LINNC INR Podcasts

In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat speaks with Frédéric Clarençon, Head of Interventional Neuroradiology at La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. From his early fascination with catheter-based therapies to leadership in major neurointerventional trials, he reflects on AVM management, distal thrombectomy, chronic subdural hematoma embolization, mentorship, and the future role of robotics and AI in the specialty.

Key topics discussed

• Evolving treatment strategies for brain and spinal AVMs, including dual-lumen balloon techniques and embolization-first approaches.
• The rationale behind the DISCOUNT trial and the ongoing debate around thrombectomy for distal vessel occlusions.
• Lessons from the negative EMPROTECT trial and what they mean for MMA embolization in chronic subdural hematoma.
• Memorable cases, vasospasm management, and how clinical practice has evolved over the past 16 years.
• Why anatomy and pathophysiology remain the foundation of better treatment decisions and patient outcomes.

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat speaks with Jacques Moret, one of the founders of modern interventional neuroradiology and creator of the LINNC course. Beyond reflecting on his career and educational legacy, he shares his views on the future of the specialty: the rise of extravascular therapies, the need to unite neurointervention and neurosurgery under a single discipline, and why MRI-guided interventions may eventually replace X-ray-based procedures.

Key topics discussed

• How LINNC evolved from a small live course in a Paris church basement into a global educational platform.
• Why recording and openly discussing complications became a cornerstone of his teaching philosophy.
• The innovations that transformed aneurysm treatment, from flow diversion to intrasaccular devices such as WEB.
• Why emerging technologies for CSF shunting and chronic subdural hematoma drainage represent a major shift toward extravascular intervention.
• His vision for a unified neurovascular specialty and a future driven by MRI-guided procedures rather than robotics.

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat welcomes René Chapot, head of the Department of Neuroradiology and Endovascular Therapy at the Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus in Essen, Germany. He reflects on his early inspiration under his mentor Jean-Jacques Merland in Paris, the formative complications that shaped his practice and his pioneering techniques in AVM treatment.

Key topics discussed

• How early clinical complications drive innovation, enhance control, and refine technique development
• Shifting paradigms in AVM treatment: liquid embolics, the pressure cooker technique, and multi-catheter control
• Deconstructing the "nidus" by utilizing color-coded volume imaging to map out arterial and venous networks
• The future of the field: expanding venous access, neurostimulation, and dissolving radio-opaque embolics

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat welcomes Rodrigo Rivera, chief of diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology at the Instituto de Neurocirugía Dr. Asenjo in Santiago, Chile and LINNC online editor. He reflects on his transition from neurosurgery to interventional neuroradiology, his formative training in Paris, the challenges of establishing stroke networks in South America, and his innovative work in 3D printing for vascular simulations.

Key topics discussed

• The transition from open neurosurgery to neurointervention
• Establishing one of Chile's first mechanical thrombectomy programs and navigating public health funding
• The technical landscape of neurointervention in Chile and the advantages of the public hospital network
• Developing 3D-printed AVM models and AI algorithms to better understand and train for complex nidus architectures
• Future frontiers: the integration of robotics, AI, BCI, and endovascular oncological treatments 

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat welcomes Johanna Fifi, professor of neurosurgery, neurology, and radiology at Mount Sinai and director of the Pediatric Neuroendovascular Program. She reflects on her journey from Trinidad to the U.S., the mentors who shaped her path, her growing focus on pediatric vascular malformations, and her experiences as president of SNIS.

Key topics discussed

• Lessons learned from major trials such as SELECT2 or other stroke systems-of-care studies
• The emerging science behind pediatric vascular malformations and the importance of multidisciplinary centers
• Common misconceptions about vein of Galen malformations and why most cases today can achieve good outcomes
• Gender representation in neurointervention and the role of mentorship in building confidence
• How the field may evolve: subspecialization, neuromodulation via endovascular routes, venous access innovations, and robotics

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat welcomes Ajay Wakhloo. He reflects on his journey from early experimental work in Europe to becoming one of the pioneers of flow diversion for brain aneurysms. Ajay Wakhloo shares his vision for the future of neurointervention, from regenerative aneurysm healing and laser-based technologies to endocisternal approaches.

Key topics discussed

• The origins of flow diversion and how experimental observations led to a paradigm shift in aneurysm treatment
• Innovation at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and fluid mechanics
• Regenerative approaches to aneurysm healing and the role of laser-induced vascular repair
• Emerging technologies, including endocisternal access, neuromodulation, and direct carotid puncture for stroke care
• Advice for young physicians on creativity, perseverance, and building an innovation mindset

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat welcomes Jan Gralla, Head and Director of the Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology at the Inselspital of Bern University Hospital. He reflects on his transition from neurosurgery to endovascular neuroradiology and on how evidence-based trials transformed the field. He also shares his perspective on emerging areas such as distal thrombectomy, chronic occlusions, intracranial stenosis, and dural AV fistulas.

Key topics discussed:

• Building and organizing regional and national stroke networks, with insights from the Swiss stroke system
• Lessons learned from major stroke trials and the impact of trial design on clinical practice
• Future directions in neurointervention, including cyclic aspiration and new approaches to chronic total occlusions and intracranial stenosis
• Why dural AV fistulas and CSF venous fistulas remain among the most intellectually rewarding and underdiagnosed conditions

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In this episode of INR Stories, Nanthiya Sujijantarat welcomes Adam Arthur, Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. They discuss the evolving landscape of neurointervention, exploring emerging treatments, ethical dilemmas in clinical trials, and the importance of mentorship. Adam Arthur shares candid insights on the future of the field and the challenges of balancing innovation with patient care.

Key topics discussed:

• The shifting focus in neurointervention, from aneurysms and large vessel occlusions to chronic subdural hematomas and migraine-related pain.
• Investigating vascular links to chronic pain, with potential neurosurgical approaches to treating migraines.
• Ethical complexities in clinical trials and research integrity, with reflections on the ESCAPE-MeVO and DISTAL studies.
• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting teamwork between interventional and non-interventional neurosurgeons, neurologists, and radiologists to improve patient outcomes.
• The evolving role of mentorship in medicine, and how listening and honest communication shape successful mentor-mentee relationships.

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In this new episode of INR Stories hosted by Nanthiya Sujijantarat, Alejandro Berenstein reflects on his pioneering career in neurointervention, from building his own catheters in the 1970s to shaping the treatment of vein of Galen malformations and advancing true endovascular surgery. He recounts formative moments, personal losses, and major breakthroughs, while sharing his philosophy of intellectual honesty, teamwork, and curiosity as the spark that guided his innovations.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Early motivations for medicine and improvising catheter technology in the absence of modern tools
• The development of variable stiffness catheters and the vision for articulating technology enabling “true endovascular surgery”
• Becoming a global reference for vein of Galen malformations through teamwork and collaboration with Pierre Lasjaunias
• Lessons learned from patient complications, including the need for honesty and humility in medicine
• The role of mentorship in his professional life and his advice for trainees
• Future perspectives on robotics, articulating catheters, radiosurgery, genetic therapy, and epilepsy treatment

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In this episode of INR Stories hosted by Nanthiya Sujijantarat, Edoardo Boccardi reflects on four decades in neurointervention, from practising neurology before the CT scan to helping shape the field of endovascular treatment. He shares personal stories from the early balloon era, the rise of coiling, and the arrival of thrombectomy, all while highlighting the importance of complication meetings, intellectual honesty, and the human side of medicine.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Entering neurology before the CT era and transitioning to neuroradiology with the rise of imaging
• Learning catheter techniques during the balloon era and witnessing the game-changing impact of coils
• The thrill and setbacks of early thrombectomy, and the transformation following 2015 trial results
• Mentorship in France, and the value of honest, peer-level learning environments
• Advocating for meaningful complication meetings and the role of transparency in medical progress
• Reflections on leadership, humility, and building respectful team dynamics
• Concerns about over-reliance on devices, and the need to refocus on patient-centered care
• A call for future generations to embrace philosophy, literature, and broad perspectives beyond medicine

Dr. Boccardi closes with a poignant message: keep your feet on the ground, your mind open, and never lose sight of what it means to be human in medicine.

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