Neuroradiology

Neuroradiology uses advanced imaging to examine the brain, spine, head and neck. At Mediclinic, our neuroradiologists use MRI and CT scans to help identify the cause of neurological symptoms and conditions. Our specialist team also provides minimally invasive treatments through the blood vessels for certain conditions, including aneurysms, vascular malformations and stroke, without the need for open surgery.

What is neuroradiology?

Neuroradiology is a specialist area of radiology that focuses on the brain, spine, head, neck and nervous system. Neuroradiologists use imaging techniques such as MRI and CT to identify and assess conditions affecting the nervous system. Some neuroradiologists also perform image-guided treatments, using very small tubes called catheters that are passed through the blood vessels to treat conditions such as brain aneurysms or blood clots causing a stroke. Your neuroradiologist will usually work as part of a wider medical team and provide a detailed report to the doctor responsible for your care, such as a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

Who is referred for neuroradiology?

Your doctor may refer you for neuroradiology imaging when they need detailed information about your brain, spine, nerves or blood vessels. Common reasons for referral include:

• Symptoms that may indicate a stroke, such as sudden weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
• A head injury where bleeding or a fracture needs to be ruled out
• Persistent headaches, seizures or unexplained changes in memory or thinking
• Ongoing neck or back pain associated with numbness, weakness or other neurological symptoms
• A known or suspected aneurysm, tumor or abnormality of the blood vessels
• Planning for brain or spine surgery, or assessing the results following surgery

You do not usually arrange a neuroradiology examination yourself. Your doctor, specialist or emergency team will request the appropriate imaging when they believe it will help diagnose or manage your condition. In an emergency, such as suspected stroke, brain imaging is often performed urgently. A CT scan can quickly show whether there is bleeding or another significant abnormality, while specialised vascular imaging can help identify a blocked or narrowed blood vessel and guide treatment.

What to expect

Most neuroradiology examinations are planned in advance, and your imaging team will provide you with any specific instructions before your appointment. Depending on the examination, you may be asked to follow instructions about eating, drinking or taking certain medicines. An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and does not use X-rays or other forms of radiation. It provides detailed images of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and other soft tissues. A CT scan uses X-rays to produce detailed images quickly. It is particularly useful in emergency situations, including suspected stroke or head injury.

Some examinations require an injection of a contrast agent to make certain tissues or blood vessels easier to see. Before giving contrast, the imaging team will ask about any previous reactions to contrast agents and check whether there are any concerns relating to your kidney function.

Once the images have been obtained, a neuroradiologist will review them and prepare a report for your referring doctor. Urgent examinations may be reviewed and reported within a short period to help guide immediate treatment. Your results may help your medical team decide on the next steps in your care, which could include medication, physiotherapy, further investigations, surgery or simply monitoring your condition. Where an image-guided treatment is required, such as treatment of an aneurysm or removal of a blood clot, the procedure is performed using specialised imaging to guide the treatment through a small catheter inserted into a blood vessel. Your specialist team will explain the procedure, benefits and potential risks to you beforehand.

Neuroradiology at Mediclinic

Our specialist neuroradiology service is based at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai, where advanced imaging and minimally invasive, image-guided treatments are available within the same specialist service. Our team manages a range of conditions affecting the brain and blood vessels, including brain aneurysms, vascular malformations, stroke and blocked blood vessels, and other conditions requiring specialist neurovascular assessment or treatment.

Our neuroradiologists work closely with neurology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine and other specialist teams to provide coordinated care. Having specialist imaging and image-guided treatment available within the same hospital can be particularly important in emergency situations, such as suspected stroke, where rapid diagnosis and treatment can be critical.

In Abu Dhabi, our Advanced Neuro Imaging Unit provides specialised MRI techniques to assess the brain and nervous system in greater detail.