Neurointerventional Radiology

Leading-Edge Neurointerventional Radiology in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

UMass Memorial Health is home to one of the busiest neurointerventional radiology programs in the Northeast. We have a long history of innovation and use sophisticated technology to deliver safe, precise care. Whether you need a routine procedure or lifesaving emergency treatment, our team is here for you.

Conditions We Treat Using Neurointerventional Radiology

Our neurointerventional radiologists specialize in conditions affecting the blood vessels in your brain and spine (neurovascular conditions). Some common conditions we treat include: 

• Stroke
• Cerebral aneurysm
• Narrowed arteries in the head and neck due to atherosclerosis
• Nosebleeds
• Vascular malformations, including brain arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas and hemangiomas

We also offer specialized procedures to relieve low back pain caused by spinal compression and compression fractures.

National Recognition in Neurointerventional Radiology

Neurointerventional radiologists play an essential role in emergency stroke treatment. UMass Memorial Medical Center is a leader in stroke care and a regional hub for patients who need rapid diagnosis and treatment. Our stroke team has received several national distinctions for excellence, including:

• Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center: We have the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest level of certification. This designation reflects our ability to treat the most complex stroke cases.
• Stroke Gold Plus Award: We have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award for six years in a row (2020-2025). The Gold Plus Award is the highest award given. It recognizes consistent compliance with quality measures for at least 24 months.

Neurointerventional Radiology Procedures We Perform

Neurointerventional radiology procedures can help diagnose, treat and even prevent neurovascular conditions. To access your blood vessels, we insert a long, thin tube (catheter) into an artery, usually in your groin, and use image guidance to thread it to the affected area.

We perform neurointerventional radiology procedures in a dedicated suite with real-time, 3D X-ray imaging. This technology allows us to safely and accurately operate inside narrow, sensitive areas without large incisions. Our neurointerventional radiology procedures include:

Cerebral Angiogram

Cerebral angiogram is a diagnostic procedure. We inject contrast dye through the catheter. The dye shows the details of your blood vessels on X-rays. A cerebral angiogram helps detect stroke, aneurysms, vascular malformations and narrowed arteries.

Treatments for Neurovascular Conditions

Neurointerventional radiology procedures help treat several conditions:

Treating and Preventing Stroke

• Mechanical thrombectomy: We use a device to remove clots that don’t respond to medications. Read more about mechanical thrombectomy.
• Stent placement: We place hollow mesh tubes (stents) in narrowed arteries to prevent a stroke.
• Thrombolysis: We deliver clot-busting drugs to restore blood flow to the brain.

Treating Brain Aneurysms

• Coil embolization: We place platinum coils in the aneurysm to fill the bulge and prevent blood from entering. Find out more about embolization for brain aneurysms.
• Flow diversion: We place a hollow tube in the artery to direct blood flow through the blood vessel and away from the aneurysm. Experts at UMass Memorial pioneered flow diversion technology.
• Stent-assisted coil embolization: We place a stent inside a blood vessel and use a coil to fill the aneurysm. This method is for aneurysms with a wide opening and those in large vessels.

Treating Vascular Malformations and Nosebleeds

We use embolization to treat these conditions, inserting coils, chemicals or glue into a blood vessel to seal it.

Neurointerventional Radiology Procedures for Chronic Lower Back Pain

If standard therapies don’t provide relief from low back pain, you have other care options. Our neurointerventional radiologists offer treatments to relieve pain from spinal compression and related fractures.

We perform these procedures through small punctures in your skin using real-time imaging to ensure accurate placement of the instruments: 

• Kyphoplasty: We inflate a tiny balloon inside the fracture to relieve compression, then fill the area with bone cement. This procedure restores the natural shape of the bone and stabilizes your spine. Learn more about kyphoplasty.
• Vertebroplasty: We inject bone cement directly into a fractured vertebra. See more about vertebroplasty.
• Spinal radiofrequency ablation: We use heat to destroy targeted areas of nerve tissue, preventing pain signals from traveling to the brain.