascular surgery also uses catheters, enabling us to deliver treatments through tiny incisions. Procedures may include widening narrow passages or destroying targeted areas of tissue (embolization) to halt blood flow to a tumor.  

Microsurgery

Cerebrovascular surgeons use a powerful microscope that provides enhanced views of treatment areas. This method enables us to deliver advanced treatments using small incisions. We can remove tumors in delicate areas or repair vascular malformations with exceptional precision.

Open Craniotomy

In some cases, traditional open surgery is best. Cerebrovascular surgeons carefully create an opening in the skull to access the treatment area. We may perform a craniotomy to care for aneurysms, repair malformations or remove deep-seated brain tumors.

Carotid Artery Angioplasty and Stenting

This procedure treats narrowing in the blood vessels supplying the brain or spine. Experts inflate a tiny balloon to widen the area and place a hollow mesh device (stent) to keep it open. Angioplasty and stenting can prevent a stroke. If you've recently had a stroke, it may reduce the likelihood of a second one.