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Physiatrists Surgeons |
CINN
has specialists available to evaluate job requirements and susceptibility
to back injuries. If you are interested in this service, please contact
Lisa Dombro at ldombro@cinn.org
Editor’s MessageThis issue of the Discussant, CINN's electronic newsletter focusing on issues important to the work injury community, gives testament to our unwavering desire and sincere interest in providing patients with innovative technologies to improve the treatment options we offer. We will review the use of a new annular repair device that is designed to address one of the primary shortcomings of the lumbar discectomy procedure, that of re-herniation. CINN neurosurgeons are the first in the Chicagoland area to offer patients a safer, more effective surgical solution for herniated discs. This issue also highlights the innovative programming developed by CINN to reach out to patients and provide them with important education about avoiding and relieving back pain. By including local celebrities into our community and corporate educational forums, back pain sufferers are imparted with fun, interesting and relevant information on how to pursue their passions and move beyond their pain. Additionally, we are excited to announce the opening of our new office in Vernon Hills. By bringing CINN's long-standing tradition of collaboration between nonsurgical and surgical specialists to Lake County, CINN has the important distinction of being Lake County's only fully-integrated and comprehensive solution for patients suffering from back and neck pain. Through clinical advancement and true focus, CINN is paving the way for superior patient care in the Chicagoland area. We are committed to your patient's health as we partner with you in their care. My colleagues and I will work alongside you to provide the best solution for each individual patient. Christine
M. Villoch, MD |
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Neurosurgeons at Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch Using New Mesh-Like Device to Make Spine Surgery Safer
Neurosurgeons at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch are the first in the Chicago area to use a new device that is designed to make neurosurgery safer and prevent additional operations.
Today, thousands of patients suffer from pain in their lower back, frequently radiating into the buttocks and legs due to herniated discs, or rupture in the tissue that surrounds the disc. This causes the soft inner part of the disc to push out and compress the nerve root, causing intense and debilitating pain.
To treat this, neurosurgeons perform a discectomy, which requires they make a small incision in the outer layer of the disc, called the annulus fibrosus. Then, the surgeon removes the portion of the disc that is applying pressure to the nerves.
However, according to neurosurgeon Dean Karahalios, MD, of CINN, the disc could re-herniate through this opening or defect in the annulus fibrosus, resulting in relapsing pain and additional surgery.
Statistics show that approximately 10% or more of patients have reherniation following a lumbar discectomy and many of these patients require a re-operation. Re-operations are fraught with a higher risk for complications, such as nerve injury and CSF leaks.
To
help address this problem Dr.
Karahalios and his colleague Dr.
Noam Stadlan are using a new approach called an annular disc repair.
After removing the offending portion of the disc, Doctors Karahalios and
Stadlan implant a barrier to facilitate the healing process of the annulus
fibrosis. The barrier is an umbrella-like mesh implant made of polyethylene
that is inserted through the defect and opened up to act like a seal against
the disc material that might otherwise push through after the surgery.
See animation of the
annular disc repair.
"This procedure provides a unique new method for re-enforcing the annulus fibrosis following a discectomy procedure," said Dr. Karahalios.
"Previously, we did not have a reliable method of closing the annulus of the disc and when it is not repaired, the material inside may re-extrude, compress the nerve root, and result in recurrent pain and re-operation."
According to Dr. Karahalios, the procedure adds minimal time to the overall procedure and is easily completed. Patients are usually walking the same day and commonly begin physical therapy and exercise within 10 days to two weeks.
As in most cases of spine-related pain, surgery is considered only after conservative methods such as medication or physical therapy, are ineffective.
For more information visit the CINN website at www.cinn.org or call 1-800-446-1234.
CINN Patients Already Benefiting from New Annular Repair Device
Sandra Schroeder
Palatine resident Sandra Schroeder developed back pain while working as a nurse in Ireland.
"I worked with disabled and handicapped children and it was a physically demanding job," said the 39-year old mother of three. When she came to the United States in 1987 to live with her brother, she took a job as a paramedic and reinjured her back moving patients onto a gurney.
"I taught proper lifting techniques to fireman in Evanston but when you are a nurse or a paramedic, you aren't always in the right position to lift with your legs," she said. Sandra tried both conventional and complementary therapies to treat her back pain and had some success with these efforts.
Fast-forward to last year and Sandra is breeding dogs in Palatine. While backing out of one of the dog pens, she caught her heel on the edge of the cage and fell backward on her right hip. "I knew immediately that something was wrong. I tried physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture therapy but nothing worked this time," she said.
Her primary care doctor referred her to Dr. Dean Karahalios at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch who identified the problem — a disc herniation in the low back — and after an unsuccessful course of conservative therapy, recommended surgery.
Sandra's surgery, a microdiscectomy using the new annular repair device, Inclose, was performed on May 1 and she was back up on her feet soon afterward. She has already made plans to open the Palatine area's first dog spa, called Durty Dawg Express, complete with spa and bakery.
Alfredo Fricano
Alfredo Fricano, 66, has owned Alfredo's barbershop for 50 years at the same location on 833 N. State Street in Chicago. His regulars are his bread and butter and Cardinal George has been coming to him since he took over as Archbishop of the Chicago Archdiocese ten years ago.
Several months ago, Alfredo slipped and fell on his back and was in severe pain. After consultation with his physician, he was referred to Dr. Daniel Hurley of the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch. Dr. Hurley diagnosed a severe herniated disc in the patient's low back and referred Alfredo to his partner, Dr. Noam Stadlan, neurosurgeon, who recommended a discectomy for Alfredo's herniated disc. Alfredo underwent a microdiscectomy using a new annular repair device, Inclose, at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago last month. During his short recuperation after surgery, he received well wishes from Cardinal George. Alfredo resumed cutting hair within two weeks of his surgery.
CINN Highland Park Office moving to Vernon Hills
Beginning July 2, 2007 CINN will officially open its new office in Vernon Hills at 565 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 180, Vernon Hills at the Mercatus Physician Center. This new, expanded office will allow CINN to provide patients with more comprehensive care and convenient, on-site access to diagnostic capabilities, including x-ray, CT and MRI. Dr. Daniel Hurley and Dr. Christine Villoch, physiatrists specializing in the non-surgical treatment of patients with back and neck pain, will practice alongside four neurosurgeons, thereby forming the only comprehensive offering of spine services in the Lake County area.
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| Leonard
J. Cerullo, MD CINN Founder and Medical Director Neurosurgeon |
Edward
Mkrdichian, MD Medical Director, CINN Brain Tumor Program, Neurosurgeon |
Dan
Hurley, MD Fellowship-trained Spine Physiatrist |
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| Dean
Karahalios, MD Fellowship-trained Spine Neurosurgeon |
Christine
Villoch, MD Fellowship-trained Spine Physiatrist |
For more information consult the CINN website at www.cinn.org or call 847/984-6490.
CINN teams up with fitness experts to put a new spin on spine education
"Hitting
the Green Without Hurting Your Back," "Back in Action: Core
Strengthening Exercises with Andrea Metcalf," "Shooting for
Par: Exercise for Tee Time.... Or TV Time" are just a few examples
of presentations CINN physicians Daniel
Hurley, MD and Christine
Villoch, MD, in collaboration with local celebrities, have developed
and given in community centers and corporate offices over the past few
months. Recognizing the importance of understanding ways in which people
can help themselves either manage back pain or avoid it, CINN has partnered
with Andrea Metcalf (pictured above left), NBC5 Fitness Expert and Jim
Suttie (pictured above right), one of the most highly respected golf pros
in the nation. Incorporation of Andrea and Jim's expertise allows CINN
to connect with two passionate pastimes of many local residents: golf
and fitness. During these free seminars, CINN physicians provide an overview
of the anatomy and a brief discussion of the aspects of the back and neck
that can be strengthened through proper stretching or exasperated through
improper technique. The celebrity experts provide simple instruction and
tips as how to stretch and strengthen key muscles as well as embrace proper
technique to be kind to the neck and back.
If you know of any organization that would be interested in hosting a CINN educational seminar for employees, please contact Lisa Dombro at ldombro@cinn.org.
CINN in the News
Recently, several CINN physicians have been highlighted in local and national press. Respected as experts, TV, radio and newspaper reporters have reported on CINN's expertise in treating patients with back pain, and with AVMs, in investigating the prevalence of brain tumors from breast cancer, in using new technologies to navigate the brain as well as our thoughts on laughter therapy to alleviate back pain. Following is a summary of these reports.
Breast cancer that spreads to brain screened - Chicago Sun-Times
Cancer spreading from the breast to the brain isn't all that unusual - research has shown that one in five breast cancer patients face this problem. Even so, many patients don't get screened for this, according to Dr. Gail Rosseau, a neurosurgeon who's leading a clinical trial aimed at spotting these problems sooner. The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch wants to find out if using MRI scans to screen breast cancer patients can detect tumors that have spread to the brain before symptoms appear. Catching it early may improve the outcome, she said.
A Laughing Matter - ABC7 News
Even
some doctors who deal with high-tech medicine are making room for this
low-tech treatment. Dr.
Dan Hurley believes in the power of mind and body. He says, in the
right situations, a little well placed humor can impact a patient's outcome.
"I think laughter is one of the more magic things we as humans can
do innately. It also happens to be therapeutic," said Dan
Hurley, MD, physiatrist, CINN.
Laughing Matters - Daily Herald
With all the laughter filling the room of the Vernon Hills facility, you would have thought you had walked into the Zanies comedy club. But, all the laughter was really coming from people who attended the laughter therapy session recently at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) clinic in Vernon Hills.
The featured speakers at the event were Colleen Caron, a laughter therapist and chronic back pain patient, and Dr. Daniel Hurley, a physiatrist at CINN. Guests at the event either suffered from back pain and other types of pain, or just wanted to experience laughter therapy firsthand.
Navigating the Brain - ABC7 News
Minimally invasive brain surgery has been available for awhile. But new technology allows doctors to see the brain like never before. For stroke and aneurysm patients, it may mean not only less invasive procedures, but more effective surgery.
Dr. Demetrius Lopes, CINN neurosurgeon, works in a small but growing area of medicine known as neuroendovascular surgery. Just as other physicians are able to fix the heart with out a major operation, minimally invasive surgery is now possible in the brain. Some call it drill-free brain surgery. "With this type of technology we are finding that we can offer some treatments to patients that before we could not treat," said Dr. Lopes.
Rosseau's Brainstorm
- More magazine
One
of the country's top neurosurgeons wants to give women who have had breast
cancer a chance to know their future. This article summarizes some of
the controversies surrounding scanning for brain metastases from breast
cancer and introduces the screening study being conducted by Dr.
Rosseau at CINN.
Back to Basics - Vernon Hills Review; all North Shore Pioneer Press papers
Dan Hurley, MD, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Chicago Institute of Neurology and Neuroresearch, which recently opened a branch in Vernon Hills. Hurley and Suttie have teamed up to teach north suburban golfers a kinder, gentler way to golf.
Hurley said he's seen more and more patients coming in with back injuries that are related to golf. "Golf seems the most approachable sport for people who want to get exercise but can't run around," he said. "But at the same time, people underestimate the stress and strain it can bring."
Soccer Season, Then Surgery - The Times, Northwest Indiana
Northwest
Indiana soccer star, Ashley Berner, is treated by Dr.
Thomas Grobelny in June for an AVM found as a result of an MRI exam
ordered because of headaches. While the AVM probably wasn't causing the
headaches, the incidental finding may have saved the high school senior's
life. Dr. Grobelny embolized the AVM at the Neurologic & Orthopedic
Institute of Chicago using a minimally-invasive approach.