Services We Provide

Neuro-Oncology |
The Spine Clinic |
Peripheral Nerve Evaluation & Treatment |
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Evaluation and Treatment

Peripheral Nerve Evaluation & Treatment

The Memorial Neuroscience Center, working in conjunction with our affiliated healthcare providers, also does evaluation and treatment of various peripheral nerve problems.

Entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy secondary to entrapment at the elbow are amongst the most common problems evaluated and treated by both surgical and non-surgical means.

Nerve injuries from penetrating wounds are a challenging problem that are frequently benefited by nerve exploration, neurolysis, and nerve grafting when indicated.

Sometimes patients will have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, but will also have additional causes of pain and disability, such as radicular pain from a spine problem. These patients may also benefit from evaluation.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Evaluation and Treatment

A Service of the Memorial Neuroscience Center and Brooks Rehabilitation

The condition of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) was first described in 1967.

The advent of CT scans and MRI scans since that time have led to the widespread recognition of patients that appeared to have hydrocephalus.

We feel that using a set of specific criteria now available to diagnose and screen patients for this condition, we can offer the best possible chance of improvement with shunting procedures. The tests involved are:

Clinical History and Examination to establish the presence of ataxia, bladder dysfunction, and dementia.
MRI or CT with contrast to establish whether hydrocephalus is present.
Neuropsychological evaluation through Brooks Rehab
Gait Evaluation through Brooks Rehab
Spinal Tap for pressure measurements and removal of 30-40 cc of CSF.
Re-evaluation of neuropsychological testing and gait evaluation within hours of the spinal tap

For patients who fit diagnostic criteria by clinical history and exam and MRI, and who respond to the spinal tap with an improvement of gait or intellect, a VP shunt operation is offered using the latest technology of programmable shunts.

For patients who undergo surgery, follow-up CT scans for ventricular size, follow-up visits regarding symptoms, and follow-up late neuropsychological testing is carried out until the patients response to surgery is optimized.