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Neurovascular Surgery Program
Neurovascular Surgery Program
The Neurovascular Surgery Program at UCLA is one of the leading research centers in the world for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vascular diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
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For the past 15 years, UCLA neurovascular surgeons have collaborated with colleagues in diagnostic neuroradiology, interventional neuroradiology, stroke neurology, neurological critical care, stereotactic radiosurgery, and neurological rehabilitation to treat more than 12,000 patients. The Program specializes in the management of complex central nervous system vascular disorders including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous angiomas, and carotid and intracerebral stenosis. Clinicians and researchers work closely with the UCLA Stroke Center; designated as the first in Los Angeles County to earn accreditation as a JCAHO certified Primary Stroke Center.
Through continuous research, the UCLA team developed a number of state-of-the-art treatments for neurovascular patients. The Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) were invented at UCLA and revolutionized the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Additionally, the Merci clot-retrieval device was designed at UCLA and recently approved by the FDA for restoration of cerebral blood flow following a cerebrovascular event. Current research foci include improving coils, refining microsurgical technique, brain injury and ruptured aneurysms, brain mapping and monitoring, improving telemedicine, and development of non-invasive four-dimensional imaging tools.
Several therapeutic techniques are readily available at UCLA; for example, extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery for treatment of giant aneurysms, bypass technique for Moya Moya disease, the use of intra-operative brain mapping, transcranial doppler and cerebral blood flow monitoring for vasospasm, and intracranial angioplasty and stenting. These advanced diagnostic and treatment options offer hope to many patients.
This world-renowned, multidisciplinary Program is supported by on-site medical facilities that include:
- Neurosurgical operating rooms equipped for intraoperative MRI and angiography, neuro-endoscopy, microsurgical precision, and image-guided stereotaxis;
- Computerized neurosurgical ICU with continuous EEG brain monitoring, advanced telemedicine, and transcranial doppler and cerebral blood flow monitoring;
- Neuro-endovascular suites for angioplasty, stenting, clot retrieval, embolization, and diagnostic angiography;
- UCLA Stroke Center that is JCAHO accredited as a Primary Stroke Center; and
- Novalis shaped-beam stereotactic radiosurgery facility
The Neurovascular Surgery Program at UCLA is under the direction of Neil A. Martin, MD, FAANS. His innovative contributions to the Program and to the Department earn the continued recognition of US News and World Report, which has always ranked UCLA Neurosurgery (with Neurology) as one of the top 10 such programs in the nation. As an academic center of excellence, patients are offered opportunities to participate in cutting-edge NIH-sponsored treatments. The Neurovascular team is constantly analyzing results to improve outcomes, and works tirelessly as they strive to provide the very best quality of care.
For additional information regarding referrals, clinic appointments or educational (CME) programs, please contact the office of:
Director
Neil Martin, M.D., FAANS
Professor and Chair
Department of Neurosurgery
(310) 825-5482
Colleagues in Neurosurgery
James Ausman, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Neurosurgery
(310) 825-5482John Frazee, M.D.
Professor
Department of Neurosurgery
(310) 206-1231Nestor Gonzalez, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurosurgery
(310) 825-5154
