Neurosurgery

Our patient-centric mission is evident in everything we do, from the skilled care offered in our clinical sections to the pioneering research being conducted on projects ranging from stem cells and brain tumors to epilepsy.

In 1998, the department introduced the first stereotactic radiosurgery/gamma knife therapy in the region. Since then, our work on behalf of patients in need of neurosurgical care has grown rapidly. Today, we offer world-class care through seven clinical sections and one program:

• The surgical neuro-oncology program includes weekly tumor board conferences with oncology, pathology and radiation therapists to discuss patients’ diagnoses and treatment options.
• The spine section is creating the Yale Spine Institute, which will provide diagnosis, physical therapy and pain management of spine ailments, emphasizing minimally invasive approaches.
• The neurovascular section is one of only a few programs in the country to offer open intracranial surgery and catheter-based endovascular therapy for cerebrovascular diseases.
• The pediatric neurosurgery section, the oldest program of its kind in the region, also cares for children with developmental skull and facial deformities.
• The functional and stereotactic neurosurgery section provides non-destructive reversible therapy for patients with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain and Tourette’s syndrome. Treatments for some psychiatric disorders are being developed.
• The epilepsy surgery section is among the first to introduce modern epilepsy monitoring and surgery for adults and children.
• The pituitary tumor section works with doctors in the Department of Medicine’s endocrine section to treat pituitary tumors within the context of surgical neuroendocrine disorders.
• The neuropsychology section offers testing and consultation to treat neurological diseases and preserve cognitive function.

The Department of Neurosurgery also provides neurosurgical care for veterans at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven.

Dennis D. Spencer, M.D.

Dennis D. Spencer, M.D., Department Chair more…

 

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News

BREAKING RESEARCH NEWS

Sunday, November 9, 2008
Yale Researchers Unravel Mystery of Brain Aneurysms: Identification of Intracranial Aneurysm Genes"
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Advances in Radiosurgery

Friday, September 12, 2008
Celebrating Yale New Haven Gamma Knife Center's 10th Aniversary
New Haven Lawn Club
193 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT
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