Patient Experience: Interventional Neuroradiology

I received what I would like to call Triple C treatment from my interventional neuroradiologist for my condition: Confidence, Comfort, and Care. His work ethic and professional integrity are second to none. He saved my life!

Selwyn, a school principal in Sydney, in his 60s, has fond memories of his interventional neuroradiologist Dr Andrew Cheung when he received treatment for his ruptured cerebral aneurysm. One morning in 2019, Selwyn was walking around the school campus for an inspection. Suddenly, his legs gave way and he collapsed without any signs. He was urgently taken by ambulance to Prince of Wales Hospital intensive care.

On the first evening in hospital, Dr Cheung came to his bed and said to him gently,

Mr Williams, your procedure requires absolute precision, and I’m concerned about my concentration as I have done quite a number of treatments today. Can I ask you a favour? I will need a good sleep tonight and tomorrow morning I will take care of you. Is it ok?

Selwyn smiled knowingly and he said yes. “This means he focuses on his patients and cares about the outcome. He won’t do it unless he feels 100%. His work ethics and professional integrity are second to none. His humour and manner made me feel confident, cared about, and comforted. I know that the rupture is in a critical location in my head, but I also know I’m in safe hands,” Selwyn later said.

The next morning, Dr Cheung showed up at his bedside and said, “I had a good night sleep and I’m ready to go.” Selwyn couldn’t help laughing and said, “I trust you. I’m ready too!” Dr Cheung treated Selwyn’s ruptured left internal carotid artery aneurysm with balloon assisted coil embolisation. It is an interventional neuroradiology technique to treat complex wide necked intracranial aneurysms where two fine tubes are placed into the blood stream at the groin or wrist guiding them to the brain. One tube is used to place coils into the aneurysm whilst a second fine tube with a balloon is temporarily inflated across the neck of the aneurysm to ensure accurate coil placement and no coil loops prolapse.

After the treatment, Selwyn stayed in the hospital for about six weeks where he received attentive care from the medical team, and he fully recovered. He appreciates his doctor and the care he received in the hospital so much that he feels compelled to explain the Triple C treatment again and again to all who would listen.

Interventional neuroradiology

Interventional neuroradiology is a clinical specialty that integrates core principles of diagnosis, management and image-guided minimally invasive treatment of patients with diseases of the brain, head and neck, spinal cord, vertebral column and the peripheral nervous system. Conditions treated include ischaemic stroke, cerebral aneurysms, dural fistulas, head and neck tumours, spinal fractures, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and more.

Did you know?

A brain aneurysm or cerebral aneurysm is a bulge or a sac that develop in a blood vessel in the brain due to a weakness in the blood vessel wall.

3% of people have a cerebral aneurysm and almost 500,000 Australians have an aneurysm.

50−80% of brain aneurysms don't rupture, however it is potentially fatal if it ruptures, and those who survive may suffer permanent brain damage.

Treating an unruptured brain aneurysm may be appropriate in some cases. If concerned patients should speak to their GPs to arrange a referral to see an interventional neuroradiologist.

Interventional neuroradiology treatments of cerebral aneurysms include coil embolisation, balloon assisted coil embolisation, stent assisted coil embolisation, flow diverting stents, intrasaccular devices, and more.

For more information about interventional neuroradiology, visit:

www.insideradiology.com.au/interventional-radiology/