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
Herniated spine discs
Nerve injuries
Pituitary tumors
Slipped vertebrae
Vertebral fractures

We also treat conditions such as:

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 – Compressed 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:

For the spine:

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

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.

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

Laminectory – 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.

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.

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

For the brain:

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

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

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

IV. Advanced Technology Zeiss OPMI Pentero Neurosurgical Microscope

In delicate brain surgery, surgeons rely on advanced magnification and visual clarity to enhance their skill. In 2011, we acquired the Zeiss OPMI Pentero neurosurgical microscope, which provides surgeons with clearer and more powerful magnification, as well as inter-operative diagnostics and support of fluorescence-based procedures such as tumor removal and resections. With these capabilities, neurosurgeons can easily distinguish between the cancerous tumor and healthy tissue. Advanced technological features provide the surgeon:

Crystal clear images with natural colors
Spot illumination for higher contrast images in narrow and deep vessels • High-speed autofocus which delivers razor-sharp images
Freedom of hand and instrument movement, with a short distance to the surgical field
Video touchscreen with instantaneous access during surgery to important information such as patient files
Technology to superimpose color data and combine diagnostic, navigation and system information while viewing the operating field
Integration with the hospital network with access to pre-op findings and data from the operation

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.