Overview Conditions Carotid stenting, when used with angioplasty, is a relatively new procedure especially helpful for patients with a blocked or narrowed carotid artery who would not be good candidates for surgery. The physician accesses the patient's femoral artery through a tiny incision in the groin and threads a catheter up into the patient's neck. Next, the physician inserts a guide wire into the narrowed portion of the carotid artery, clearing plaque buildup if necessary.

Overview Stereotactic radiosurgery is a type of radiation treatment sometimes referred to as “knifeless” surgery that destroys a brain tumor without opening the skull. A CT or MRI scan is used to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor in the brain. High-energy radiation beams are trained on the tumor from different angles.

Overview Treatment Stroke is a Medical Emergency. Call 911. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. Time is critical in stroke treatment. The faster you are taken to an emergency room, the better your chance for a positive outcome. Stroke Strikes BE FAST Not sure whether a person's symptoms are a stroke? B.E.F.A.S.T. and quickly check for any of these signs of stroke:.

Overview Neurosurgery includes a variety of procedures to treat and correct neurological diseases and disorders. Many neurological conditions can be treated with surgery, including: Aneurysm  Brain Tumors  Carotid Stenosis  Cerebrovascular Malformations  Epilepsy  Hypervascular Tumors  Pituitary Tumors  Skull Base Tumors  Spinal Cord Tumors  Spine Pain  Stroke  Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)  Traumatic Brain Injury  Vertebral Compression Fractures  The expert surgeons at Inova Neuroscience Institute are your best resource for surgical options. Call 703-776-4700 for information.

Overview Conditions tPA is a powerful and effective clot-dissolving drug administered during a minimally invasive treatment to treat stroke. tPA is often administered in an emergency setting to minimize the serious, often life-threatening effects of a blocked blood vessel. The interventional physician threads a catheter up to the site of the blockage in the brain, a procedure known as intra-arterial thrombolysis.

Overview A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a sudden or temporary loss of blood flow to an area of the brain, usually lasting a few minutes to one hour. A TIA is not a stroke, but it may be a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur. Symptoms of a TIA and stroke are often similar. Always call 911 for medical help immediately if you suspect a person is having a TIA or a stroke. A TIA may be related to severe narrowing or blockage or from small pieces of an atherosclerotic plaque breaking off, traveling through the bloodstream, and lodging in small blood vessels in the brain.

Overview Treatments "Head injury" is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that occur to the scalp, skull, brain and underlying tissue and blood vessels in the head. Head injuries are commonly referred to as brain injury, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), depending on the extent of the head trauma. The person may have varying degrees of symptoms associated with the severity of the head injury. The following are the most common symptoms of a head injury. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

Overview Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small battery is implanted in the chest. This sends electrical pulses to the vagal nerve in the neck. The goal is to block the faulty brain messages that cause seizures caused by epilepsy. Research shows that about 30 percent of people treated with VNS experience a major improvement in seizure control. Another 30 percent experience some improvement. Most patients who undergo VNS must continue on epilepsy drugs.

Overview Vasospasm is a constriction of the arteries in the brain that can occur after cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain). After a hemorrhage, blood can break down in the area surrounding the affected artery. The constriction (vasospasm) is a reaction of the arteries to the presence of blood products. It usually occurs five to ten days after the bleeding and can affect up to one third of patients who have had a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Because vasospasm can lead to stroke, it is important to treat the constriction and restore blood flow.

Overview A vertebral compression fracture is a break in one of the bones that make up the spine. When one or more of these bones fracture, they compress and collapse. Vertebral compression fractures are most often caused by osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the body's bones and causes them to lose density, making them prone to fracture. They can also be caused by a spinal tumor. Vertebral compression fractures cause severe back pain and can significantly reduce a patient’s mobility.