::Wayne State University Department of Neurological Surgery specializing in gamma knife radiosurgery, brain tumor surgery, spinal tumor surgery, endoscopic neurosurgery, reconstructive spine surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, and other general neurological surgeries.

As a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, the epilepsy surgery program at Harper University Hospital offers expertise in diagnosis and management of all forms of epilepsy, and can provide advanced treatments using both medical and surgical approaches. Neurosurgeons at Harper work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurophysiologists, and neuroradiologists with special expertise in the evaluation of patients with seizure disorders.

An extensive evaluation and testing process is required to determine the part of the brain responsible for the seizures and to assess the appropriateness and impact of surgical intervention. If pre-surgical evaluation suggests that surgery may be beneficial, patients may undergo one of the following procedures:

Selective amygdalo-hippocampectomy - Selective removal of the medial temporal structures. This operation is offered to patients with mesial temporal sclerosis.

Anterior temporal lobectomy - Removal of the anterior temporal lobe including the medial temporal structures.

Extratemporal resection - Removal of epileptogenic cerebral cortex outside the temporal lobe.

Functional hemispherectomy - Functional disconnection of the hemisphere in patients with severe unilateral damage and intractable epilepsy.

Functional hemispherectomy - Functional disconnection of the hemisphere in patients with severe unilateral damage and intractable epilepsy.

Corpus Callosotomy - Sectioning of the corpus callosum to disconnect the two hemispheres and prevent the spread of seizures from one hemisphere to the other. This remains an effective operation for patients with generalized tonic clonic seizures or drop attacks whose seizures are poorly localized with EEG.

Multiple subpial transection - Transection of the cortex without removal when the epileptogenic zone is in a functionally important area such as the motor and language areas.

Vagal Nerve Stimulation - Implantation of a stimulating electrode around the left vagal nerve and attaching it to a pulse generator which is implanted under the skin just below the collar bone. This operation is typically offered to patients with complex partial epilepsy poorly localized with EEG.

BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY

At Harper University Hospital, brain tumor therapy involves interdisciplinary collaboration among neurological surgery, radiation oncology, medical neurooncology, and Gamma Knife� radiosurgery.

During surgery to remove brain tumors, we use brain-mapping techniques to identify and avoid injury to sites of language, motor, and sensory function. These techniques permit the surgeon to resect the tumor and epileptic foci to the maximum extent possible, while minimizing injury to the surrounding brain tissue. We also offer the most advanced surgical navigation systems, which permit the greatest precision in tumor resection. In addition, we have an intraoperative MRI unit that allows even greater precision in localizing a tumor during surgery and promises better surgical outcomes and faster recovery. HUH was the first in Michigan to offer this innovative technology.

From awake craniotomies to minimally invasive tumor surgery and non-invasive Gamma Knife � radiosurgery, many innovative treatment options are available.

Gamma Knife � radiosurgery is a revolutionary, non-invasive technology that uses precisely targeted beams of radiation - instead of scalpel incisions - for brain surgery. This innovative and effective procedure dissolves tumors, vascular malformations and other brain disorders with little or no damage to the surrounding tissue.

Neurosurgeons at Harper University Hospital are pioneering minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures - accessing the brain through tiny burr holes or via the nose and sinus cavity. One procedure pioneered in Michigan at Harper University Hospital - Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy - is fast becoming the preferred choice for the treatment of pituitary tumors. Using a small endoscope, surgeons approach the pituitary gland through the patient's nose and sinus cavity. Since no incisions are necessary, the patient experiences virtually no pain and often returns home after only two days in the hospital.

Working in partnership with Karmanos Cancer Institute, Harper neurosurgeons can implant a "chemotherapy wafer" inside in a resection cavity after removing a brain tumor - delivering a targeted dose of chemotherapy directly to affected tissue over time.