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CONDITIONS
BRAIN
Brain Tumors
There are a wide variety of tumors and masses that can occur in or around the brain. They range from very slow-growing, benign growths that may not need any treatment, to very aggressive, fast-growing tumors that are difficult to treat. A brief description of the more common tumors are included below. Brain conditions other than tumor: Cranial Nerve Conditions
There are several conditions of the cranial nerves (nerves inside the skull) that can be treated with surgery. In most cases, surgery is reserved for patients that have not benefited from medications and are able to tolerate major surgery. In most of these conditions, the nerve is contacted by a blood vessel at its most sensitive site- just as it enters the brainstem. Since the blood vessel pulsates, it is constantly irritating the nerve. Surgery, known as a microvascular decompression, involves separating the nerve and vessel with a small piece of Teflon. SPINE
Cervical Spine
The cervical spine is the uppermost part of the spine (the neck). The levels of the cervical spine are referred to by numbers, from C1 to C7. There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 cervical nerve roots. Between the bones, or vertebrae, there are intervertebral discs. Behind the vertebrae and discs is the spinal canal. The spinal cord travels within the spinal canal, situated just behind the spinal column.
The thoracic spine is the middle part of the back that corresponds to the area between the neck and the low back, associated with the rib cage. It is the longest but most stable segment of the spine.
The lumbar spine is the lowest part of the spine, also known as the low back. It spans from the bottom of the rib cage to the sacrum. Due to its mobility and the degree of stress placed on it, the lumbar spine is a very common site for a variety of conditions.
Glossary of Terms
Top Docs of DFW - Dr. Frank Castillon III M.D. - Videos
BRAIN
Brain Tumors
There are a wide variety of tumors and masses that can occur in or around the brain. They range from very slow-growing, benign growths that may not need any treatment, to very aggressive, fast-growing tumors that are difficult to treat. A brief description of the more common tumors are included below. Brain conditions other than tumor: Cranial Nerve Conditions
There are several conditions of the cranial nerves (nerves inside the skull) that can be treated with surgery. In most cases, surgery is reserved for patients that have not benefited from medications and are able to tolerate major surgery. In most of these conditions, the nerve is contacted by a blood vessel at its most sensitive site- just as it enters the brainstem. Since the blood vessel pulsates, it is constantly irritating the nerve. Surgery, known as a microvascular decompression, involves separating the nerve and vessel with a small piece of Teflon. SPINE
Cervical Spine
The cervical spine is the uppermost part of the spine (the neck). The levels of the cervical spine are referred to by numbers, from C1 to C7. There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 cervical nerve roots. Between the bones, or vertebrae, there are intervertebral discs. Behind the vertebrae and discs is the spinal canal. The spinal cord travels within the spinal canal, situated just behind the spinal column.
- Cervical disc herniation
- Cervical Spondylosis (bone spurs and neuroforaminal stenosis)
- Cervical Stenosis
- Cervical Spine Trauma and Fractures (non-osteoporotic)
The thoracic spine is the middle part of the back that corresponds to the area between the neck and the low back, associated with the rib cage. It is the longest but most stable segment of the spine.
- Thoracic Disc Herniations
- Fractures: Thoracic Osteoporotic Fractures
- Thoracic Spine Fractures (non-osteoporotic)
The lumbar spine is the lowest part of the spine, also known as the low back. It spans from the bottom of the rib cage to the sacrum. Due to its mobility and the degree of stress placed on it, the lumbar spine is a very common site for a variety of conditions.
- Lumbar Disc Herniation
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Fractures: Lumbar Osteoporotic Compression Fractures
- Fractures and trauma (non-osteoporotic)
- Spondylolisthesis
- Stenosis (lumbar stenosis, spinal stenosis)
- BrainSuite Intraoperative MRI
- Gamma Knife
- Kyphoplasty
- Artificial Disc Replacement
- Lumbar Fusion Surgery
- ACDF: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or ACDF
- ALIF: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF
- MLD: Lumbar microdiscectomy, Micro Lumbar Discectomy, or MLD
- PCL: Posterior cervical laminectomy (info says Posterior lumbar decompression)
- PCLF: Posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion
- PLIF: Posterior lumbar (interbody) fusion, or PLIF
- PLL: Posterior lumbar laminectomy
- PLLF: Posterior lumbar laminectomy and fusion
- Laminectomy for spinal tumor removal
Glossary of Terms
Top Docs of DFW - Dr. Frank Castillon III M.D. - Videos
