Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

ACDF is a surgical procedure performed to treat damaged discs in the neck region of the spine. It involves entering the neck through a small incision in the front (anterior), removing all or part of the damaged disc (discectomy), placement of graft or cage into that space to restore disc height and facilitate healing and the laying down of new bone across the disc space (fusion).

Attending Neurosurgeon

Fully trained and board-certified professor of neurosurgery, responsible for performing operations independently as well as teaching the practice of neurosurgery to residents in training.

Craniotomy

A craniotomy is a surgical procedure to open the skull (cranium) by removing a section of bone (bone flap) in order to access the underlying tissues, usually the brain. The bone flap is then replaced at the end of the procedure.

Craniectomy

A craniectomy is a surgical procedure to open the skull (cranium) by removing a section of bone (bone flap) in order to access the underlying tissues, usually the brain. Unlike a craniotomy, the bone flap is not replaced at the end of the procedure.

Endovascular Coiling

Endovascular coiling is minimally invasive procedure used to treat aneurysms from 'inside the blood vessels.' It does not require open surgery, but involves the insertion of a small catheter into the large artery of leg (femoral artery) in order to gain access to the blood vessels and navigate through the vascular system to the brain. Tiny platinum coils are then threaded through the catheter and deployed into the aneurysm, blocking blood flow into the aneurysm and preventing rupture.

Epidural Steroid Injection

Epidural steroid injection is an injection of long-lasting steroids into the space around the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots (epidural space). The steroid injected reduces the inflammation and swelling of spinal nerves. This may in turn reduce pain, tingling and numbness and other symptoms caused by nerve inflammation, irritation or swelling.

External Neurolysis

External neurolysis (a.k.a., neuroplasty) is the separation of a nerve from a surrounding bed of scar tissue and adhesions compressing an otherwise intact nerve.