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Physicians at The Neuro first in North America to offer a new stent for patients with intracranial aneurysms

Published: 19 August 2009

A new and advanced technology is now available to patients with large, broad neck intracranial aneurysms. Physicians at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) at the 㽶Ƶ Health Centre and 㽶Ƶ were the first in North America to implant a specialized intracranial stent, providing innovative treatment for intracranial aneurysms.

“As a fully integrated neuroscience medical centre, The Neuro provides cutting-edge treatment and care to our patients,” says Dr. David Colman, Director of The Neuro. “They have access to the best physicians and technology in the world. This has been our tradition for 75 years.”

An intracranial aneurysm is a weakening and swelling of an artery in the brain that can lie undetected up until the moment they rupture, leading to an intracerebral hemorrhage. Sometimes aneurysms can be quite large, compressing adjacent vital structures and giving rise to a focal neurological problem. In some rare instances they can produce ischemic strokes.

“We are excited to offer this new technology to our patients,” says Dr. Donatella Tampieri, Director of Neuroradiology at The Neuro who performed this highly skilled procedure. “This stent is designed specifically for patients with what are called wide-necked aneurysms. Prior to the development of this specialized stent, treatment required insertion of both a stent and multiple coils. This stent, called Silk, is a new concept with a tighter mesh, which re-directs the blood flow away from the aneurysm into the normal artery. In time the aneurysm progressively reduces in size until its complete occlusion.”

The stent is a small, thin, very tightly woven wire mesh that can be inserted into the arteries, re-building the inside wall of the artery, and enabling occlusion of the aneurysm. Thus far, the Interventional Neuroradiology Team at the Neuro has successfully treated six patients.

About the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital

Celebrating 75 years

The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) is a unique academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience. The Neuro is a research and teaching institute of 㽶Ƶ and forms the basis for the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. Founded in 1934 by the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro is recognized internationally for integrating research, compassionate patient care and advanced training, all key to advances in science and medicine. Neuro researchers are world leaders in cellular and molecular neuroscience, brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience and the study and treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders. For more information, please visit .

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