Neurological Surgery
UW Medicine Neurological Surgery in Seattle, Washington, is an international leader in the care and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves.
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UW Medicine Neurological Surgery specializes in the management of acute brain or spinal trauma, vascular disease, disorders of the brain, peripheral nerves and spine.

We are located in Seattle, Washington and our UW physicians, who practice at Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, use state-of-the art technology to ensure patients receive uncompromised care and access to the most advanced facilities and modern resources.

In addition, our well established NIH and privately funded research programs allow us to bring leading-edge advances in neurosurgery from the laboratory to the clinic and operating room.

For information about our clinical trials, conferences, residencies and fellowships, visit the Department of Neurological Surgery's website.


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Featured Article
Acoustic Neuroma
 Providers: Rostomily, Robert C., Sekhar, Laligam N. Last Updated: Friday, February 08, 2008

The acoustic neuroma, or vestibular neuroma, is a common tumor of the skull base. Even so, only about 2-3000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Although much is known about the acoustic neuroma its cause has not been identified. Over the years, many surgeons have developed different approaches to its treatment. More and more, these approaches have been modified with a common goal in mind: tumor control with preservation of facial and hearing function, and minimal side effects. Reaching that goal requires expert surgical teamwork, sophisticated nerve monitoring, skilled neuro-anesthesia, intensive nursing, and rehabilitation therapy. Because tumors are now being detected at earlier and smaller stages of development, thanks to MRI scanning, it is possible to achieve that goal in the majority of cases.

What is an acoustic neuroma?

The acoustic neuroma is a benign growth that arises in the balance portion of the eighth cranial nerve. This nerve carries both hearing (cochlear) and balance (vestibular) senses from the ear to the brain. The eighth cranial nerve runs next to the facial nerve at the base of the skull in a bony canal -- the internal auditory canal, which is approximately one centimeter in length. Acoustic neuromas begin in this internal auditory canal, slowly enlarge to fill the canal, gradually grow toward the brainstem, and may begin to compress it. These tumors are very slow growing, about 2-3 mm per year and cause symptoms as they press on the surrounding brain tissue. In the early stages, patients have no symptoms. In the advanced stages, the tumor may cause paralysis of the face, inability to walk, severe headaches from increased pressure, blindness, and even death.

Acoustic neuromas are non-malignant and do not spread to other parts of the body. In very rare cases, acoustic neuromas occur on both sides. This happens only as part of the uncommon disorder, neurofibromatosis, type II. View Full Article »

 
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