BUFFALO NEUROSURGERY GROUP - WEST SENECA OFFICE

The core mission of the Buffalo Neurosurgery Group is to provide excellent neurosurgical services in a compassionate and caring environment. Multiple centers of excellence in neurosurgery have been developed to meet the current and future demands of both patients and the medical services components of the Western New York community. By positioning members at major hospitals throughout Western New York, the group offers competitive neurosurgical services which meet the requirements of health care providers in terms of both quality and economy.

Conditions treatable with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery include: metastatic brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, and pituitary adenomas. Patients with malignant tumors, including gliomas and astrocytomas, may also be candidates for Gamma Knife treatment . Sometimes the Gamma Knife is used along with conventional surgery or as a boost in traditional radiotherapy. There are times when conventional surgery is preferred over Gamma Knife for these indications. The neurosurgeon will know the best form of management for each case.

The Gamma Knife is not an experimental procedure. More than 100, 000 procedures have been performed and it is recognized by most insurance carriers including Medicare.

The Gamma Knife procedure is performed routinely on an outpatient basis. There is no need for an incision or general anesthesia. The procedure, including application of the frame, treatment planning, and treatment takes anywhere from 2-4 hours. For the patient, much of this time is spent waiting after the CT/MRI while the dose plan is formulated.

Neck pain and associated shoulder and arm pain are the source of a great deal of suffering and expense in lost time from employment. Most patients without objective neurological loss will improve with conservative treatment alone. Conservative treatment can consist of manipulation, cervical traction, cervical collars and analgesics. When symptoms persist or worsen over an extended period of time (4-6 weeks), further diagnostic evaluation is warranted. Diagnostic tests such as MRI, CT or occasionally myelography or discography can be performed. The most commonly found abnormality is a herniated cervical disk. Far less common are other causes such as spinal stenosis, nerve root entrapment or tumor.