Angioplasty and Stent Insertion
What is an angioplasty and stent insertion? Angioplasty and stent insertion is used to treat narrowing in an artery. Angioplasty uses a small, sausage-shaped balloon to stretch the artery open and improve blood flow. The stent is a small, metal cylinder that acts like a small scaffold to hold the artery permanently open. Angioplasty is... View ArticleCarotid Stenting
What is carotid stenting? Carotid stenting is when a small, expandable, thin wire device (called a stent) is placed into one of the main arteries that carries blood to the front part of the brain (carotid artery), as it has become partially blocked with abnormal thickening of the artery wall called ‘plaque’. If the supply... View ArticleCT Coronary Angiography (CTCA)
What is a computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA)? Angiography is the X-ray imaging of blood vessels using contrast agents injected into the bloodstream (see Angiography). CTCA uses computed tomography (CT) scanning to take pictures or images (angiograms) of the coronary arteries of the beating heart. These arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, and disease... View ArticleEmbolisation of Head, Neck and Spinal Tumours
What is embolisation of head, neck and spinal tumours? Head, neck and spinal tumours (or growths) can occur on the coverings of the brain called meninges as well as anywhere in the head or neck region. These tumours can also occur in the back bone (spinal column). Structures inside the spinal column such as nerves... View ArticleInferior Vena Cava Filters
What is an inferior vena cava filter? Inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) are mechanical devices that are designed to stop blood clots moving from the legs or pelvis into the heart or lungs. Small clots do not usually result in any problems. Larger blood clots travelling to the lung can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing,... View ArticleInterventional Radiological Treatment of Intracranial (Brain) Aneurysms
What is an intracranial (brain) aneurysm? An intracranial (brain) aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning of the wall of an artery, which is a type of blood vessel carrying blood to the brain. The aneurysm is like a small sac and is localised, meaning it is limited to a small area, within the artery. In the... View ArticleSAH Vasospasm Endovascular Treatment
What is SAH Vasospasm Endovascular Treatment? Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is the release of blood into the space around the brain that contains fluid. It is within this space that the main arteries supplying blood to the brain are located before they enter the brain. SAH usually comes from a ruptured (burst) aneurysm on an artery.... View ArticleSelective Internal Radiation Therapy [SIRT]: SIR-Spheres®
What is SIRT? Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) is a treatment for liver cancers or tumours that delivers millions of tiny radioactive microspheres or beads called SIR-Spheres® directly to the liver tumours. SIR-Spheres® are about one third the diameter of a strand of hair in size and they release a type of radiation energy called... View ArticleSpinal Cord Embolisation (AVM/DAVF)
What is a Spinal Cord Embolisation (AVM/DAVF)? The spinal cord is an extension of the brain that is situated inside the spinal column (or backbone), which connects the nerves from the brain to the rest of the body. This enables the brain to control movements of limbs and internal organs, such as the urinary bladder... View ArticleTraumatic Vascular Injury – Head & Neck
What is traumatic vascular injury to the head & neck? Traumatic vascular injuries can be either: A blunt injury to the chest, neck or head, which can result in damage to the blood vessels supplying the brain and can be caused by: forceful compression or pressure from a seat belt during a motor vehicle accident;... View ArticleVascular Closure Devices
What are vascular closure devices? A vascular closure device is usually a piece of collagen (a fibrous protein found in skin, bone and connective tissue), metallic clip or suture (stitch) designed to provide immediate sealing of the small puncture made in an artery after an angiogram. Angiography is the imaging of blood vessels that appear... View ArticleVenous Access
What is venous access? In radiology, venous access generally refers to central venous access, which is the insertion of a specially made thin, flexible tube, known as a catheter, into a central vein. The central veins are the large veins within the chest and abdomen. With a catheter in place, treatments such as chemotherapy or... View ArticlePage last modified on 16/3/2018.
