Interventional neuroradiology.

A wide variety of diseases affecting the central nervous system and head and neck can be treated using interventional neuroradiologic techniques. These new treatments have depended on advances in radiologic imaging, catheter technology, and the development of new embolic agents. These procedures may be an adjunct to other therapy, palliative or curative. Diseases for which interventional neuroradiologic techniques have been major advances in treatment include cerebral aneurysms, vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, dural sinus thrombosis, atherosclerosis, scalp arteriovenous fistulas, carotid-cavernous fistulas, and stroke. This field is rapidly evolving as advances are made in catheter technology and new embolic agents are developed.