SNRI - Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Treatment Specialists in Zurich

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The Swiss Neuro Radiology Institute (SNRI) in Zurich specializes in diagnosing and treating congenital or acquired neurovascular diseases. These include diseases of the vascular system of the brain and spinal cord, for example, intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, pulse-synchronous tinnitus, as well as cerebral hemorrhages or consequences of strokes.

The newly founded center is headed by Prof. Isabel Wanke and Prof. Daniel Rüfenacht specialists in neuroradiology. According to current international guidelines, optimal technical equipment as a prerequisite for good diagnostics and therapy and competent care with treatment tailored to the individual patient are guaranteed at the Swiss Neuro Radiology Institute (SNRI). Prof. Wanke and Prof. Rüfenacht are also available for a second opinion assessment.

Competent Care for Neurovascular Diseases at the Swiss Neuro Radiology Institute (SNRI) Zurich

Neurovascular diseases are often complex clinical pictures that require a high level of expertise from the treating physicians, both in diagnostics and therapy. Therefore, the institute has the most modern equipment and imaging methods in both interventional and diagnostic radiology.

Intracranial Aneurysms

Aneurysms are pathological vascular dilatations that represent a weak point in the brain arteries and are often found at branches of the blood vessels. With increased blood pressure, the wall can expand or even rupture (rupture). About 2-3 percent of all adults are affected by aneurysms. Out of 3000 aneurysm patients, about 10 suffer a dangerous cerebral hemorrhage. When an aneurysm is suspected, it is therefore important to promptly assess the risk of rupture and, if necessary, to competently treat the aneurysm.

In a procedure called "aneurysm coiling," tiny platinum-coated metal coils are pushed from the inguinal artery into the aneurysm using a catheter and placed in the bulge. This prevents blood from continuing to flow into the aneurysm. The blood is still contained in the outpouching thromboses so that the danger of bleeding is averted.

Arteriovenous Malformations (AV Malformation)

A vascular malformation of the central nervous system is associated with an abnormal proliferation of vessels found in the head or spinal canal that are not involved in tissue supply. Possible symptoms include headaches, migraines, or epileptic seizures. In addition, vascular malformations can lead to ruptures (tears) with bleeding in various sections of the central nervous system.

Other complications include hypofunction, such as cerebral stroke or paralysis, when the normal cerebral circulation is disrupted. Insights into the presence of an AV malformation are usually obtained through an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. There are three treatment options for arteriovenous malformations, which are also used in combination:

Endovascular embolization uses catheters and a tissue adhesive to glue the nonfunctioning vessel ends together to stop blood flow. Larger vessel nests can then be removed during neurosurgical surgeries. Alternatively, radiation treatment (radiotherapy) is an option to destroy the redundant blood vessels.

Hemorrhagic or Ischemic Brain Lesions (Stroke)

A stroke occurs when areas of the brain are not adequately oxygenated. This can be caused by a heart attack or a brain hemorrhage. There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is much more common and caused by vessel occlusion in the brain.

The cause of a hemorrhagic stroke is a burst and bleeding vessel in the brain. CT angiography is used to examine and visualize the blood vessels. In an ischemic stroke, it is important to reopen the clogged blood vessel as quickly as possible to prevent permanent brain damage and its long-term consequences.

Treatment is possible with medication or with the help of a stent (wire tube for keeping blood vessels open), which is pushed through a catheter to the constriction. The stent wraps around the thrombus and is then pulled out. In a hemorrhagic stroke, doctors must first stop the bleeding. This is usually done during a neurosurgical operation to remove the blood and close the tear in the vessel.

Pulsatile Tinnitus

A pulsatile (pulse-synchronous) tinnitus describes a whistling or hissing sound in the ear, which occurs not evenly but is rhythmically and adapted to the pulse beat. Because of the very diverse causes of this form of tinnitus, targeted use of radiological methods is necessary to obtain a precise diagnosis.

The Swiss Neuro Radiology Institute (SNRI), under the direction of Prof. Wanke and Prof. Rüfenacht, has the most modern methods to diagnose and treat patients with pulsatile tinnitus successfully. One possible cause of pulsatile tinnitus is a fistula, a pathological short circuit in the brain between an artery and a vein. The unwanted connection can be glued and eliminated using microcatheters. This not only eliminates the risk of a brain hemorrhage but also causes the distressing ringing in the ears to disappear.

For more information, please visit the website of the Swiss Neuro Radiology Institute.