Division of Neuro-Oncologic Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Neuro-Oncologic Neurosurgery
Neuro-oncologic neurosurgery involves the surgical treatment of brain tumors.
Because Jefferson Hospsital for Neuroscience's Division of Neuro-Oncologic Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery takes
a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, our
staff works in close collaboration with
Michael Sperling, MD, the Director of the
Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and the Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, as well as the Director of the Clinical
Neurophysiology Laboratories at Thomas Jefferson University and Wills Eye Hospitals. Dr. Sperling is an experienced neurologist
with specialty training in neurophysiology and epilepsy.
Our goal is to cure or, when cure is not possible, maximize both length and quality of life for each of our patients. All
surgical techniques developed in the Division are designed to maximize therapeutic benefit while remaining safe and, when
possible, are minimally invasive.
Among surgical techniques that have been developed within the Division is the combined use of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging,
an imaging technique often superior to X-ray-based image guidance) with motor and/or speech corticography (a electrical procedure
for accurate evaluation of lesional-functional activity). This has provided patients with safe and effective means of removing
tumors near speech or motor function without harming these vital brain areas. In addition to refining MRI-based image-guidance
techniques, the Division is currently establishing a fluorescent-image guidance technique adopted from Munich, Germany to
augment glioma resections.
For tumors deep within the brain, surgical techniques used in the division include:
- Neuroendoscopy - Insertion of a thin tube into the brain, allowing the surgeon to move a probe within the ventricular cavity
to the region containing a tumor and then to perform microsurgery, which is carefully targeted surgery that is relatively
fast, spares healthy brain cells and presents minimal risk to the patient.
- Stereotactic brain biopsy - For biopsy of brain tumors otherwise inaccessible for resection
- Craniotomy - A surgical incision into the skull for tumor resection.
We practice a no-shave technique that has proven to be safe, free of infection, and cosmetically more pleasing to patients
undergoing craniotomy (a surgical incision into the skull) for tumor resection.
Cranial skin incisions are actually closed without suture and instead with Dermabond(r), which dissolves over a week to 10
days, eliminating the need for suture removal in the post-operative period. We have also pioneered the use of bio-absorbable
plating systems utilizing polylactide materials that promote rigid bone fixation and native bone re-mineralization while slowly
metabolzing harmlessly to carbon dioxide and water.
