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Our Locations
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Neurosurgery
Our expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical diseases is available right here in the Merrimack Valley. We perform surgeries at the Lawrence General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Lowell General Hospital, and Lowell General – Saints Campus. We coordinate with primary care physicians and specialists such as oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists and other surgeons to help patients who choose to have their neurosurgical care locally. In cases wherein local resources become inadequate, patients are referred to tertiary care centers. We rely on the best available imaging technology such as functional MRI, tractography, spectroscopy, and PET/CT scans, to facilitate diagnosis. We use the Brainlab image-guidance system to accurately localize brain tumors. Electrophysiologic monitoring during surgery, such as SSEP, MEP, and EMG, is available to ensure the best possible surgical outcome.
Brain Disorders
The neurologists and neurosurgeons of NENA work in a cooperative effort to diagnose and treat patients who may present with a variety of brain disorders, including brain tumors, blood vessel disorders, Chiari malformation, hydrocephalus, and those caused by trauma and infection. We also perform surgeries to treat movement disorders, seizure disorders and trigeminal neuralgia.
The surgeons of the Divisions of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Spine Surgery work in close collaboration to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of conditions relating to the spine including but not limited to back and neck pain, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disc herniation, fractures, kyphoplasty, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and kyphosis, and spinal cord tethering. Surgical procedures offered vary including outpatient, “same-day” disc surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, as well as complex spine surgery. Here at New England Neurological, we draw upon our extensive array of services and programs to weave a comprehensive and integrated treatment plan for you beginning from the moment you first step through our doors.
We perform surgeries that relieve the symptoms caused by the compression of the nerves in the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) or elbow (ulnar neuropathy). Patients usually present with pain, numbness, weakness or muscle atrophy. NENA neurologists confirm the diagnosis with EMG. These surgeries are done under local anesthesia with light sedation. Patients are discharged on the same day. We also remove tumors of the nerves such as neurofibromas and schwannomas.
We understand how pain can adversely affect the quality of life of many patients. We perform many surgeries to alleviate pain arising from a variety of causes. In addition to the spine surgeries, we also perform procedures that help control the pain in cancer patients and those with neuropathic pain. We coordinate with the oncologists and pain specialists to offer the best treatment options for these patients who have intractable pain.
Cingulotomy involves the lesioning of the cingulate gyrus of the brain to diminish the unpleasant experience of pain. This is done with stereotactic guidance similar to DBS electrode placement. This procedure may benefit some cancer patients with severe pain that is not relieved by medications.
For patients with complex regional pain syndrome or neuropathic pain that is not responsive to medications, spinal cord stimulation may provide sufficient pain relief to allow them to return to normal activities. We work with NENA pain specialists who evaluate potential patients and insert a trial electrode into the epidural space of the spinal canal. The electrode is connected to a generator that sends electrical impulses to stimulate the spinal cord. In patients who obtain good pain relief during the trial, we insert a permanent lead and generator. Patients usually go home on the same day. The stimulator is programmed two weeks after implantation.
We work with the neurologists and physiatrists to care for patients who present with severe spasticity of the arms or legs caused by spinal cord injury or stroke. The spasticity may become quite painful or may hinder rehabilitation. Baclofen injected into the spinal canal may result in better control of the spasticity than oral medications. In patients who respond well to the intrathecal baclofen injection, we insert a catheter into the spinal canal and connect it to a programmable pump that is implanted under the skin. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. Patients are usually discharged on the same day.
Botox injections are also available in the treatment of various forms of spasticity and rigidity, and dystonias.