[How do the interventional neurologists function in the clinical setting?]

Neuroendovascular therapy is a rapidly evolving clinical subspecialty because of its minimal invasiveness and novel device development. In Japan, neurosurgeons perform a substantial portion of neuroendovascular procedures, however, the number of neurologists who certified by the Japanese Society for Neuroendovascular Therapy (interventional neurologist) is gradually increasing. Neurologists tend to deal with medical treatment in the acute stage and prevention of ischemic stroke, in addition, neuroendovascular procedures for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases performed by neurologists themselves, such as acute revascularization therapy for acute intracranial major artery occlusion or carotid artery stenting, might provide various benefits to ischemic stroke patients because of the smooth, seamless and close management from admission, to intervention, to discharge and after discharge. Because of insufficient number of interventionists to perform emergent neurointerventional procedures in the clinical setting of acute ischemic stroke in Japan, we wish that more neurologists get interested in and receive training in the neuroendovascular therapy.