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The
neurosciences service line of Loyola University Health
System (Loyola) comprises neurology, neurological surgery
and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat).
Our
Programs
Neurological
Surgery
Pediatric Neuroscience Program –
this program has grown in the past year, with a 23 percent
increase in procedures. A new spasticity management
program was launched, which will broaden overall services
offered.
Functional
Neurological Surgery – a new movement disorder
surgical program has been initiated, offering both permanent
lesion and deep brain stimulator therapy.
Neuro-Endovascular
Services – a joint venture of the radiology
and neurological surgery departments, this new program
provides endovascular treatment of aneurysms, tumors,
carotid stenosis and stroke.
Trauma/Critical
Care – neurological surgery plays a critical
role in the care and treatment of trauma cases. Efforts
are underway to strengthen the relationship between
neurotrauma and critical care as part of the trauma
service at Loyola.
Neuro-Oncology
– the number of new cancer cases treated by Loyola’s
neuroscience team has increased by 17 percent, although
brain/nervous system, and head and neck cancers only
represent about 3 percent of cases in the general population.
The Radiation Oncology Department, in coordination with
the Neurological Surgery Department, has implemented
a new computer assisted radiation delivery system, utilizing
stereotactic radiotherapy in 3-D treatment planning.
Center
for Cranial Base Surgery – a joint program
of neurological surgery and otolaryngology, the center
was established in 1988 to treat patients with various
neoplastic and vascular lesions of the head and neck,
using diagnostic methods, surgical techniques and therapies.
Otolaryngology-Head
and Neck Surgery
Head
and Neck Cancer Center – treats approximately
300 new patients and logs more than 3,000 patient visits
each year. Because cancers of the head and neck can
be hidden in the back of the tongue or throat, and can
grow slowly with vague symptoms, diagnosis is often
delayed, giving the tumor time to spread. The center’s
goal is to perform surgery to eliminate the cancer while
preserving as much of the patient’s function and
cosmetic appearance as possible.
Nasal
Sinus Center – directed by nationally recognized
sinus specialists, this center provides comprehensive
assessment, diagnosis and treatment of nasal and sinus
problems. Sinus disease and sinusitis afflicts some
30 million people nationally. To date, more than 3,000
sinus surgeries have been performed on an outpatient
basis.
Center
for Voice Disorders – Patients with swallowing
or voice disorders have consulted with specialists at
Loyola’s Center for Voice Disorders, which offers
a high level of diagnostics, non-surgical and surgical
treatment, information and teaching.
Center
for Sleep Disorders – treats patients with
sleep apnea, a potentially fatal condition of breathing
abnormalities that disrupt a patient’s sleep.
Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a simple,
cost-effective outpatient procedure that has been used
successfully as an alternative to traditional surgery
in treating sleep apnea. The center is accredited
by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine; it is expanding
to two sites and six beds to accommodate patients.
Facial
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery –
Loyola surgeons perform a variety of cosmetic and facial
reconstructive surgeries and procedures for adults and
children.
Audiology
Department – staffed by some of the
nation’s leading audiologists, treats patients
with hearing and dizziness disorders. Services include
leading-edge diagnostic facilities, with behavioral
assessments as well as electrophysiologic techniques.
Loyola specialists are known for having helped develop
some of the most comprehensive analysis techniques to
ensure the highest possible accuracy in interpretation
and efficiency in test administration.
Neurology
Specializes in the treatment of:
National/State
Leadership
- Loyola’s
Center for Cranial
Base Surgery, the first of its kind in the Midwest,
has performed more than 700 cranial-based procedures,
the most in Illinois.
- Loyola
is one of only a few centers nationally performing
the GDC procedure (Guglielmi Detachable Coil), in
which a soft platinum alloy micro-coil is placed through
the femoral artery into a cerebral aneurysm, isolating
it from circulation and thereby reducing pressure
and the likelihood of rupture and stroke.
- Loyola
joins only a few centers nationwide performing an
outpatient procedure called vertebroplasty in which
injections of methylmethacrylate paste prevent the
vertebrae in the spinal column from collapsing due
to osteoporosis or other bone-related disorders. Through
the procedure, patients report relief from severe,
chronic back pain without the need for narcotic medications
or major back surgery.
Loyola
has performed more than 500 acoustic neuroma procedures
during the last eight years. The average hospital does
about one to five of these operations annually. An estimated
2,000 to 3,000 new cases of unilateral acoustic neuromas
are diagnosed each year in the United States. Acoustic
neuromas are noncancerous growths that can cause deafness
and, ultimately, death.
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