Neurovascular Center of Excellence

If your child has a blood vessel disease of the brain or spine, we can help.

The Neurovascular Center of Excellence at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh offers world-class care.

Our renowned experts work together to design the best treatment plan for your child, teen, or young adult. We treat young people up to age 23 who have conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain and spine.

Contact the Neurovascular Center of Excellence at 412-692-5137 or neurovascularcenter@chp.edu.

Blood Vessel Conditions of the Brain and Spine We Treat

From babies to young adults, we treat neurovascular conditions. We explain the disorder, treatment options, and what to expect from our caring team.

We treat conditions such as:

• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the brain
• Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM)
• Moyamoya
• Brain aneurysms
• Retinoblastoma
• Stroke

Explore the symptoms and diagnoses of the conditions we treat at the Neurovascular Center of Excellence.

Advanced Neurovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Options at UPMC Children's

Our surgical, imaging, and medical teams work together to ensure your child gets the most cutting-edge and evidence-based care.

Diagnostic tests

• Angiogram
• MRI
• CT-angiogram

Treatment options

Doctors across the country often refer children with complex neurovascular conditions to us.

Open Neurovascular Surgery

Using cutting-edge technology, we perform microscopic surgery. The procedure helps divert blood flow away from areas likely to bleed or clot.

The pial synangiosis is a type of indirect bypass surgery we perform frequently. It is also common to remove AVMs during surgery.

Endovascular surgery

UPMC experts use endovascular surgery to remove a blood clot in a stroke.

In order to remove the clot, the surgeon guides a special tool through the tube that expands at the clot. A tube is then used to pull the clot through.

Gamma Knife^® radiosurgery

In spite of its name, Gamma Knife® radiosurgery doesn't involve surgery. Instead, it involves delivering high-powered radiation to a precisely targeted area.

Blood thinners

In cases where surgery or other treatment options aren't appropriate, doctors prescribe blood thinners.

They also combine blood thinners with surgical and other treatments to prevent blood clots.

Explore treatment options at the Neurovascular Center of Excellence.

Why Choose UPMC Children's for Neurovascular Care?

• Our team of experts, including geneticists and hematologists, provide your child with well-rounded, complete care.
• We not only specialize in rare blood vessel conditions but are also experts in the unique anatomy and needs of children.
• Our surgeons are experts in minimally invasive techniques. This means a lower risk of complications and a faster recovery time compared to standard approaches.
• Doctors across the U.S. send their patients to us because of our expertise in diagnosing and treating these rare conditions.

Meet our children's neurovascular team

Your child's care team includes:

• Neurosurgeons.
• Neuroimaging doctors.
• Stroke doctors.
• Heart doctors.
• Blood disease experts.

Our experts take the time to answer your questions and explain your child's treatment plan in detail. When you meet us, you'll feel sure knowing a whole team of world-leading experts is working for your child.