Neurovascular neurosurgery

Neurovascular disorders including brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and intracranial atherosclerotic disease with its associated morbidity have a significant health and economic toll on our population. They form a major part of the neurosurgical workload. Neurovascular neurosurgery covers a wide variety of pathologies affecting the brain and spinal cord, all of which can result in intracerebral or subarachnoid haemorrhage, stroke, direct compression from mass effect and subsequent neurological deficits. Neurovascular neurosurgery is increasingly being managed in subspecialist teams. The aim of this article is to outline the more commonly encountered neurovascular conditions, their diagnosis and management, to better equip those looking after patients with neurovascular conditions.