GW Hospital Unveils New Suite for Neurosurgical Procedures
The George Washington University Hospital (GW Hospital) today announced a new Interventional Radiology (IR) suite that can provide faster and more advanced medical care to patients who need complex neurovascular and neurosurgical procedures, like treatment for stroke or aneurysms.
The new suite, which opened on May 1, allows physicians to conduct minimally invasive procedures to treat a wide range of issues including stroke, carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms and other vascular disorders. The catheter-based procedures performed in the suite are designed to reduce risks, length of stay at the hospital and recovery time, as well as visible scarring and pain that can result from traditional surgical approaches.
“GW Hospital is committed to investing in new technology that benefits our patients, and we are proud to offer this comprehensive image-guided neurosurgery suite,” said Bruno Petinaux, MD, Chief Medical Officer at GW Hospital. “More than 40% of Americans suffer from one or more forms of cardiovascular disease, so this suite will be critical in helping physicians diagnose and treat patients that require advanced neurosurgical and neurovascular procedures. Our community now has access to the most advanced care available.”
The comprehensive IR neurosurgical suite is an advanced dual-plane imaging system. The advanced X-ray technology provides detailed, real-time views of blood vessels and anatomy, enabling clinicians to navigate catheters, guidewires and other instruments through the brain with pinpoint accuracy. The system can generate CT-like 3D images on the spot, all without moving the patient. The fully digital system can enable physicians to make a diagnosis and treat cardiovascular disease faster.
“Precision and speed are two essential components of effectively treating strokes, aneurysms and other complex brain conditions,” said Michael Rosner, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery. “GW Hospital has created a new standard for minimally invasive neuro-interventions in the District of Columbia/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) region by providing unprecedented imaging clarity and real-time guidance for surgeons and specialists. This advanced system allows our team to perform complex procedures safely and efficiently.”
While the new suite expands GW Hospital’s clinical offerings in stroke and cerebrovascular care, it also creates opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and training for neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists and neurologists. GW Hospital previously installed an IMRIS intraoperative MRI (iMRI) system in 2022 that enables intraoperative visualization.
“This new suite is truly a game-changer for patients in our region,” said Wayne Olan, MD, Director of Endovascular Neurosurgery at GW Hospital. “For stroke patients, every minute saved means a better chance at recovery. The superior imaging and streamlined workflow of this system helps us retrieve clots and restore blood flow faster, which can greatly improve neurologic outcomes. It’s a remarkable advancement that reinforces our commitment to offering advanced, patient-centered care.”
Dimitri Sigounas, MD, a neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist at GW Hospital, added, “We want to make sure to treat complex problems as safely and effectively as possible, as we would want for members of our own family.”
About GW Hospital
The George Washington University Hospital is a 395-bed tertiary care, academic medical center located in downtown Washington, DC. Featuring Level I Trauma Center and a Level III NICU, GW Hospital offers clinical expertise in a variety of areas including cardiac, cancer, neurosciences, women’s health, and advanced surgery including robotic and minimally invasive surgery. The mission of GW Hospital is to provide the highest quality health care, advanced medical technology and world-class service to its patients in an academic medical center dedicated to education and research. For more information, visit gwhospital.com.
Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of The George Washington University Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.