[Vascular interventions in the head and neck region. Part 1: Recanalization procedures]

Vascular interventions in the head and neck region are becoming increasingly more important due to acquisition of knowledge on the pathophysiological principles of various vascular diseases and the development of new intervention materials. This article gives a review of the materials and techniques used in interventions in the head and neck region. Special attention is given to the description of a safety-oriented approach to avoid potentially severe complications. Based on this the value of endovascular therapeutic procedures for recanalization of various diseases will be discussed, in particular the treatment of extracranial and intracranial stenoses and the reopening of vascular occlusions in acute stroke using PTA, stents, lysis and mechanical thrombus removal.