Division of Interventional Neuroradiology | NYU Langone Health

Department of Radiology Divisions Division of Interventional Neuroradiology

Division of Interventional Neuroradiology

The Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, part of NYU Langone Health’s Department of Radiology, specializes in advanced imaging and image-guiding techniques to diagnose and treat neurovascular conditions of the brain and spine using minimally invasive procedures.

Many of the conditions we commonly treat, including cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and stroke or vessel blockage, can be effectively diagnosed with angiograms and managed with endovascular techniques or microneurosurgery, without the need for open surgery.

As an internationally acclaimed center of excellence, our members proudly contribute to advancements to the field of interventional neuroradiology under the leadership of Peter K. Nelson, MD, our director. Past innovations include the Neuroform® Microdelivery Stent and the Pipeline Embolization Device, two developments that revolutionized the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

Our renowned faculty regularly publish in top interventional neuroradiology journals, including the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery, American Journal of Neuroradiology, and Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Interventional Neuroradiology Education

We are proud to offer a two-year Interventional Neuroradiology Fellowship for radiologists who wish to become neurointerventionalists.

Medical students and residents can also participate in interventional neuroradiology training experiences and learn about diagnostic and interventional procedures for neurovascular conditions on an elective basis. As part of NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s MD curriculum, medical students have the opportunity to spend time on the radiology service during a radiology selective and a neuroradiology elective. Our radiology residencies offer options to explore both diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Interventional Neuroradiology Research

Our researchers participate in projects that explore multiple aspects of interventional neuroradiology, with a particular focus on the design of intracranial stents. We have been involved in many of the groundbreaking clinical trials related to the treatment of cerebral aneurysms with flow diversion devices, starting with the publication of the landmark Pipeline for Uncoilable or Failed Aneurysms (PUFS) and continuing today with ongoing studies to evaluate the latest generation of devices for the treatment of endovascular aneurysm.

We are also involved in several stroke trials to evaluate the use of new thrombectomy devices and are collaborating with researchers in the Department of Neurosurgery on an imaging trial to examine the use of advanced single-quantum and triple-quantum sodium MRI to evaluate ischemic brain damage. Other subjects of clinical research include dural arteriovenous fistulas and brain arteriovenous malformations.

Interventional Neuroradiology Clinical Services

Neurointerventionalists in the Division of Interventional Neuroradiology collaborate with specialists in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at NYU Langone’s Center for Stroke and Neurovascular Diseases to provide the highest standard of care for patients with both common and rare neurovascular conditions of the brain and spine.

Some of the most common conditions we diagnose and treat include cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations in the brain, dural fistulas in the brain, stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA). A core component of our practice consists of diagnostic cerebral angiography and diagnostic spinal angiography, procedures in which especially detailed images of the brain and spine vascular systems are required to answer questions that cannot be adequately addressed with currently available CT and MRI techniques. This includes evaluating conditions such as central nervous system vasculitis, Moyamoya disease, pulsatile tinnitus, mycotic aneurysms, and more.

We specialize in minimally invasive advanced imaging and image-guiding techniques, including angiogram; endovascular techniques such as balloon remodeling, intracranial stents, and flow diverters; direct microneurosurgery; and intracranial bypass. For patients who aren’t eligible for microneurosurgery, we provide referrals to specialists at the Center for Advanced Radiosurgery for Gamma Knife® radiosurgery.

We also work closely with specialists in the Comprehensive Stroke Center to perform transarterial thrombectomy and thrombolysis, two integral life- and brain-saving procedures that reopen occluded arteries and restore the flow of blood to the brain for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Specialists in our division have extensive and unique experience in the diagnosis and treatment of rare conditions that require subspecialized neurointerventional and neurosurgical expertise. These conditions include vascular disorders of the spinal cord, such as spinal dural fistula, spinal pial fistula, and others. Common spinal procedures we perform include kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, sacroplasty, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal biopsy.