Treating Cranial Circulatory Diseases in San Antonio, TX
Blood-flow problems in the brain are not to be taken lightly. Without prompt, expert care, they can have debilitating and even fatal outcomes. At Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we offer extensive knowledge of the brain and its circulatory diseases, allowing us to present you with well-informed, calculated options for treatment.
Choose the neurosurgery center with a history of exceptional results treating a variety of cranial circulatory diseases, including:
Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM)
A tangle of weakened blood vessels within the brain that divert blood away from brain tissue. These occur in less than 1% of the population and people are usually born with them. However, over half of people with AVMs eventually have them burst, which can cause brain damage, paralysis and even fatality. We can use MRI and CT scan tests to reliably detect AVMs and potential bleeding.
Brain Aneurysms
Weak areas in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the brain can “bubble” outward and eventually burst, often causing brain damage or death. Unfortunately, aneurysms typically have no symptoms prior to rupturing, making them difficult to discover. Usually, we find them when searching for other problems.
Subdural Hematomas
This condition refers to blood collecting in the tissues outside of the brain, putting pressure on the brain and causing progressive symptoms such as confusion, headache, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Subdural hematomas typically result from head injuries, and symptoms can arise immediately or over a number of weeks.
Performing cranial surgery with exceptional skill and with the most advanced neurosurgical techniques.
Many circulatory diseases of the brain require surgery. However, depending on the severity of your condition, we may be able to use endoscopic techniques to operate without open brain surgery. In fact, even radiosurgery — which isn’t surgery at all — can effectively treat some of these conditions. Some of the advanced techniques we use include:
- Craniotomy/craniectomy – These surgeries involve removing a portion of the skull to access the brain directly. In the case of craniectomies, this portion is left off for an extended period of time to allow the brain to swell without damage. Sometimes, the circulatory damage requires direct intervention and removal of the malformed blood vessels.
- Endoscopic-assisted craniotomy – Similar to a standard craniotomy, except we only need to make a keyhole incision in your skull. Through this small hole, we can insert a camera to visualize the area inside, shortening your recovery time and reducing your scarring.
- Burr hole trephination – By creating a small hole over the area containing a subdural hematoma, we can suction out the excess blood to relieve pressure and prevent damage.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery – Treating AVMs is an exciting application of radiotherapy, which is often only associated with cancer treatment. By hitting your AVM with a precise dose of radiation from multiple angles, we can damage the malformed vessels, turning them into scar tissue and forcing them to clot. This eliminates their potential to rupture and cause damage.
The success of these procedures is highly dependent on the skill of the surgeon. At Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we have an outstanding record of successfully solving these complex circulatory diseases. And with our minimally invasive capabilities, many patients can avoid scars from open surgery while making a speedy recovery and returning to their life.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about how Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants specializes in treating cranial circulatory diseases in the San Antonio communities of Medical Center, Stone Oak, Westover Hills and Southwest, call 210-255-8935 today. You can also request an appointment using the form on this page.