Brain Conditions

A cerebral aneurysm (intracranial aneurysm) is an abnormal dilation (ballooning) of an artery supplying the brain with blood. There are many causes of cerebral aneurysms and some may require treatment to avoid rupture. If an aneurysm ruptures within the brain, it can cause a stroke (hemorrhagic stroke). This can leave you with permanent neurological impairment and in some cases death.

If you have been diagnosed with an aneurysm, our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Neurosurgery are able to advise you on the best management for treatment using a multidisciplinary approach with our endovascular neuro-radiology colleagues.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is another condition affecting the blood vessels in the brain that can cause neurologic impairment, seizures or rupture causing stroke or even death.

If you have been diagnosed with an AVM, our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Neurosurgery are able to advise you on the best management for treatment using a multidisciplinary approach with our endovascular neuro-radiology colleagues.

A Chiari malformation is a condition in which a part of the brain (cerebellar tonsils) creates compression through the opening at the base of the skull where the brain meets the spinal cord.

There are several types of Chiari malformations and some need to be treated surgically in order to prevent further neurological impairment and/or improve symptoms Our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Neurosurgery are able to evaluate your condition and possibly offer surgery. Not all patients with Chiari require surgery.

In certain cases, seizures can be treated with surgery. Sometimes part of the brain can be removed or a vagal nerve stimulator can be placed. Epilepsy surgery can improve seizures or decrease the amount/ dosage of medications, but complete seizure freedom does not always occur.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of nerve pain that affects your face.

Surgical techniques used to treat trigeminal neuralgia may include craniotomy for microvascular decompression.

This procedure involves opening the skull and inserting a small piece of felt (cotton) between the nerve and the offending artery.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

A vagus nerve stimulator is an implantable device used to send electrical impulses to the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy.

Usually your neurologist will determine if a Vagus nerve stimulator is right for you.

Our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Neurosurgery have experience with the various different types of stimulators and would be happy to sit down with you and discuss what the surgery entails, including:

• Carpal Tunnel Release
• Ulnar Nerve Decompressions and Transpositions
• Peripheral Nerve Tumor