Cerebrovascular Disease

Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect blood flow and the blood vessels in the brain. Problems with blood flow may occur from blood vessels narrowing (stenosis), clot formation (thrombosis), artery blockage (embolism), or blood vessel rupture (hemorrhage). Lack of sufficient blood flow (also referred to as ischemia) affects brain tissue and may cause a stroke.

Cerebrovascular Conditions

Cerebrovascular conditions include:

Optimal treatment of these varied cerebrovascular disorders requires experience with a wide spectrum of techniques, including complex cranial microsurgery, and minimally invasive techniques such as endovascular surgery and radiosurgery.

Whatever the condition and cause, it is our goal to maintain or restore proper blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain as soon as possible.

The University of Michigan Cerebrovascular Program

Our team of neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists treat patients who require urgent care for a stroke or bleeding in the brain. We also consult upon patients who are considered stable, but require diagnosis and treatment for a condition like a cerebral aneurysm or a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

Experience, outcomes and quality of life are all things that people suffering from a cerebrovascular condition need to consider when looking for treatment options. As one of only a few places in the country that offers comprehensive expertise treating the most complex cerebrovascular disorders with both advanced microsurgery, radiosurgery, and minimally invasive endovascular treatment options, U-M is leading the way in patient safety, patient satisfaction and quality outcomes.

The University of Michigan is the only hospital in Michigan with two neurosurgeons dually-trained in neuroendovascular surgery and open cerebrovascular surgery. Moreover, our dual trained neurosurgeons work shoulder to shoulder with two superb interventional neuroradiologists to create an interdisciplinary team of 4 specialists with advanced training in the minimally invasive endovascular techniques. This truly collaborative team of specialists - who leverage their combined talents for the benefit of their patients by discussing their most challenging cases in a weekly interdisciplinary cerebrovascular conference - makes the University of Michigan one of only a handful of hospitals in the entire country with such a large team of highly trained specialists. Our team approach creates an environment of collegiality and innovation from which our patients can glean the most carefully considered and cutting edge treatments by some of the most experienced and highly trained physicians in the field.

Our patients are also privy to our NeuroInterventional Radiology suite – a first of its kind in the nation –which allows us to both detect and repair aneurysms, strokes and other cerebrovascular conditions all in the same room. The suite reduces the wait time between diagnosis and treatment in both urgent and elective cases, and gives our physicians the necessary information to safely and quickly plan minimally invasive treatment, when indicated.

The suite allows U-M physicians to perform both CT and CT angiography scans that are needed before an interventional procedure, and then to perform the procedure without moving the patient.

Common Surgical and Endovascular Procedures for Cerebrovascular Disease at Michigan Medicine

  • Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms
  • Microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms
  • Endovascular treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs and AVFs)
  • Radiosurgery of AVMs
  • Microsurgical treatment of AVMs and AVFs
  • Endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis
  • Microsurgical treatment of carotid stenosis (Carotid Endarterectomy)

The U-M Cerebrovascular team has performed minimally invasive and complex cranial Cerebrovascular procedures for nearly 15 years, offering patients a high level of experience and access to new options.

Since 2000, U-M physicians have treated over 1500 patients using minimally invasive options. We have also treated more than 3000 patients with cerebrovascular disease.