Neurovascular

What we do

Neurovascular refers to the blood supply to – and blood vessels within – the brain and the spinal cord. Our team of neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of cerebral (brain) and spinal vascular pathologies, including:

• cerebral (brain) aneurysms
• cerebral (brain) and spinal arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) (an abnormality of the blood vessel network)
• cavernoma and cavernous malformations (a cluster of abnormal blood vessels)
• intracranial vascular stenosis and insufficiency (a narrowing of an artery inside the brain).

Our wide range of treatments include:

• interventional neuroradiological procedures (including coil embolisation and stenting)
• neurosurgical procedures including clipping of cerebral aneurysms
• microsurgical resection of AVMs
• re-vascularisation procedures such as STA-MCA bypass.

The team works closely with centres providing stereotactic radiosurgery (non-surgical radiation therapy) for neurovascular pathologies. A clinical nurse specialist provides psychosocial support and advice, particularly to patients recovering from aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding on the surface of the brain). A support group for patients and families affected by subarachnoid haemorrhage is held every month.

Useful resources

Visit the Brain and Spine Foundation website for more information and patient information leaflets on these conditions.

Inter-hospital transfers

Many patients with neurological problems can be managed at their local hospital. However, some patients may require specialised investigation and treatment at a regional neuroscience centre, such as King’s.

Each patient will be looked after by a team of health professionals during their stay at King’s, and will receive carefully planned investigations and treatments.

Transferring back to your local hospital

Patients may be transferred back to their local hospital from King’s for continued care, treatment, and/or rehabilitation as well as discharge planning with local services in the community. Transfers back to local hospitals are also known as repatriation. The aim is to get patients home as soon as possible, but it may take several days for a bed to become available.

At the local hospital, you may continue to receive care and medical treatment. The team there will carefully assess your care needs so that you can go home safely.

For more information see the Inter-hospital transfer process (neuroscience) patient information leaflet below.

Preparing for your appointment

You may need to have scans to diagnose and treat your neurovascular problem. Some of these scans will require an injection of special dye to show up the blood vessels. This is known as an angiogram. The team will discuss this with you and what preparations are needed for you to have these investigations safely.

Location

First floor, Willowfield Building, King’s College Hospital, Bessemer Road, SE5 9BG

Contact Details

• Neurosciences Admissions Office: +44 (0)20 3299 1583
• Outpatient Appointments: +44 (0)20 3299 3282
• Pre-assessment team: +44 (0)20 3299 4433
• Specialist Nurses: +44 (0)20 3299 7828
• Team email: [email protected]

Patient information leaflets