Locations
University Neurosurgery
Chicago, IL
About
Bio
Technically, I strive to be the best neuroendovascular surgeon, but at the same time I will be the first to say that a procedure may not be necessary. At the core of everything I do is to provide the best care for my patients. I've been in academic practice now for ten years.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
47 Answers
2 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Usually asymptomatic: If ruptured, generally the worst headache of your life and sometimes coma.
If unruptured, usually asymptomatic. Please refer to the brain aneury... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Good question: If you have high blood pressure, propranolol, among other medications, if the BP can be lowered, can help prevent the progression of brain aneurysms. ... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Yes, but low risk: Surveillance imaging is generally recommended with gradually increasing intervals because of this possibility. Smoking cessation and blood pressure c... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Good question: With improved resolution of noninvasive brain vascular imaging, cta and mras are becoming increasingly used because they provide helpful information a... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
I suppose so: Strokes and tias are, at their underlying cause, basically the same thing. Both involve clots impairing blood flow to brain cells. Tias are just whe... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Yes: Family history of stroke. Hypertension. Diabetes. Elevated cholesterol. Smoker. Excessive alcohol use. Coronary artery disease. Carotid artery ... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Unlikely: This is a tough question to answer because poisoning could be caused by so many things. Nevertheless, brain aneurysms are generally thought to be acq... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Neurological exam: This refers to the pronator drift. A examination maneuver to detect subtle weakness on one side. Most people keep both arms up even with eyes closed... Read More
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Brain blood vessel: Generally people are born with brain arteriovenous malformations (avm). If found by accident, any kind of treatment should be considered carefully an... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Most of the time: Weather conditions are quite important. The speed gained by helicopter transport can be important in improving the odds that urgent treatment can be ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 74-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Probably not: Brain aneurysms are usually acquired, and peak incidence for rupture is in the early 50s. Very unusual in the 20s, even with a family history. Perha... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Unknown: Average age of rupture of brain aneurysms is 52. It likely takes a few years but this is so variable. Aneurysms are rarely seen in kids or people le... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Unknown: Average age of rupture of brain aneurysms is 52. It likely takes a few years but this is so variable. Aneurysms are rarely seen in kids or people le... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Possibly: Coarctation of the aorta may lead to increased hydrostatic pressure in the vessels leading to the brain and therefore may pose a risk for cerebral ane... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Yes: It has to be an MRA, magnetic resonance angiogram, which looks at the blood vessels and not just the brain tissue, which would be a MRI. CTA can also... Read More
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Many: An ususual, severe headache unlike anything you've experienced before would suggest a rupture, and a ct scan is the way to diagnose this. Otherwise, ... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
MRA more definitive: If the mra is negative, you can probably be rest-assured that you don't have an aneurysm. A ct angiogram of the brain provides higher resolution. Th... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
No: If someone is having an ischemic stroke, ambulance is the best way to go to the er. Driving yourself is not advisable. Paramedics can institute appr... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Not directly: Air pollution takes its toll mostly on the lungs. If it leads to stress, and elevated blood pressure, then the hypertension can contribute to stroke.... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Inability to speak: Aphasia after stroke occurs after the portion of the brain that controls language is injured from insufficient blood flow (often a clot). Afterwards,... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
May be caffeine: May be that you have caffeine withdrawal headaches because you drink coffee at work but not when you have a day off.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Possible: The odds are difficult to predict once a cerebral aneurysm bleeds, but in general, not something you would want to take. Avms that bleed usually are ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Usually asymptomatic: If ruptured, generally the worst headache of your life and sometimes coma.
If unruptured, usually asymptomatic. Please evaluate our guide for wo... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Endovascular: You probably mean endovascular surgery, where they treat the aneurysm from within the blood vessels via a small incision in the crease in the groin. ... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 63-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
You need answers: Yes, the phrase, "live with it, " is not very helpful. A more detailed understanding of what may be causing your headaches, what to expect, and strat... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Intermittent sharp: Intermittent, sharp pain that starts suddenly in the center of the upper belly, sometimes spreading. It is hard to get comfortable. Moving around do... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Area of research: There are several processes thought to contribute to the formation of a brain aneurysm, rarely a single process. Some rare connective tissue diseases... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Proceed carefully: The majority of the patients i see with newly diagnosed aneurysms are managed conservatively, or without an interventional procedure. There are sever... Read More
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Great question: This is actually an area of great interest for research. Smoking is thought to contribute to weaknening of the arteries and this is an important risk... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Bare minimum: As long as the mra was of good quality and reviewed by someone who is experienced in neuroradiology. If it is in fact normal, given your two relative... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Possibly: The general recommendation is for screening with noninvasive brain vascular imaging if you have two first degree relatives with brain aneurysms. You ... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
I think worthwhile: Chances are on your side.
Anxiety, understandably, is a significant issue that accompanies a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm. You should continue ... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Brain aneurysm: A cavernous aneurysm is a common finding that if truly cavernous, indicates that it is located outside of the brain and generally carries a benign pro... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Arterial tear: An uncommon cause of stroke, but among younger patients, it is one of the most common. Sometimes spontaneously, sometimes after an activity that invo... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Possibly: Coarctation of the aorta may lead to increased hydrostatic pressure in the vessels leading to the brain and therefore may pose a risk for cerebral ane... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Not really: Eegs are nonspecific and mostly helpful to detect seizure like activity. Awake and varying levels of sleep are also reliably detected. Thinking diff... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Possibly: Brain aneurysms are acquired over time with the average age of rupture, in both genders, of age 52. It is very unusual in teenagers and people in the... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
MRI and autism: No, but an MRI is still important to evaluate for additional, oftentimes structural lesions that can cause symptoms that may be similar to autism. Us... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Unknown: Average age of rupture of brain aneurysms is 52. It likely takes a few years but this is so variable. Aneurysms are rarely seen in kids or people le... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Brain vessel scan: You might be asking because of a family history. Most brain aneurysms are discovered after they have either ruptured or become large enough to push o... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Chances on your side: Chances are on your side.
Anxiety, understandably, is a significant issue that accompanies a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm. You should continue ... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Low likelihood: A useful answer to this question would entail evaluating more closely the details of your case, past medical history, details of your imaging study. ... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Depends: It depends on the original anatomy of the aneurysm and the grade of occlusion (sealing) of the original treatment which often dictates the type (invas... Read More
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
I think worthwhile: I think given your family history, it may be reasonable to obtain a 3t tof mra (no radiation, no contrast so very safe) every five years. Particularl... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Probably not: Brain aneurysms are usually acquired, and peak incidence for rupture is in the early 50s. Very unusual in the pediatric population, even with a famil... Read More
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
Unlikely: Brain aneurysms are acquired, rare in the pediatric population. Average age of rupture of brain aneurysms in large series of thousands of patients, r... Read More
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Chenanswered
Neurology 23 years experience
See a specialist: See a physician who specializes in the management of patients with brain aneurysms. Screening can be done with an mra of the brain, which involves no... Read More
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
106
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Chen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Chen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, HI
Graduated 1999MD
Residency
YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL
Completed 2003
Awards
Brain Aneurysm Foundation Grant
Affiliations
Society for Neurointerventional Surgery
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