Cerebrovascular Program
Leaders in Cerebrovascular Disease Care
Our cerebrovascular specialists are known worldwide for their expertise in the intricate diagnosis and treatment of blood vessel conditions affecting the brain. From diagnosis through follow-up care, we anticipate your long-term health needs, providing timely treatment with a focus on treating the whole person.
- Specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating all blood vessel conditions that affect blood flow to the brain and spinal cord. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive and traditional surgical techniques in microsurgery, stereotactic, laser, endovascular, and CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery. Go to Cerebrovascular Treatments
- Team-based approach with neurovascular experts in surgery, neurointerventional radiology, stroke, and radiation oncology, working together for the best possible care. Go to Your Care Team
- Clinical trials that offer eligible patients earlier access to the latest treatments for cerebrovascular disorders. Go to Clinical Trials
- Comprehensive support services that anticipate and deliver the medical, emotional, and spiritual assistance you and your caregivers may need. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access to complete diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care at locations throughout the Bay Area and through virtual visits. Go to Connecting to Care
Cerebrovascular conditions are diseases and disorders that affect the blood vessels supplying the brain and spinal cord. Problems with the vessels prevent enough blood, containing oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients, from reaching these areas. Cerebrovascular disorders can damage brain and spinal cord tissue from lack of blood flow or bleeding, and lead to stroke and other potentially life-threatening conditions.
At Stanford Health Care, you have a team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointerventional radiologists, and other specialists collaborating on your behalf. We also bring together highly skilled professionals to coordinate and administer compassionate care from diagnosis through long-term management.
We offer complete screening and treatment for all cerebrovascular conditions, including:
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM), including spinal types
- Arteriovenous fistula, including carotid-cavernous fistula and dural types
- Brain aneurysm
- Cavernous malformation and angiographically vascular malformation, including spinal types
- Cerebral ischemia, including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
- Dissection of the carotid and other arteries
- Fibromuscular dysplasia
- Intracranial hemorrhage, including subarachnoid and subdural
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)
- Moyamoya disease
- Occlusive cerebrovascular disease
- Stenosis and other diseases of the carotid, basilar, and vertebral arteries
- Stroke
- Vasculitis
Cerebrovascular Treatment
Our renowned neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neurointerventional radiologists are experts in diagnosing and treating all types of cerebrovascular disease—from common conditions to the most rare and complex. We offer the latest treatment techniques and a wide array of groundbreaking clinical trials for the best possible outcomes.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Many Stanford Medicine doctors are also internationally recognized researchers who have developed leading-edge treatments, such as CyberKnife which is used worldwide, laser resection of brainstem and eloquent cavernous malformations, and combined direct plus indirect revascularization bypass for moyamoya disease.
- Our experts offer specialized treatment for people who have intracranial and spinal vascular malformations.
- We have more than 25 years of experience developing advanced minimally invasive techniques that provide an alternative to surgery for some cerebrovascular conditions. The procedures require only a small incision and allow us to operate with greater precision and less risk.
Providing the best treatment for cerebrovascular conditions starts with a complete and accurate diagnosis. Our doctors combine decades of experience with the most advanced 3D and high-definition technology to precisely diagnose abnormalities in the arteries and veins that affect the brain and spinal cord.
Based on your symptoms, medical history, and family history, your doctor may recommend one or more diagnostic tests, including:
- Advanced imaging: To best evaluate your blood vessels, we use imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, digital subtraction angiograms/arteriograms (DSA), and transcranial doppler (TCD).
- Genetic testing: Some types of cerebrovascular disease are inherited (passed down within families). If you have a family history of neurological conditions, we may recommend working with our genetic counselors to understand your risk.
- 3D virtual reality (VR) neurosurgical simulation: Through a VR headset and without opening the skull, surgeons view their patients’ brain tissues and vessels in 3D. Surgeons plan and practice the surgical procedure using the patients’ images, resulting in a safer and more accurate surgery.
Additionally, our neurodiagnostic labs offer comprehensive neurological testing, including:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Autonomic testing, including thermoregulatory sweat testing (TST)
- Electromyograms (EMG)
- Evoked potentials (EP)
- Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM)
- Movement evaluations that analyze motion, gait, and balance
Treatments
Your care team collaborates closely to develop an individualized treatment plan with the care and support you need.
Our neurosurgeons combine decades of experience with the latest technology to offer the full range of traditional open and minimally invasive surgical procedures. We actively research new approaches to neurosurgery and use our discoveries to improve your treatment options.
The doctors in our neurointerventional radiology program have extensive experience treating cerebrovascular disease using noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures. Stanford Medicine doctors invented CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery, advanced radiation therapy that successfully treats the most challenging conditions.
As part of your treatment plan, you may receive medications before, with, or after other treatments. We tailor your treatment to you, providing medications that manage your symptoms and adjusting your treatment as your needs change over time.
At Stanford Health Care, we understand how managing a cerebrovascular condition affects your body, mind, and spirit. That's why we offer care that extends beyond treating your physical health. Our Circle of Care approach helps guide you and wraps you in the services you need to navigate your cancer journey.
Cerebrovascular Programs
People from around the world come to our specialty cerebrovascular neurology clinics, including our:
Innovation Through Clinical Research
Stanford Health Care Neuroscience actively participates in groundbreaking research and clinical trials to evaluate new and better ways to diagnose, treat, and manage neurological disorders. Participating in a trial may give you access to experimental therapies not widely available at other medical centers. We also partner with the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute to better understand the brain, develop new treatments for brain disorders, and promote brain health.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
A diagnosis of a neurological condition—and the changes it may bring—can be unsettling. We offer you and your caregivers the personalized support you need at every step. Your team listens to you and develops a plan for your situation. And you'll work with the same team from diagnosis throughout treatment, so we can get to know you and your needs.
Our customized approach to cerebrovascular neurosurgery places you at the center of everything we do. We offer you the highest level of care in a warm, supportive environment.
Our team of doctors, specialists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and staff is here for you at every step. We collaborate with your local doctor so you receive seamless care from diagnosis through ongoing follow-up care.
Your Doctors and Providers
Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeons specialize in diagnosing and using surgery to treat conditions and injuries that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Cerebrovascular neurosurgeons have advanced training in the care of neurovascular diseases, which are conditions affecting blood vessels supplying the brain and spinal cord.
View All {0} Cerebrovascular NeurosurgeonsNeurointerventional Radiologist
Neurointerventional radiologists are doctors with advanced training in radiology and neurology to treat conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They perform minimally invasive procedures using catheters (thin tubes) inserted through blood vessels to access treatment areas.
View All {0} Neurointerventional RadiologistsVascular Neurologist
These doctors have specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing vascular (blood vessel) disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
View All 12 Vascular NeurologistsAdvanced Practice Provider (APP)
These health care providers work with your doctors to help with diagnosis and treatment. APPs may recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and services such as genetic counseling. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
View All 4 Advanced Practice ProvidersExtended Care Team
Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are doctors with training to administer and manage anesthesia during surgery and minimally invasive procedures (if needed). Neuroanesthesiologists specialize in care for people undergoing surgery for neurological conditions. They manage critical functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, during surgery and administer pain management during and after surgery.
Neurohospitalist
These neurologists have advanced training to care for acutely ill people who are hospitalized with complex neurologic diseases.
Neuropsychologist/Neuropsychiatrist
These doctors help you manage behavior or mood problems that may come with your cerebrovascular condition.
Neuroradiologist
These doctors specialize in interpreting diagnostic imaging of the brain and spinal cord. They provide accurate images of the brain to show possible structural causes of disorders.
Nurse Coordinator
These registered nurses coordinate your care with your team. They provide nursing triage of symptoms, patient education about treatment, pre- and post- treatment symptom management, and medication management.
Rehabilitation Specialist
- Occupational Therapists are skilled practitioners who provide rehabilitation care to help you regain strength and functional ability during and after treatment. They help you with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, managing your medications, and driving.
- Physical Therapists work with you and your family to recover your physical function after treatment, including strength, sensation, range of motion, and movement control.
- Speech-Language Pathologists are experts in communication who help people with neurological conditions restore their abilities to speak or swallow.
Genetic Counselor
Our genetic counselors have specialized training in genetics and work with you and your family to help evaluate the risk for inherited conditions. They assess family histories and test results and help you make decisions about your care.
Neuro Care Services
Part of your care involves managing your emotional and spiritual health. We offer you and your loved ones services that can help you stay strong through your treatment and recovery.
Our wide range of support services offer a single point of contact to assess your needs and connect you to the help you need. Contact our Neuro Care Services for your personal support plan.
We make access to care as simple as possible. We anticipate what you need and provide support when you need it. Our network of locations puts our services within your reach. User-friendly digital health tools help you stay connected with your care team. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We help make sense of the details, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
We make it easy and convenient for you to get quality health care.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
- Send referrals online
- Place radiology and lab orders
- View referral status
- Access medical records
