Cerebrovascular

Description

The Cerebrovascular group provides diagnosis and treatment services for patients with acute stroke as well as primary and secondary prevention. A multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, therapists, neuroradiologists and clinical nurses are dedicated to stroke patient care and clinical research in stroke prevention and treatment.

The care of patients includes a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week System Stroke prevention Urgency (IA Clinical) Team developed for rapid evaluation and treatment of patients with stroke and transient ischemic attacks. The Stroke Center provides comprehensive state-of-the-art management of patients with vascular causes of Neurologic disorders. The unit incorporates the monitoring capabilities of the epilepsy unit and the coronary care unit with intensive nursing monitoring capabilities in order allow for the complete care of an individual patient within one setting.

The Cerebrovascular group combines resources of the Neurovascular Surgery and Vascular Neurology Programs within the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Neuroradiology in a truly multidisciplinary approach to the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with cerebrovascular disease.

The Cerebrovascular group operates out of University Hospital.

Facilities

Cerevrovascular surgery is supported by on-site facilities that are equaled at very few medical centers in the world. These include:

  • Neurosurgical operating rooms equipped for image-guided stereotaxis, neuro-endoscopy, intraoperative angiography, and intraoperative MRI
  • Computerized neurosurgical ICU with continuous EEG brain monitoring
  • Neuro-endovascular therapy suites for embolization and angioplasty
  • Acute stroke unit for Brain Attack patients
  • Clinical Cerebral Blood Flow Laboratory for TCD and CBF evaluation
  • Novalis shaped-beam stereotactic radiosurgery facility

Training Opportunities

Residents

Neurology

During scheduled academic half-days, neurology residents will study cerebrovascular diseases including the following sub-topics:

Core Topics

  • Clinical presentation/ localization of stroke syndromes
  • Management of stroke
    • Acute management, including tPA
    • Secondary prevention
  • Cardiogenic stroke 
  • Less common etiologies (i.e. MELAS/vasculitis/venous thrombosis)
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage

Special Topics

  • Stroke in the young/children
  • Basic neuroscience: Vascular anatomy of the nervous system
  • Basic neuroscience: consequences of cerebral ischemia
  • Neuropathology: cerebrovascular disease
  • Best Practice Stroke Guidelines review (SWO Regional Stroke Education Coordinator)

Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery residents study cerebrovascular neurosurgical techniques including:

  • Aneurysm surgery dissection of basal cisterns
  • Aneurysm dissection and clipping anterior/posterior circulation
  • Carotid arteriotomy, plaque removal, arterial closure, insertion of shunt

Learn more about our CNS Residency programs.

Cerebrovascular/Stroke Fellowship

Main Contact: Jennifer Mandzia

phone: 519-663-2944
fax: 519-663-3411
London Health Sciences Centre
C7-124 University Hospital
339 Windermere Road
London Ontario Canada
N6A 5A5

Learn more.

Charles Drake Clinical Fellowship in Neurovascular Therapy

Main Contact: Mel Boulton - MD, PhD, FRCSC

phone: 519-663-3602
fax: 519-663-3601
London Health Sciences Centre
C7-124 University Hospital
339 Windermere Road
London Ontario Canada
N6A 5A5

Learn more.

Postdoctoral, Graduate, and Undergraduate

Opportunities for MSc, PhD, and Postdoctoral candidates are available upon request. Dr. Khaw has acted as a co-supervisor to graduate students. Dr. Mandzia has acted as a secondary supervisor to students studying CTA of the head and neck vessels in patients presenting with TIA and minor stroke in the Emergency Department. Dr. Sposato has acted as a supervisor and co-supervisor to students completing graduate work on the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias after experimental insular ischemic stroke and doctoral students researching stroke and dementia epidemiology.

Research Opportunities

If you are interested in conducting cerebrovascular research or are interested in assisting in ongoing research by our faculty, visit their bio pages for information on their specific research interests and how to get in touch.

Faculty

Neurologists

Neurosurgeons