Brain Surgery in New Jersey
Each year, nearly 22.6 million patients suffer neurological disorders or injuries in the United States. Of those, roughly 13.8 million will require some form of brain surgery. Using minimally invasive surgical methods, CNSO neurosurgeons can effectively treat a range of conditions including hydrocephalus, brain cancer, benign brain tumors, stroke, chiari malformations, pituitary tumors, and trigeminal neuralgia. The decision to operate is only after a thorough diagnosis and evaluation has ensured it is necessary. The neurosurgeons at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics perform brain surgery at the top hospitals for neurological care in the United States located in Northern New Jersey. Brain Conditions Requiring Brain Surgery
Several types of brain disorders require brain surgery. These conditions are generally grouped into three categories:
- Brain tissue abnormalities: Brain tumor, brain cancer, infection, seizure foci, or edema
- Bleeding in the brain: Hemorrhagic stroke, subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intraventricular bleed.
- Obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid: Caused by conditions such as brain tumor, traumatic head injury, infection, congenital abnormalities, aging of the brain that result in hydrocephalus.
Technological Advances in Brain Surgery Utilized by CNSO
The best technological method for brain surgery depends on several factors such as the patient’s medical condition, the urgency of treatment, and the location within the brain requiring the treatment. The following are just some of the types of brain surgeries offered by CNSO neurosurgeons who will recommend what is best given each individual patient’s current medical condition and past medical history.
Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery
Minimally invasive brain surgery leverages state-of-the-art minimally invasive neuronavigation technologies to minimize incisions and allow neurosurgeons to cosmetically hide scars. Some of the minimally invasive procedures offered by CNSO include microscopic craniotomy, endoscopy, microvascular decompression, neuro-endoscopy, and more. Minimally invasive brain surgery offers many benefits, including faster recovery time, fewer hospitalization days, and higher success rates.
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery describes the use of an endoscope which is a small thin tube with a built-in camera that connects to a large screen monitor to access the base of the brain via a nostril. This allows significant visualization within only a minimal opening hidden within the nose. After the patient has been anesthetized, the endoscope is inserted into the patient’s nose. The camera is inserted through the endoscope allowing the surgeon to visualize the target area and remove a tumor though the nares of the patient. This is minimally invasive surgery that leaves no visible scar on the skin. This technique is often used by technologically advanced neurosurgeons such as those at CNSO, for the removal of pituitary tumors, anterior fossa meningiomas, chordomas, clival tumors, craniopharyngiomas, and other tumors located within the reach of the endoscope. Notably, the pituitary glands are located at the bottom of the human brain just above the nose from the inside. Endoscopic pituitary surgery, is the most preferred surgery to remove pituitary tumors and is frequently performed by CNSO neurosurgeons within several hospitals in Northern New Jersey.
Endoscopic Brain Surgery
Endoscopic brain surgery is a neurosurgical technique using advanced technology and instruments to treat specific types of brain tumors. This minimally invasive brain surgery enables neurosurgeons to locate and remove brain tumors deep inside the brain. The procedure consists of the CNSO neurosurgeon placing a thin tube with a video camera through a small incision in the skull or inside one of the nostrils. The tubing device, called an endoscope, enables the neurosurgeon to view detailed images of the problematic area of the brain and remove tumors without disturbing or harming the surrounding structures of the brain.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Microvascular Decompression
Microvascular decompression is another common brain surgical procedure to relieve symptoms of facial pain or muscle spasms in the head. Nerves in the head, called by cranial nerves can be compressed by nearby blood vessels. In the medical condition, trigeminal neuralgia, the cranial nerve that is pinched is the trigeminal nerve. Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia have a sudden, severe, or sharp shooting pain in the jaw, teeth, or gums. These symptoms are unpredictable attacks lasting a few seconds to about 2 minutes. Although trigeminal neuralgia occurs spontaneously, it is often associated with facial trauma or a dental procedures that causes a blood vessel to move too close to the trigeminal nerve causing compression of the nerve. Most cases of trigeminal neuralgia can be treated with medications. For a small percentage of patients, if the medication does not work, microvascular decompression is the best option.
Facial pain or muscle spasms in the head can also be caused by other cranial nerves compressed by cerebral blood vessels. Some examples are geniculate neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, or hemifacial spasm. A microvascular decompression performed only by a CNSO neurosurgeon, helps relieve painful pressure from the pulsating vessel pressing against any cranial nerve. The surgical procedure entails a small incision placed behind the ear on the affected side. This minimally invasive procedure provides relief from the painful facial condition.
Stereotactic Radiation Therapy
Stereotactic Radiation Therapy delivers beams of highly focused ionized radiation to a targeted area of the brain without requiring a surgical incisions. It is guided by a CNSO neurosurgeon and a radiation oncologist. Though it requires several treatment sessions over a period of time, it is performed while the patient lies comfortably on a table. It is a same day procedure that does not require any overnight hospital care. Stereotactic Radiation Therapy is painless and highly effective in treating a range of brain conditions, including tremors and brain tumors. It is very beneficial to use when a tumor is in a difficult location or the patient is at high risk because of multiple comorbidities. There are several types of technologies available to deliver stereotactic radiation therapy available at different hospitals in New Jersey. Depending on the patient’s needs, the CNSO neurosurgeon provides care at each of the hospitals. The Gamma Knife is one of the brand names utilizing this technology to deliver therapy as is the CyberKnife. Another is the Truebeam which is Linear Accelerator (LINAC). All are computer-guided treatments that do not involve any incisions but do require multiple treatments.
Craniotomy
Trauma to the head often requires a craniotomy to stop bleeding, remove blood, and eliminate edematous pressure on the brain. Large tumors also require a craniotomy. A craniotomy refers to just the beginning stage of a brain surgery in which the necessary objective to directly visualized the brain in preparation for the surgical treatment within the restricting skull confines is performed. Neurosurgeons use specialized equipment to remove a section of the skull bone. The section removed is called a bone flap. The bone flap is only off temporarily while the surgeons resolve the medical condition inside the brain. After the surgical treatment is completed, the bone flap is reconnected to the skull and secured into place. The surgical incision is then cosmetically closed over top of the bone flap with minimal scarring hidden underneath the patient’s hair.
CNSO Offers World Class Brain Surgery in New Jersey
The brain is a very complex organ which controls the entire body. Many neurologic conditions do not require surgery and can be treated by a neurologist who is a medical doctor. A neurosurgeon is both a doctor and the only type of surgeon trained to operate on the brain and nervous system anatomy. Not all neurosurgeons are equal. Judgement, skills, experience, and familiarity with the latest technological advances are critical to performing a successful operation. Patients experience full support from the CNSO office based setting to the hospital and throughout the recovery period from top neurosurgeons, each highly recognized for their repeated successful neurological procedures. The CNSO clinical and administrative staff surround each patient with compassionate knowledge to help with the process and successfully complete the necessary care.
Head trauma, facial pain, and brain tumors are very concerning conditions that require the expertise of neurosurgeons and their team. At Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics, we offer comprehensive evaluations and the latest advancements in non-surgical and surgical treatments for the head and brain. We offer multiple convenient locations for treatment covering several counties, including Passaic County and Morris County, within towns such as Clifton, Jersey City, and Parsippany of New Jersey. Learn more about brain surgery options by contacting the doctors at CNSO today.
By correctly diagnosing that it is a brain-related issue that’s causing the patient’s discomfort and movement dysfunction, then planning and accurately performing the appropriate surgery, the patient will have their pain alleviated along with their movement, flexibility, and strength restored.
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Our Medical Staff
In order to provide an accurate diagnosis with the most effective treatment option for “back problems” and brain tumors, CNSO is led by neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons. Under the care of our award-winning neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons, Northern NJ patients can have the confidence that their medical condition will be handled with consideration for their comfort and long-term well-being as well as technical excellence.
