Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.

Neurological diseases and injuries can affect persons of any age, gender or ethnicity. Each condition is unique and complex, presenting a set of challenges that can be physically and emotionally overwhelming for patients and their families.

I. Neurological Conditions

United Regional provides diagnosis and surgical treatment for a full range of neurological conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves:

• Brain injuries
• Brain tumors
• Cerebral blood clots
• Compressed nerves
• Spine injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Spinal cord compression
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Herniated spine discs
• Nerve injuries
• Pituitary tumors
• Slipped vertebrae
• Vertebral fractures

We also treat conditions such as:

• Hyperhidrosis – Abnormally increased perspiration.
• Hydrocephalus – Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities of the brain.
• NPH (normal pressure hydrocephalus) – Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities of the brain that puts pressure on the brain and interferes with healthy brain function.
• Spinal stenosis – Narrowing of areas of the spine creating pressure and discomfort.
• Ulnar entrapment syndrome – Compresssed nerve in the arm.

II. Warning Signs of a Neurological Condition

There are many warning signs for neurological disorders and conditions. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, be sure to contact your doctor immediately, or consult with a neurosurgeon at United Regional.

• Severe headaches
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Numbness or tingling in extremities
• Paralysis
• Hallucinations
• Fainting

III. Neurosurgical Procedures

Our team of highly trained, board-certified Neurosurgery specialists performs life-critical procedures to treat a variety of neurological diseases and injuries:

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar fusion – Surgical addition of a bone graft to stop motion at a painful vertebra segment of the spine.

Craniotomy – Surgical procedure under the bone flap of the skull to remove a tumor, clot or aneurysm.

Discectomy and microdiscectomy – Surgical removal of ruptured or herniated disc material in the spine.

Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) – Minimally-invasive spinal fusion surgery to treat leg or back pain. The procedure is performed through the patient’s side to avoid major back muscles.

Intracranial pressure monitoring – A surgically implanted device in the brain to monitor pressure levels and send them to a recording device.

Kyphoplasty – Minimally invasive surgical procedure using a balloon to restore height and shape to compressed vertebra in the spine.

Laminectomy – Spinal operation to remove part of the vertebral bone (lamina).

Laminoplasty – A treatment for spinal stenosis through cutting the vertebral bone (lamina) and relieving pressure on the spinal cord.

Peripheral nerve release – Surgical procedure to remove pressure from the peripheral nerve in the spinal cord.

Sympathectomy – Surgical cauterization of the sympathetic nerve to eliminate excessive sweating or blushing.

Transsphenoidal pituitary tumor removal – Surgical procedure performed through nasal passage to remove a tumor.

Trans sacral lumbar interbody fusion – Minimally invasive surgical procedure where the front part of the lumbar is fused from below to treat painful disc generation in the spine.

Vertebroplasty – In order to stabilize a fractured vertebra, bone cement is surgically injected into the fractured area of the spine.

VP shunts – Cerebrospinal fluid is surgically shunted from cavities in the brain into the abdominal cavity to relieve pressure.

X-stop spacer – A surgical implant that lifts vertebra off of a pinched nerve in the spine to relieve pain.

IV. Computer-Guided Brain Surgery

United Regional offers patients some of the most advanced neurosurgical techniques and technology available today, including computer-guided imagery for performing stereotactic brain surgery. Stereotactic brain surgery is a technique that combines images of the brain with the surgical microscope to precisely guide the surgeon to a target within the brain. Neurosurgeons at United Regional utilize this “frameless” or “image-guided surgery” to assure precise removal of lesions.

The frameless stereotactic technology allows the surgeon to navigate through the skull with image guidance. CT or MR images of the patient’s brain are imported into computer software. In the operating suite, these scan images are aligned with the patient’s actual brain anatomy. A digitizing camera senses and shows the position of the surgeon's instruments in relationship to the imaged brain on the computer monitor in real time. The technology also calculates depths and angles, which are displayed on the computer for surgeons to view as they navigate the instruments.

Some of the advantages of computerized image-guided surgery include:

• More precision in approach
• Limited surgical exposure
• Greater safety
• More complete tumor removal 

To find a physician in this medical specialty, please visit our Physician Directory, or contact United Regional Call-a-Nurse at (940) 764-8570 or (800) 982-9799.