Benefits of Interventional Radiology in Brain Aneurysm and Stroke

Interventional radiology is enabling quicker surgery and recovery time for many of today’s medical complications.

You’ve heard of virtual reality (VR) and artificial reality (AR), but what about interventional radiology (IR)?

Neurointervention specialist, Dr Manish Taneja, tells us more about this medical solution that involves performing minimally-invasive procedures using imaging guidance.

Interventional radiology (IR) features endovascular surgery. How is it different from regular surgery?

Endovascular surgery is far less invasive, with faster recovery times. I can treat an unruptured brain aneurysm and send the patient home the next day — something not possible with regular surgery. Also, a majority of endovascular procedures are carried out in a cardiac catheterisation lab rather than in the operating theatre.

What conditions and issues require such surgery?

Stroke and related neurovascular diseases, peripheral vascular disease, venous disease including varicose veins, cancer and pain. And when targeting complex locations such as the brain, endovascular surgery is far safer and significantly less invasive. The trend worldwide is to seek an endovascular approach first. Minimallyinvasive surgery is available for treating diseases affecting virtually any system or organ in the body!

Describe the recovery process, and how long it takes.

Recovery is fast with minimal scarring. Most patients go home on the same day or within one to two days after treatment. Surgery is done under sedation mostly, with fast and smooth recovery.

How do you see demand growing over the next few years for interventional radiology?

Interventional radiology is said to be one of the fastest growing fields in medicine, with rapid and radical advances coming up on a regular basis.

Particularly in the last eight to 10 years, numerous new techniques and procedures have been introduced on a regular basis. When I assisted in my first brain aneurysm coiling in 1999, it took almost eight hours. Today, the same aneurysm can be fixed in under 90 minutes with a less than a one per cent risk of stroke. I see tremendous growth coming over the next few years in neurointerventional treatments for stroke and other vascular conditions affecting the brain and the spine.

Newer treatments such as radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules will become more popular due to better patient acceptance, with very acceptable outcomes. Other growth areas include newer endovascular treatments for vascular and venous disease, cancer treatments, lifestyle-related interventions and interventional pain therapies. (Learn more about the care and treatment options at our specialized brain aneurysm clinic at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore.)

Describe the job satisfaction you enjoy. 

I am extremely fortunate to be one of Singapore’s full-time independent interventional radiologists in private practice at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic. I have a really exciting and fulfilling job, and each day brings a different gratifying experience! One day I could be treating a brain aneurysm, or removing a clot in the brain for a patient with acute stroke. Another day, I’d be doing an angioplasty, stenting of an artery in the leg or treating a varicose vein. And the next day may involve treating a liver tumour.

Source: Mount Alvernia Hospital

Dr. Manish Taneja, our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, specializes in minimally invasive procedures for conditions such as brain aneurysm. We offer specialized care, prompt attention, and access to advanced imaging technology and procedures. 

The Types of Neurointerventional Treatment

There are several types of neurointerventional treatment we treat delivering services centered around your health. If you or a loved one is facing a brain, spine, head, or neck disorder, the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic can help for an array of complex neurointerventional treatments including brain aneurysm, brain AVM, stroke management and prevention, stroke screening, carotid and intracranial stenting, head and neck vascular malformation, and more.

Brain Aneurysm Resources

Brain Aneurysm Coiling and Stent

Types of Brain Aneurysm Headaches

Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar

Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Could it be a brain aneurysm that ruptures, which means bleeding in the brain? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. Then what is the difference between unruptured (a weak or thin spot on an artery in the brain that balloons) or ruptured brain aneurysm? If you’re wondering, then the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is here to help. It’s important to look out for the tell-tale brain aneurysm symptoms, signs, causes, and risk factors.

Dr. Manish Taneja has been performing brain aneurysm treatments since 1995 from surgical clipping to latest minimally invasive procedures. Each patient is unique as is the size and location of the aneurysm. Your brain has different conditions to treat the aneurysm and artery vessel walls of a blood vessel in the brain. This calls for personalised brain aneurysm treatment depending on your symptoms, family, history, medication, and more. A simple CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.

Neurointerventional Treatments

Headache