Sometimes serious head, neck and spine issues need immediate attention, intervention and management. Count on our skilled and professional expertise in neuroendovascular medicine and intensive care for treating complex and life-threatening disorders.
Neurointensive & Endovascular Medicine
The Avera neurointensive care unit (neuro ICU) is comprised of fellowship-trained specialists and neurointensivists. When necessary, physicians will refer you or your loved one to neuro ICU in Sioux Falls, SD.
Neuroendovascular experts support patients experiencing some of the most critical medical emergencies in all of medicine. When you need endovascular care — like surgery for blood vessel conditions — our team works together with other specialists in neurology and neurosurgery to bring patients of all ages the best treatments available.
Critical Conditions
Neurocritical care patients experience complex brain and spine conditions such as:
- Brain cancer
- Brain hemorrhage
- Brain trauma
- Cerebral aneurysm: bulging due to weakening area in blood vessel wall in the brain
- Cerebrovascular malformations: brain blood vessel abnormalities
- Encephalopathy: describes any disease or disorder affecting function or structure of the brain
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS): rare autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your nerves, causing weakness and sometimes paralysis
- Intracranial hemorrhage: type of stroke due to bleeding within the skull
- Rupture or dissection of vessels of the brain due to trauma
- Severe seizures
- Some forms of hemorrhagic stroke
- Some types of head or neck tumors
- Strokes including acute ischemic stroke (due to large vessel blockage)
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: type of stroke due to bleeding between brain and thin membrane covering it
Treatment Methods
Depending on your diagnosis, neuroendovascular surgeons and neurointensivists use state-of-the-art technology and treatment methods, including:
- Arterial line placement
- Diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy: lung and airway scan
- Endotracheal intubation (tube inserted into windpipe to aid breathing) and advanced airway management
- External ventricular drain placement: temporary medical procedure to drain excess fluid to relieve pressure via inserting a thin tube
- Intensive care ultrasonography showing structures inside body via images
- Intracranial monitoring systems via device placed inside head to check for any pressure
- Intravascular temperature management system to manage temperature in critical care patients
- Lumbar fusion (spinal fusion)
- Paracentesis to remove fluid buildup inside abdomen
- Percutaneous tracheostomy: minimally invasive procedure to create an airway
- Thoracentesis: procedure that drains extra fluid from around the lungs with a needle
- Transcranial doppler ultrasonography: non-invasive ultrasound for checking brain blood flow
- Ventilator management techniques
- Ultrasound-guided access by catheter placement into central vein, like those in neck and chest
Surgical Recovery & Follow-Up
An entire team of experts is here to support you every step of the way after surgery. After an interventional procedure with minimally invasive methods, your care plan involves follow-up visits and guidance during recovery.
