Treatment of strokes using interventional radiology at Al Habib Hospital in Al Khobar
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital in Al Khobar has achieved another medical milestone, adding to its record of successes, after a specialized medical team successfully ended the suffering of a patient in her seventies who was experiencing serious health complications as a result of severe strokes. These strokes caused complications that directly impacted her quality of life, most notably general weakness in her upper and lower limbs on the right side of her body, in addition to partial memory loss and cognitive difficulties.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Abdulwahab, Consultant Interventional Radiologist and Head of the Medical Team, explained that the patient arrived at the hospital's emergency department in critical condition. Upon arrival, the clinical examination revealed significant difficulty understanding others, slurred speech, weakness in hand movements, facial numbness, and a severe headache unresponsive to conventional painkillers. These symptoms necessitated immediate intervention, including a comprehensive set of tests such as a CT scan and an MRI of the head, along with complete laboratory analyses.
The diagnostic results revealed severe narrowing of the carotid arteries, a condition medically considered a major cause of ischemic stroke, as this narrowing leads to reduced blood flow to the brain. The severity of this condition is increased by the presence of co-existing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, making immediate and necessary intervention to prevent permanent brain damage.
In the context of the medical background of this type of case, carotid artery stenosis is a serious condition that can lead to a full-blown stroke or death if not treated promptly. This highlights the importance of advancements in interventional radiology, which has become a safe and effective alternative to traditional open surgery, especially for the elderly or patients with chronic illnesses that make general anesthesia and traditional surgery life-threatening.
Based on the data, the medical team, comprised of consultants in interventional radiology, neurology, and anesthesiology, decided to perform a minimally invasive procedure using advanced catheterization techniques. Dr. Al-Abdulwahab indicated that the procedure took approximately 40 minutes, during which the narrowed arteries in the neck were accessed with extreme precision, fully widened, and a sophisticated stent was implanted to ensure the continuation of normal blood flow.
This success reflects the critical importance of having advanced medical centers equipped with the latest interventional radiology technologies in the region, as this contributes to reducing disability and mortality rates resulting from strokes. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are the decisive factors in restoring vital functions for the patient, and this is precisely what hospitals that adhere to international standards in stroke treatment protocols provide.
In closing, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Abdulwahab confirmed that the procedure was a complete success, thanks be to God, with blood flow returning to normal immediately after its completion. The patient was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close monitoring, where her condition began to show a marked and gradual improvement. Her weakness and slurred speech disappeared, and she was discharged from the hospital several days later in good health, confirming the effectiveness of the treatment plan and the techniques used.
