Frequently Asked Questions

Neurovascular medicine is a subspecialty focused on the blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect these vessels, including blockages, weakening, and bleeding — using both minimally invasive endovascular techniques and open surgical approaches when necessary.

Neurosurgery is a broad field covering all surgical treatments of the nervous system. Neurovascular surgery is a focused subspecialty within that field that deals specifically with blood vessels of the brain and spine. Our specialists use advanced endovascular (minimally invasive, catheter-based) techniques as well as open surgical approaches to treat these vascular conditions.

You can schedule a consultation by calling our office at (833) 4-CORTEX or by using the contact form on our website. Our team will help coordinate your appointment and gather any necessary records or referral information.

Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card, any relevant imaging studies (on CD or USB), a list of current medications, and any referral paperwork from your referring physician. For a detailed checklist, visit our Patient Resources page.

Your first visit is a consultation with a neurovascular specialist. We will review your medical history, prior imaging, and current symptoms, then perform a focused neurological exam. Together we will discuss your diagnosis and the next steps, which may include additional imaging, a procedure, or simply monitoring. Plan for about 45–60 minutes.

Yes. Having your outside imaging available before your visit often shortens the consultation and helps us prepare recommendations in advance. You can bring the CD or USB to your appointment. If you are unable to send it ahead, plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can load it.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you experience a sudden, severe "worst headache of my life," sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden speech difficulty, sudden vision loss, sudden severe dizziness or loss of balance, or a seizure. These can be signs of stroke, brain hemorrhage, or other life-threatening conditions that require emergency treatment.

We accept most major insurance plans. Our office staff will verify your benefits before your appointment and can help you understand your coverage. If you have questions about a specific plan, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist you.

Referral requirements vary by insurance plan. Some plans require a referral from your primary care physician, while others allow direct access to specialists. Our scheduling team can help determine whether a referral is needed for your visit.

We see patients with and without insurance. If your plan is out-of-network or you do not have insurance, our billing team can provide a self-pay estimate before your visit and discuss payment options. Please contact our office and we will walk you through the process.

In many cases we can use your prior imaging for evaluation. Recent MRI, CT, or angiogram studies from another facility are often sufficient. During your visit we will review the quality of the existing imaging and let you know if new studies are needed before treatment can be planned.

You can request copies of your records by contacting our office. We are happy to send records directly to you, your primary care physician, or another specialist. There is no charge for records sent directly to another provider for ongoing care.

After completing a residency in neurosurgery, neurology, or radiology, a neurovascular specialist completes an additional two to three year fellowship focused specifically on blood vessel conditions of the brain and spine. This advanced training covers both minimally invasive endovascular (catheter-based) techniques and open surgical approaches. Our team has completed this specialized training at major academic centers.

Most neurovascular procedures are performed in a specialized catheterization lab. You will receive appropriate sedation or anesthesia, and the procedure typically involves a small puncture in the groin or wrist to access the blood vessels. Using real-time X-ray guidance, the specialist navigates to the target area to diagnose or treat the condition. Your team will explain exactly what to expect before your specific procedure.

Neurovascular procedures are performed under sedation or anesthesia, so you should not experience pain during the procedure itself. Some mild discomfort at the access site (groin or wrist) is common afterward, and your care team will provide guidance on managing any post-procedure soreness.

Recovery time varies depending on the type of procedure and your overall health. Many endovascular procedures have shorter recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. Some patients go home the same day or the next day, while others may require a short hospital stay. Your care team will provide specific guidance tailored to your procedure.