About the Division of Neuro-Oncologic Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Academic Title: Professor
Director, Division of Neuro-Oncologic Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Co-Director, Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program
Board Certifications:
Neurological Surgery
The surgeons in Jefferson's Division of Neuro-Oncologic Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery are dedicated to curing brain tumors or, when a cure is not possible, maximizing both the length and quality of the patient's life.
All surgical techniques developed in the Division are designed to provide therapeutic benefit while remaining safe and, when possible, are minimally invasive. Specific techniques include the combined use of MRI with motor and/or speech corticography (an electrical procedure for accurate evaluation of lesional-functional activity) as well as neuroendoscopy, stereotactic brain biopsy and craniotomy to surgically remove brain tumors.
Additionally, stereotactic radiosurgery, minimally invasive and highly effective radiation treatments for malignant or benign tumors and lesions of the brain or spine are also available to treat brain tumors. Stereotactic radiosurgery isn't "surgery" in the traditional sense. Rather, it is the one-time application of a single large radiation dose – or fraction – to a tumor or tangle of abnormal blood vessels known as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The radiation effectively targets the problem area while minimizing the effects on surrounding healthy tissue.