What is Interventional Neuroradiology?

Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) is the term used in Australia and New Zealand to describe medical subspecialists who use image-based minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat intracranial, spinal and head and neck diseases. INR also stands for interventional neuroradiologist, and the contraction INR for the subspecialist is also preferred.

There are a number of synonyms more commonly used elsewhere in the world including:

  • Neurointerventionalist or Neurointerventionist [NI]
  • Endovascular Neurosurgery [EVNS]
  • Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology [ESN]
  • Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Therapy [MINT]
  • Neurointerventional Surgery [NIS]
  • but they all refer to the same subspecialty practice.

    Interventional Neuroradiology operations are used to treat more than 90% of all intracranial aneurysms and most of the largest ischemic strokes of the brain (blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain leading to loss of function). Other operations that are performed by interventional neuroradiologists include endovascular operations for carotid disease, treatment for vascular malformations, tumour devascularisation as an adjunct for open surgery and treatment of intractable nosebleeds.

    *From http://www.ccinr.org.au