Goals

Improve the detection of variations in the vascular anatomy of the central nervous system and recognize the importance of embryology  in the maturation of the vascular system and the potential for clinical expression of mal-development of the vascular system.

Improve the detection and management of patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke. Enhance risk management strategies based on the most recent developments in imaging of acute ishemia and the development of endovascular techniques.

Improve the detection and management strategies of patients presenting with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Improve the understanding of the natural history and treatment rational of patients with incidentally discovered unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Improve the detection of vascular neoplasms affecting the head and neck region, the brain and spine and spinal cord and indicate the importance of endovascular management of such conditions.

Improve the detecting and management strategies of neonates, infants, children and adult patients presenting with intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Improve the understanding of their risk management by detailing the recent natural history data and outlining the treatment related risks from surgery, radiosurgery and endovascular management.

Objectives

Participants will be able to detect variations in the vascular anatomy as well manage their implications for the development of certain vascular disorders that may be associated with these variants.

Particpants will be able to accurately detect, using modern imaging tools, patients presenting with acute or subacute ischemic stroke thereby facilitating best treatment choices to be made in order improve clinical outcome.

Participants will be able to detect and implement management strategies pertaining intracranial aneurysms, presenting with hemorrhage , mass effect or as an incidental discovery during screening.

Participants will be able to accurately detect and manage appropriately vascular neoplasms affecting the brain, the head and neck region and the spine and spinal cord.

Participants will be able to detect and implement management strategies for pediatric and adult patients presenting with intracranial arteriovenous shunts diagnosed in utero, at neonatal age in infancy and in adulthood. They will be able to accurately choose the optimal modern imaging modalities to be used under these circumstances. They will be able to improve outcome using multidisciplinary approaches and understand the important role of timing of the interventional procedures by emphasizing the relevance of the natural history and the current available treatment techniques.

A certificate of Completion in continuing education sponsored by the office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto will be issued to those participants who successfully complete the above requirements.