Neurosurgery in Florida

Overview

The Department of Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida provides expertise for patients with problems involving the head, spine, cerebrovascular system and peripheral nerves. A team approach to neurologic problems is a cornerstone of Mayo Clinic's practice, and many patients are seen jointly by a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.

Special expertise is offered through multidisciplinary teams for patients with brain tumors and related neurological cancer problems. Mayo Clinic offers computer-assisted stereotactic neurosurgery, an advanced surgical system developed at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for removal of brain tumors. An X-knife radiosurgery unit at Mayo Clinic in Florida provides stereotactic radiosurgery as a treatment option for some patients with brain tumors.

An active neuro-oncology program includes a brain tumor research program in the Birdsall Medical Research Building. Many National Cancer Institute-approved clinical protocols, including new gene therapy protocols, are available through participation in the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.

In collaboration with the Department of Neurology, neurosurgeons provide evaluations of patients with epilepsy or Parkinson's disease who may be candidates for surgery. Mayo Clinic's Epilepsy Program offers an inpatient unit with 24-hour intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring for patients with seizure disorders. Patients with medically intractable Parkinson's disease, tremor and dystonia are evaluated for stereotactic pallidotomy, thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation.

State-of-the-art care is offered for patients with spinal disorders, including degenerative problems, spinal instability, tumors of the spine and spinal cord, vascular malformations and complications of rheumatoid arthritis. When appropriate, patients are managed by a team that includes Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists.

Computer-assisted stereotactic spine surgery and minimally invasive surgical options are available for selected conditions. A wide range of spinal fusion techniques also are available.