Surgical therapies for spasticity include lesions which interrupt the abnormal spinal cord circuits, and implantation of a spinal catheter and programmable pump to deliver drugs directly to the spinal cord. A team composed of specialists from neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and neurology work together to choose the optimal combination of treatments for each individual. More recently, a program of endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular and spinal arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms has been instituted by Dr. Michel Mawad, in collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery. In some instances, a combination of endovascular embolization and surgical therapy provides the optimal treatment, especially for vascular tumors and some AVMs. M.D. Transsphenoidal Surgery is most commonly used to access pituitary tumors, although sinus or optic tumors are also sometimes removed through this route.
Transsphenoidal surgery is performed using fluoroscopy and endoscopic techniques.
Neuroradiology and otorhinolaryngology work closely with neurosurgery, depending on the nature of the pathology. Harvey S. Levin, Ph.D. A complex array of neuropsychological tests is used to assess brain function, delineate pathology and help tailor the surgical access and tissue removal for many neurosurgical procedures. Neuropsychological testing is an especially important component of epilepsy assessment, and can be used to delineate subtle pre- and postoperative changes in cognitive, memory and emotional functioning. Neuropsychological testing is also useful for patients with brain injury to help these individuals optimize their cognitive and functional recovery.