HydroCoil Embolic System angiography from left to right: pre-coiling, post-coiling, 12-month follow-up and 24-month follow-up

Surgery to open the skull is no longer the only option when patients have aneurysms caused by weakening or ballooning of blood vessels in the brain. Interventional neuroradiologists on staff at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center perform a minimally invasive coil embolization procedure to help prevent intact aneurysms from bursting and ruptured aneurysms from bleeding again.

"This is an exciting option for certain patients," says Raj Agrawal, MD, an interventional neuroradiologist on staff at Desert Springs Hospital. "Instead of undergoing major surgery, a minimally invasive treatment may help save some patients' lives."

During a coiling procedure, doctors insert a thin catheter into the patient's leg, thread it through blood vessels until it reaches the brain and insert tiny platinum coils into the aneurysm. The coils conform to the shape and size of the aneurysm and block blood flow to the weakened blood vessels.

"Preventing blood flow to the aneurysm greatly diminishes the risk of rupturing," Dr. Agrawal explains. "Coiling embolization is a safe and effective procedure in most cases. Patients who can have this procedure instead of open surgery tend to spend less time in the hospital and recover faster."

Other Advanced Procedures
Neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists on staff at Desert Springs Hospital work together to evaluate patients and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Coiling embolization isn't for everyone with an aneurysm, and it is just one of the cutting-edge radiology services available at Desert Springs Hospital.

HydroCoil Embolic System, the coils used to stop cerebral aneurysms Images courtesy of Micro Vention®, Aliso Viejo, CA

Interventional radiologists also perform transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures to treat patients with complications of liver cirrhosis. For TIPS procedures, doctors insert small stents into the liver to reroute blood flow and reduce pressure in abnormal veins.

Some patients with carotid artery disease may be candidates for carotid stenting procedures. As part of a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of stents to open blockages in carotid arteries, Desert Springs Hospital performs carotid stenting procedures in certain patients who are at high risk for traditional open surgery.

Comprehensive Care Close to Home
"We have one of the most complete radiology programs in the area," Dr. Agrawal says. "Desert Springs Hospital is equipped with advanced technology that allows us to offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures that meet our patients' radiology needs."

Desert Springs Hospital's Radiology Department has multi-service interventional radiology and nuclear medicine suites, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging technology, mammography, ultrasound and a 16-slice computed tomography scanner that performs traditional scans as well as angiographies. For more information about the hospital's radiology services, please visit www.desertspringshospital.net.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106