Neurosurgery Program
Brain
At Holy Cross Hospital, we have the surgical expertise,
a caring and compassionate nursing and support staff and a state-of-the-art
technology and facility – all available to assist our patients in
diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery.
Here are just some of the
conditions we treat:
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For appointments
and referrals, call 888.768.5553. |
Arteriovenous Malformations
Arteriovenous malformations
(AVM) are masses of abnormal blood vessels that grow in the brain.
Arteriovenous malformations do not allow the brain to absorb oxygen
from the blood, which can result in stroke like symptoms. The malformations
usually occur in the central nervous system but can occur in other
parts of the body. AVM is believed to be a congenital disorder (people
are born with them). Treatment for AVMs includes focused irradiation
therapy or surgery to completely remove the malformation. The decision
to perform surgery requires a careful consideration of possible benefits
versus risks.
Cavernous Malformations
A cerebral
cavernous malformation (CCM) is a collection of small blood vessels
(capillaries) in the brain that is enlarged and irregular in structure,
usually taking the shape of a honeycomb. Some people with CCM never
experience any related medical problems. Others will have serious symptoms
such as seizures (most commonly), headaches, paralysis, hearing or
vision changes, and bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage). CCMs
can occur anywhere in the body, but usually produce serious signs and
symptoms only when they occur in the central nervous system (the brain
and spinal cord).
If treatment is necessary, surgery is the most common
option. Because they are so distinct from the surrounding brain tissue,
cavernous malformations often can be completely removed using microsurgical
techniques without causing new problems. The risk of the operation
depends on the size and location of the cavernous malformation and
the general health of the patient.
Chiari Malformations
Chiari malformations (CMs) are structural defects
in the part of the skull that protects the part of brain that controls
balance. A diagnosis can, in some cases, be made at birth. Other times,
the diagnosis is made after the onset of specific signs and symptoms,
and after diagnostic testing.
Medications may ease certain symptoms,
such as pain, however surgery is the only treatment available to correct
functional disturbances or halt the progression of damage to the central
nervous system. More than one surgery may be needed. The surgery may
involve making an incision at the back of the head and removing a small
portion of the bottom of the skull (and sometimes part of the spinal
column) or the surgical removal of part of the arched, bony roof of
the spinal canal (the lamina).
Concussions
A concussion is an injury to the brain usually caused by impact to
the head. Even mild concussions should not be taken lightly. Some concussions
are less serious than others, but every concussion injures the brain.
This type of injury needs rest to heal properly. In most cases a single
concussion should not cause permanent damage. Most people recover fully.
Epilepsy
Surgery is an option for some people whose seizures cannot
be controlled by medications. According to the Epilepsy Foundation,
surgery should be considered when someone with epilepsy has:
- documented
epileptic seizures; not pseudoseizures
- already tried the
standard medicines without success or had bad reactions to them.
- seizures that always start in just one part of the brain.
- seizures
in a part of the brain that can be removed without damaging important
things like speech, memory or eyesight.
The operation involves removing
a small part of the brain where the seizures are produced.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is the excessive
accumulation of the brain’s normal water-like fluid (cerebrospinal
fluid or CSF). This buildup causes an abnormal widening of spaces in
the brain called ventricles. This widening creates potentially harmful
pressure on the tissues of the brain. Hydrocephalus is most often treated
by surgically inserting a shunt system. A shunt is a tube that diverts
cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another part of the body such
as the abdomen.
Epidural
and subdural hematomas
Epidural and subdural hematomas are accumulations
of clotted blood (hematomas) deposited outside the brain but inside
the skull. An epidural hematoma lies outside the dura mater (which
is a thick leathery cover that protects, surrounds and supports the
spinal cord); while a subdural hematoma lies inside the dura mater.
Surgical treatment depends on the neurological condition of the patient.
Stroke
During a stroke, the brain’s supply of
blood is disrupted, leaving brain cells without crucial oxygen and
nutrients. A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent
neurological damage, complications and death. According to the National
Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the
United States and is the number one cause of adult disability.
The sudden symptoms of
a stroke are:
- numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
(especially on one side of the body)
- confusion, trouble speaking
or understanding speech
- trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- trouble
walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- severe
headache with no known cause
If you think you or someone else might
be having a stroke, call 911 right away. Don’t wait to see
if the symptoms pass. A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause
permanent neurological damage, complications and death.
Holy Cross
Hospital has a Stroke Response Team available for stroke evaluation
and treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
occurs when trauma to the head causes damage to the brain. This can
be the result of the head violently hitting an object, an object violently
hitting the head or when an object pierces the skull and enters the
brain. The injury can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the
part of the brain affected and the level of damage. Mild injuries can
cause headache and brief confusion while severe cases can result in
coma, extended unconsciousness or can even be fatal. Anyone with signs
of moderate or severe TBI should receive medical attention as soon
as possible.
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