The Department of Neurosurgery collaborates with the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery (INN), a comprehensive, multidisciplinary center, to diagnose and treat various disorders of the brain’s blood vessels (vascular system), including: Brain (or cerebral) aneurysm: An abnormal bulging portion of a weakened blood vessel that is located in the brain. The larger the bulging becomes, the more likely the brain aneurysm will burst and bleed into the brain. These vascular lesions can be treated with catheter techniques, open surgery or a combination of the two. Experienced open vascular surgeon, Grace Mandigo, MD, works closely with our endovascular surgeons at the INN.

Giant brain aneurysm: About 5 percent of brain aneurysms, which have a diameter of 25 mm or greater.

Brain vascular malformations: Conditions in which blood vessels of the brain have developed abnormally causing various symptoms and severity depending on the type of malformation. The most common types of brain vascular malformations include arteriovenous malformations, venous angiomas, vein of Galen malformations and cavernous malformations (see below).

Cavernous malformations: A kind of brain vascular malformation in which abnormal clusters of vessels with small bubbles (or caverns) fill with blood. Since the walls of cavernomas are weak, blood can slowly leak out. These lesions often cause seizures or epilepsy. Dr. Robert R. Goodman has extensive experience managing these lesions.

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