Neurosugery Procedures and Treatments

The Division of Neurosurgery offers state of the art surgical management of disorders of the nervous system including:

  • Minimally invasive removal of brain tumors
  • MRI guided laser ablation surgery (Visualase)
  • Surgical treatment of Epilepsy
  • Inflammatory/Infectious processes of the brain and spine (e.g. brain abscess)
  • Peripheral nerve surgery (e.g. Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Programbrachial plexus repair)
  • Surgical treatment of Spasticity (selective dorsal rhizotomy/baclofen pumps)
  • Surgical treatment of vascular malformations of the brain and spinal cord

Surgical Excellence

The surgical team is pushing forward the frontiers of pediatric neurosurgery through its active clinical and translational research programs to develop novel treatment approaches for pediatric brain tumors and head trauma and new non-invasive surgical approaches for the treatment of epilepsy.

In addition, the team has clinical expertise using:

  • Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques
  • Frameless stereotactic guidance
  • Intraoperative mapping to preserve normal brain function

Read below for more details about the different surgical procedures offered:

Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction

When peripheral nerves are unable to heal on their own, surgery is typically required to free them from scar, or it may be performed to repair or reconstruct them. Reconstruction of injured nerves can be performed with grafts from another part of the body, or transfers from a working muscle to a non-functioning muscle.

Brain Scan

A brain scan is an imaging technique that evaluates brain structure and/or function of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography are the two most common types of brain scans, but others may also be used.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

Computed tomography is a medical imaging test that can be used as a diagnostic tool for a wide variety of medical conditions. It involves taking pictures of sections or slices of the body, layer by layer, to get a complete picture of an area of the body.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a “brain pacemaker” that sends electrical impulses, via implanted electrodes to specific parts of the brain for treatment of movement disorders.

Dorsal Rhizotomy

A treatment to relieve spasticity, dorsal rhizotomy or selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical procedure in which the neurosurgeon divides the dorsal roots (those nerves that transmit sensation from the muscles to the spinal cord) that lie in the spinal canal.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy with Choroid Plexus Cauterization

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization is a surgical treatment option for hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs of the body. The Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique is a form of magnetic resonance imaging that is used to map out the areas of the brain which are responsible for movement, sensation, vision and language/speech.

Intraoperative Brain Mapping

Intraoperative brain mapping is a form of brain surgery performed while the patient is awake. It is done for patients with tumors or lesions near critical functional brain regions and require the patient to be responsive and able to communicate with the surgeon during the procedure.

Intraoperative MRI (iMRI)

The iMRI supports the hospital’s neurosurgeons in maximizing resection of abnormal brain tissue.

Intrathecal Baclofen Pump

An intrathecal baclofen pump is a treatment for severe muscle spasticity for children who have difficulty taking pills or who need to have more direct treatment for their muscle spasms.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is a broad term that applies to a wide range of medical procedures. It refers to any surgery where small incisions are made and telescopes and operating instruments are passed into the body, allowing the operation being performed with the surgeon viewing the procedure on a nearby television screen.

MR Guided Focused Ultrasound

This technology allows surgeons to precisely heat and destroy the target tumor, without opening the scalp, skull or injuring the surrounding healthy brain tissue.

MRI-guided laser ablation surgery

MRI-guided laser ablation surgery (Visualase) is a non-invasive technique that’s used to treat brain tumors, epilepsy and other problems.

Radiosurgery

Radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy that delivers large doses of highly concentrated, specifically targeted, radiation to exactly the area of the body where it’s needed without damaging the normal healthy tissue around it.

Shunt Placement

A shunt is a valve that is connected to a catheter to divert excess cerebral spinal fluid to another part of the body for absorption. Our neurosurgeons use various types of shunt valves, both fixed pressure and programmable valves to treat hydrocephalus in babies and children. These options are determined based on each patient's individual needs.

Spinal Tap and Lumbar Puncture

Lumbar puncture and spinal tap are two terms for the same medical procedure. It involves removing a sample of spinal fluid from the spine in order to diagnose a potential infection.

Tumor Embolization

Tumor embolization is a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce/block blood flow to a tumor, before potentially removing it surgically by blocking a major blood vessel feeding it.