Rare Vascular Abnormalities of the Brain - CHUM Launches Canada's Only Multidisciplinary Referral Centre Français
MONTREAL, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - CHUM announced today the creation of the Centre de référence des anomalies neurovasculaires rares du CHUM (referral centre for rare neurovascular abnormalities), an initiative unlike any other in Canada for patients with often poorly known diseases of the nervous system. Vascular neurologists and neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, radiation oncologists and other health care professionals will pool their expertise to establish a diagnosis and provide highly specialized care to patients from all over Quebec. This multidisciplinary, integrated and innovative approach not only reduces travel and wait times for these patients, but also helps improve knowledge about vascular malformations of the nervous system through research and teaching.
For Dr. Fabrice Brunet, CEO of CHUM, "The Centre de référence des anomalies neurovasculaires rares is a perfect example of our institution's comprehensive approach to adult outpatient medicine, which is to offer patients with complex health problems an integrated approach allowing them to receive the best care and services thanks to the collaboration of professionals and specialists."
One visit, one diagnosis, one treatment plan
According to Dr. Christian Stapf, a vascular neurologist and the project's co-lead, the referral centre stands out by the fact that, "with a single visit to CHUM, patients from all over the province can receive a diagnostic investigation, care from several specialists and a multidisciplinary treatment plan. " Every week, all the experts of the referral centre get together to discuss the most complex cases. For the clinical follow-up of patients living outside the Montreal area, a remote consultation system is currently under development.
"Patients and their loved ones are systematically asked to participate in several clinical research projects, including longitudinal follow-up studies, care quality assessment studies, innovative therapeutic studies, etc.," added Dr. Grégory Jacquin, also a vascular neurologist. Research is a major component in the continued advancement of medical practice.
Lastly, the referral centre has ties with the academic and training programs of all the medical subspecialties concerned and other relevant disciplines in order to ensure the systematic participation of post-doctoral students (fellows), residents in vascular neurology, interventional neuroradiology and vascular neurosurgery as well as graduate students.
Vascular abnormalities: detection and treatment
The detection of a vascular abnormality in patients often occurs following a stroke. These patients, for the most part in the 20 to 40 age range, may present other symptoms such as epileptic seizures (vascular epilepsy), headaches (secondary headaches) or a progressive focal deficit. Sometimes a vascular abnormality of the brain is discovered by chance during a brain scan, without the patient having the slightest symptom.
"It is sometimes difficult to diagnose patients with these rare diseases," emphasized CHUM neuroradiologist Dr. Daniela Iancu. "Arteriovenous malformations, cavernomas, familial brain aneurysms and Moyamoya disease require quite precise imaging analysis." "Some patients require interventional treatment, either by neurosurgery, an endovascular procedure (interventional neuroradiology), stereotactic body radiotherapy, or a combination of several methods," explained vascular neurosurgeon Dr. Michel Bojanowski. Sometimes the patients' symptomatology is controlled very well without any need for an intervention. Patients benefit from multidisciplinary medical follow-up and, depending on their condition, needs and concerns, are supported by professionals such as nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nutritionists, psychologists, neuropsychologists and social workers.
About Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)
The Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal is an innovative hospital devoted to serving patients. It provides the highest quality specialized and ultraspecialized care to patients and the general public all over Quebec. Through its unique expertise and innovations, its aim is to improve the health of the adult and aging population. As the Université de Montréal hospital, CHUM is dedicated to care, research, teaching, health promotion, and the assessment of technology and health intervention methods in order to continually improve the quality of care and the health of the population. Since the fall of 2017, patients and their families have been able to enjoy a renewed hospital experience at CHUM's new facilities. chumontreal.qc.ca
About the CHUM's neurovascular health program
- The largest program in Quebec and among the largest in Canada
- 800+ admissions of stroke patients annually
- Specialized treatment by thrombectomy for more than 250 patients every year (about 50% of patients treated in Quebec)
- Stroke referral centre for the island of Montreal, Laval, and the north and south shores of Montreal
- Telestroke services for half of the province's hospitals (central and western parts of Quebec)
Photos and video available here
SOURCE Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Source: Communication Division, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM); For information: Lucie Dufresne, Communication Advisor, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Telephone: 514 890-8000, extension 15380 Pager: 514 860-7110
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