Neurological care

We are proud to be at the forefront of neurological diagnostics and treatments. Our hospital houses a 72-bed neuroscience unit, which includes an 18-bed Neuro Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU) and an 18-bed Neuro Step-Down unit. Following treatment, we are dedicated to aiding our patients in their recovery processes.

In addition to the comprehensive technology and imaging services offered in our radiology department, we offer advanced neuroimaging of the brain and spine. We employ board-certified neuroradiologists who have additional years of training in performing neuroimaging procedures and reading and interpreting the results.

Our hospital is home to a neuroangiography surgical suite where we perform minimally invasive imaging procedures and treatments 24/7, including:

• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Endoscopic procedures
• Image-guided procedures
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

DBS is a surgical option for patients with tremors caused by Parkinson's disease, essential tremor or MS. This treatment involves implanting a pacemaker-like device that sends electrical impulses to inactivate the parts of the brain causing symptoms.

There are many conditions that can arise in the region of the anterior skull base, including but not limited to benign (noncancerous) tumors, malignant (cancerous) tumors and leakage of fluid from the brain into the nose. This is why anterior skull base conditions and tumors require the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of specialists in the fields of cancer care, neurosurgery, and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat care) and neuroradiology. At our hospital, this team meets to consider each patient's unique needs before recommending a treatment plan.

Types of skull base tumors we treat

We treat a wide range of brain tumors that are found in the skull base, including:

• Angiofibroma: a noncancerous tumor forming in the nasal cavity and made up of tissues and blood vessels
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak: an abnormality when cerebrospinal fluid leaks out of the skull base and exits through the ear or nose
• Chordoma: a type of slow-growing spinal tumor that can expand into surrounding tissues and bones
• Craniopharyngioma: a type of brain tumor normally occurring in children and adolescents near the pituitary gland
• Encephalocele: a congenital abnormality of the neural tube that creates a hole in the skull base that allows for a protrusion of the brain outside of the skull
• Esthesioneuroblastoma: a type of cancerous tumor occurring in the nasal cavity at the front of the skull base
• Meningioma: a tumor that is found on the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, usually noncancerous
• Pituitary tumor (adenoma): abnormal growths in the pituitary gland

Treatment for pituitary and skull base tumors

Our neurosurgeons have multiple surgical options to treat brain tumors:

• Image-guided, computer-assisted endoscopic sinus and nasal surgery
• Minimally invasive endoscopic anterior skull base surgery
• Minimally invasive microscopic anterior skull base surgery

Brain tumor treatment

We offer the latest FDA-cleared treatment for operable brain tumors. This surgically targeted radiation therapy provides immediate, dose-intense treatment at the surgical site after tumor removal using tiles. The small tiles provide targeted radiation, aiming to destroy any remaining cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. This innovative approach helps to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and reduce potential side effects. 

The radiation process lasts approximately six weeks, and the body naturally resorbs the tiles.

At The Spine Institute, our orthopedic spine specialists and neurologists work hand-in-hand to provide comprehensive care for injuries and conditions affecting the spine. The neck and back are complex, vital structures in our bodies, and the specialists at The Spine Institute have received extensive training to provide the highest level of care for our patients. We offer nonsurgical treatment options, like pain management techniques, and a full range of surgical options, including minimally invasive spine procedures.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has recognized our hospital's stroke care with the Get With The Guidelines Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. This award recognizes our compliance with stringent guidelines and superior outcomes for stroke patients. We are certified by The Joint Commission as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center.

Neurointerventional radiology procedures provide a complete spectrum of minimally invasive services for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vascular problems related to the brain and spinal cord. Certain conditions that would have required open surgery can now be considered for minimally invasive treatment using endovascular approaches. Our neurointerventionalists specialize in the minimally invasive, endovascular approach of navigating microcatheters through the blood vessels under continuous X-ray guidance. Some diseases treated with these techniques may include strokes, tumors, vascular malformations, cerebral aneurysms and carotid artery disease.

Benefits of endoscopy

We perform endoscopic surgery whenever possible. Benefits of endoscopic surgery include:

• Better visualization of the surgical field
• Faster recovery time
• Increased ability to remove an entire tumor
• No need for nasal packing
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter surgical time

We have a specialized inpatient unit designed to evaluate, diagnose, and treat seizures using state-of-the-art continuous video-electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring technology.

Patients may come to the JFK Hospital EMU for diagnosis of:

• Classification of typical spell or seizure
• Localization of seizure
• Anti-epileptic medication adjustment

The EMU care team includes:

• Board-certified epileptologists
• Epilepsy nurse practitioner
• Neurology (and epilepsy) trained nurses and EEG technologists