Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is the specialty which looks after the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders of the nervous system. This includes disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.
Diagnostics
Our Consultant Neurosurgeons have access to the most technologically advanced diagnostic imaging equipment in Ireland. Following your consultation, where necessary, your Consultant may refer you to our Radiology Department for diagnostic imaging.
Diagnostic imaging requested may include: CT, MRI, Xray amongst others.
Results and Next Steps
Once all necessary tests have taken place, your Neurosurgeon will decide what next steps, if any, are necessary. Where no further action is required, you will be discharged back to the care of your GP.
Where further investigation or intervention is required, your Consultant will discuss these next steps with you in detail. If your care requires an MDT (multidisciplinary team) approach, your Consultant will arrange this.
An example of where an MDT approach may be necessary is where there is a discovery of a brain tumour which may need a group of experts for different medical inputs. Your Neurosurgeon may perform the surgery to remove the tumour. A Medical Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist may also be needed to provide therapies from their areas of expertise. Eg radiation oncology to shrink the tumour before surgery and potentially medical oncology for chemotherapy post-surgery where indicated.
Beacon Hospital has a fully encompassing acute care service and is able to provide the necessary care for all stages of your journey.
Where surgery is required for issues such as back pain (eg slipped discs/spinal fusion) or scoliosis correctional surgeries, your Consultant will discuss the various options available to you and can arrange same.
Our theatre department is equipped and appropriately staffed to perform even the most complex of spinal surgeries such as scoliosis correctional surgeries on children, adolescents and adults. Our team of specialist physiotherapists work directly with the Neurosurgeons and the wards in ensuring rehabilitation post-surgery is carried out in line with best practices globally.
Typical Surgeries
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Brain Tumour Excision Surgery
Beacon Hospital regularly performs surgeries to excise complex and deep-seated brain tumours. Our surgeons use a variety of techniques including computer guided surgery to remove these tumours safely and effectively. Our state-of-the-art theatres offer our consultants the latest in imaging equipment to ensure they have an optimal visual tracking for precision during surgery.
Our hospital is fully equipped to take patients through their recovery which involves input from a range of experts including our specialist nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Should further treatment for the condition be required, eg medical oncology in the case of removal of a cancerous tumour which now requires chemotherapy, this will be arranged for you. Your Consultant Neurosurgeon will transfer this element of your care to one of our experienced Consultant Medical Oncologists.
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Compression-Based Growth-Friendly Surgery
Sometimes used for curves of less than 35 degrees, vertebral staples or tethers are placed on the convex side of the curve to inhibit further growth on this side.
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Hemi-Epiphysiodesis
Where one side grows more than the other, this procedure aims to stop the growth on the fast-growing side with the intention that the other side will catch up. This is usually used only in patients with congenitally abnormal bones causing spinal curves.
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Hemivertebra Resection
Usually used in young children with abnormally shaped vertebrae. Some of these vertebrae may be removed from the front or the back of the spine and the vertebrae above and below then fused.
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In Situ Spinal Fusion
This procedure fuses vertebrae together to stop the progression of the patient’s scoliotic curve.
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Posterior Spinal Fusion with Instrumentation
Performed to stop curvature of the spine and achieve permanent correction. The procedure provides permanent stabilization in the corrected position by removing the joints between the vertebrae to be fused. Sometimes, an anterior spinal fusion with instrumentation is performed at the same time.
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Scoliosis Correctional Surgery
Where scoliosis correctional surgery is required, the technique used will be determined by the Neurosurgeon by taking into account the characteristics of the symptoms of the individual case such as the degree of spinal curvature as well as the cause of the scoliosis.
What is suitable for one patient, may not be suitable for another. Your Consultant will explain the reasons for the technique most suited to each individual patient.
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Spine and Rib-Based Growing-Rod Operation
One or two metal rods may be inserted under the skin in the curved area of either the spine or ribs and are attached at either side by hooks or screws. These are usually replaced every 6 months as your child continues to grow. The curve is often improved by 50% at the time of the first operation.
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