By bringing deep experience in the field and staying at the forefront of the newest developments in care, RUSH cerebrovascular neurosurgeons offer highly tailored treatment to each patient. We innovate through clinical trials for many pathologies, including aneurysms, strokes, fistulas and subdural hematomas, among others. This allows our team to offer care that patients may not find elsewhere, both for endovascular and open vascular neurosurgeries.
As an early adopter of endovascular treatments, we have a tradition of excellence when it comes to leading the way in cerebrovascular neurosurgery. Our team was the first in Chicago to use a catheter designed specifically to treat conditions through the radial artery rather than the femoral artery in the leg, often allowing for faster recovery times. We were also the first in the city to use a robotic system during diagnostic cerebral angiograms. For complex cases, we often use a hybrid operating room and angiography imaging suite to ensure treatment is successful and provide smoother recovery.
Our neurosurgeons participated in early studies on venous sinus stenting for pseudotumor and have expertise in bypass treatment to prevent strokes due to moyamoya disease. They proctor others on the use of new techniques and devices, including the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) and the Pipeline flow-diverting stent, and teach a new generation of neurosurgeons to provide minimally invasive treatment for cerebrovascular conditions.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Treatment at RUSH?
Any patient in need of cerebrovascular neurosurgery services will find a wide range of personally tailored treatment options at RUSH. Our surgeons have access to cutting-edge devices and clinical trials that offer a full toolbox to suit all needs for endovascular and open vascular procedures.
Patients who need care for unruptured aneurysms or newly diagnosed vascular lesions often come to us for second opinions on recommended treatment and to explore their options from a collaborative team that works across specialties.
Why Refer Patients Here?
Nationally recognized care: U.S. News & World Report includes RUSH University Medical Center on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll and ranks our neurology and neurosurgery program among the best in the nation. Vizient, Inc., also designated RUSH a top performer in its quality and accountability study.
High volumes: RUSH is a comprehensive stroke center certified by the Joint Commission, and we care for a high volume of cerebrovascular patients, including those with stroke, aneurysms and intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages. Our center consistently performs more mechanical thrombectomies for stroke than any hospital in the Chicago area.
Innovative treatment: We conducted the first procedure in the world using the RIST catheter for radial access. It allows our team to perform neurointerventions through a small artery in the wrist, rather than traditional endovascular approaches through the groin, typically resulting in faster recovery times and higher patient satisfaction. We are actively involved in numerous clinical trials for stroke patients and participate in clinical trials for many other conditions, which lets us provide care that patients may not find anywhere else.
Experts with new technologies: We use cutting-edge systems and devices, like the WEB, which allows our team to treat aneurysms with minimally invasive techniques rather than craniotomy. Our neurosurgeons also serve as proctors and teach other neurosurgeons to use new devices and techniques.
A team approach: Our team of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeons and neurologists collaborates with specialty neurologists, neuroradiologists, critical care clinicians and other specialists to provide patients with comprehensive care and options for treatment.
What Is the Process for Referring a Patient?
To refer patients or request a consult, call (312) 563-2783. Patients in need of neurosurgery services for brain conditions will get an appointment within two days, and those in need of spinal care will get an appointment within seven days. Many patients are even offered same day appointments.
Once your patient has an appointment with us, you can expect prompt communication from our team. You will get notified of results from any testing your patient undergoes and recommended treatments. For any care your patient receives, you’ll be updated and included through every step of the process. Our aim is to take a shared and collaborative approach to treatment.
Conditions We Treat
- Acute ischemic stroke
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
- Brain aneurysm
- Carotid artery stenosis
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Cerebral vasospasm
- Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF)
- Epistaxis
- Intracranial stenosis
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage
- Pseudotumor cerebri
- Spinal arteriovenous malformations
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Subdural Hematoma
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Treatments and Tests Offered
- AVM radiosurgery
- AVM resection
- AVM and DAVF embolization
- Carotid angioplasty and stenting
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Cerebral angiography
- Coil embolization, including stent- or balloon-assisted
- Flow-diverting stents
- Spinal angiography
- Spinal DAVF embolization
- Spinal DAVF surgical ligation
- Stent placement (intra- or extracranial)
- Surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms
- Tumor embolization
- Venous sinus stenting
- Vagus nerve stimulation
- Woven EndoBridge (WEB) Aneurysm Embolization System
