Patient information in your language
Dr Nachiket Kaneria — Interventional & Neurointerventional RadiologyDr Nachiket KaneriaInterventional &
Neurointerventional Radiology
Menu

Home / Patient information

Neurointervention · Ahmedabad

Stroke and the brain’s blood vessels.

Some brain and neck vessel conditions can be treated from inside the blood vessels. Understanding the diagnosis comes before choosing a procedure.

Recognise a possible stroke

Sudden changes.
Immediate action.

Know the warning signs →
FaceOne side drooping
ArmSudden weakness
SpeechSlurred or difficult

Call 108 or seek emergency care immediately. Note when the person was last well. Do not wait for an appointment or a reply to a message.

What neurointervention means

A specialist guides fine instruments through the arteries or veins under X-ray imaging. Selected clots, aneurysms, abnormal connections and narrowed arteries may be treated this way. Some conditions are managed with medicines, observation, surgery or radiosurgery instead.

Dr Nachiket Kaneria’s practice includes stroke thrombectomy, aneurysm coiling, flow diverters, AVM and carotid-cavernous fistula embolisation, carotid stenting and diagnostic cerebral angiography.

What determines the choice?

The team considers the type and location of the problem, symptoms, scan findings, other illnesses and the risks of both treatment and leaving it untreated. Decisions can involve neurology, neurosurgery, anaesthesia and intensive care.

Treatment through a blood vessel still has important risks, including bleeding, stroke, vessel injury, reactions to contrast and complications from anaesthesia.

A clot blocking a large brain artery

For selected strokes, a temporary device or suction catheter may remove a clot. Emergency scans determine eligibility. Early treatment matters; there is no way to determine suitability from symptoms alone.

Read the stroke guide →

01A large artery is blocked

A large artery is blockedA temporary stent retriever is removed with the clot. Aspiration is another technique. Emergency imaging determines eligibility; recovery is not guaranteed.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryClot

02A retriever engages the clot

A retriever engages the clotA temporary stent retriever is removed with the clot. Aspiration is another technique. Emergency imaging determines eligibility; recovery is not guaranteed.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryClot

03Aim: restore blood flow

Aim: restore blood flowA temporary stent retriever is removed with the clot. Aspiration is another technique. Emergency imaging determines eligibility; recovery is not guaranteed.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryIntended: reopen the artery
Simplified illustration. A temporary stent retriever is removed with the clot. Aspiration is another technique. Emergency imaging determines eligibility; recovery is not guaranteed.

A brain aneurysm

An aneurysm is a bulge in an artery wall. Some can be monitored; others may need coiling, a flow diverter or surgical clipping. A sudden, extremely severe headache, collapse or new neurological symptoms needs emergency assessment.

01An aneurysm opens off the artery

An aneurysm opens off the arteryCoils occupy the aneurysm, not the main artery. Follow-up checks whether the aneurysm remains sealed; some cases need further treatment.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryAneurysm

02Coils sit inside the sac

Coils sit inside the sacCoils occupy the aneurysm, not the main artery. Follow-up checks whether the aneurysm remains sealed; some cases need further treatment.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryAneurysm

03Aim: exclude the sac from flow

Aim: exclude the sac from flowCoils occupy the aneurysm, not the main artery. Follow-up checks whether the aneurysm remains sealed; some cases need further treatment.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryAneurysmMain artery stays open
Simplified illustration. Coils occupy the aneurysm, not the main artery. Follow-up checks whether the aneurysm remains sealed; some cases need further treatment.

01Aneurysm opens from the parent artery

Aneurysm opens from the parent arteryA flow diverter sits in the parent artery, not inside the sac. Aneurysm closure develops over time; antiplatelet treatment and follow-up are essential parts of selection and care.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryAneurysm

02A mesh device spans the neck

A mesh device spans the neckA flow diverter sits in the parent artery, not inside the sac. Aneurysm closure develops over time; antiplatelet treatment and follow-up are essential parts of selection and care.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryAneurysm

03Aim: redirect flow along the artery

Aim: redirect flow along the arteryA flow diverter sits in the parent artery, not inside the sac. Aneurysm closure develops over time; antiplatelet treatment and follow-up are essential parts of selection and care.ICA: artery entering the brainBrain arteryAneurysmMain artery stays open
Simplified illustration. A flow diverter sits in the parent artery, not inside the sac. Aneurysm closure develops over time; antiplatelet treatment and follow-up are essential parts of selection and care.

Abnormal connections between vessels

A brain AVM contains a tangle of abnormal vessels. Dural and carotid-cavernous fistulas are different kinds of abnormal connection. Embolisation may be part of treatment, sometimes in stages and alongside other approaches.

01Arteries connect through a tangle

Arteries connect through a tangleA brain AVM has a nidus between feeding arteries and draining veins. Embolisation may be staged or combined with surgery or radiosurgery.Abnormal vessel tangleArtery inVein out

02A catheter reaches selected feeders

A catheter reaches selected feedersA brain AVM has a nidus between feeding arteries and draining veins. Embolisation may be staged or combined with surgery or radiosurgery.Abnormal vessel tangleArtery inVein out

03Embolic material closes channels

Embolic material closes channelsA brain AVM has a nidus between feeding arteries and draining veins. Embolisation may be staged or combined with surgery or radiosurgery.Abnormal vessel tangleArtery inVein outSelected abnormal channels treated
Simplified illustration. A brain AVM has a nidus between feeding arteries and draining veins. Embolisation may be staged or combined with surgery or radiosurgery.

See the separate fistula illustrations →

A narrowed artery in the neck

Risk-factor treatment and medicines are fundamental. Selected patients may benefit from surgery to remove plaque or a stent. Carotid stenting is not the same as routine stenting of an artery inside the brain.

01Plaque narrows the carotid

Plaque narrows the carotidThe external carotid has neck branches; the cervical internal carotid does not. A distal filter is one protection approach. Selection also considers medical treatment and surgery.Common carotidInternal carotidExternal carotid

02Balloon and protection device

Balloon and protection deviceThe external carotid has neck branches; the cervical internal carotid does not. A distal filter is one protection approach. Selection also considers medical treatment and surgery.Common carotidInternal carotidExternal carotidProtection filter

03A stent supports the artery

A stent supports the arteryThe external carotid has neck branches; the cervical internal carotid does not. A distal filter is one protection approach. Selection also considers medical treatment and surgery.Common carotidInternal carotidExternal carotidStent across the narrowing
Simplified illustration. The external carotid has neck branches; the cervical internal carotid does not. A distal filter is one protection approach. Selection also considers medical treatment and surgery.

Reference: ACR/RSNA patient information on intracranial vascular treatments. Treatment and recovery are individual; no procedure ensures neurological recovery.