If you need surgery for a sudden or serious neurological condition, turn to the specialists at Valley. Our brain surgeons offer advanced procedures comparable to those offered at the largest medical institutions.
Brain surgery may offer the best chance of long-term relief or recovery if you have:
- A chronic condition such as trigeminal neuralgia, and first-line treatments don’t help (or stop working)
- A cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) brain tumor that must be removed
- Weak or narrow blood vessels that are likely to burst (causing bleeding in your brain) or become blocked (depriving your brain of oxygen)
- A medical emergency such as a brain aneurysm or hemorrhagic stroke
Florence's Story
After being initially treated four years prior for her trigeminal neuralgia with medication, Port Jarvis native Florence Santini made an appointment with Anthony D’Ambrosio, MD, in 2019 to treat her continued excruciating pain.
The Valley Approach to Brain Surgery
It’s natural to feel nervous about having brain surgery. But today’s surgical tools and techniques are safer and more effective than ever before — and you’ll find them here at Valley.
Because we offer a wide variety of procedures you might need, we can customize your treatment plan so it reflects your personal preferences and goals. Instead of choosing a technique based solely on your diagnosis, we weigh factors such as your age, occupation, family responsibilities and hobbies.
This helps us identify which surgical treatment will offer the most benefit with the fewest long-term side effects. Our goal is to help you choose a treatment that works, without causing memory loss, vision problems, trouble speaking or swallowing, or other challenges.
At Valley, we also offer guidance and support at every turn. Our surgeons, nurses and other staff will take the time to answer your questions before surgery, so you feel confident and comfortable. And after surgery, we’ll connect you with programs and services designed to enhance your recovery.
Brain Surgery Techniques at Valley
No matter how rare or complicated your condition, you’ll find the treatments you need at Valley. We offer the full range of brain surgery procedures available, including minimally invasive options that may help you go home sooner and recover more quickly.
Our areas of expertise include:
- Endoscopic endonasal surgery: This advanced technique allows your surgeon to remove a pituitary tumor (or another type of skull base tumor) through your nose.
- Gamma Knife radiosurgery: This noninvasive treatment sends targeted beams of radiation into your brain. It
can help shrink primary and metastatic brain tumors, stop nerves from sending pain signals and prevent abnormal blood vessels from leaking blood into your brain. With Gamma Knife, we do not need to use the typical large metal device, called a stereotactic frame, to guide instrument placement and stabilize your head during surgery. - Microvascular decompression: Your surgeon moves any blood vessels putting pressure on the nerves that cause facial pain.
- Endovascular neurosurgery: Your surgeon guides a flexible, hollow tube (catheter) through your blood vessels and into your brain. Once the catheter is in place, your surgeon can use it to dissolve a blood clot, prop open a narrowed artery or seal a weak blood vessel (to prevent it from bursting).
- Open brain surgery: Your surgeon temporarily removes a small piece of skull (craniotomy) in order to gain access to your brain. In some cases, open brain surgery is the best way to remove a brain tumor, remove abnormal brain tissue or repair a ruptured blood vessel.
Conditions Treated
- Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
- Aneurysm
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
- Astrocytoma
- Brain Metastases (Metastatic Brain Cancer)
- Brain Tumor (Benign and Malignant)
- Carotid Artery Stenosis
- Cavernous Malformation
- Cerebral Hemorrhage
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Chiari Malformation
- Epilepsy
- Glioblastoma
- Glioma
- Hemifacial Spasm
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Hydrocephalus
- Ischemic Stroke
- Meningioma
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Pituitary Tumors
- Skull Base Tumors
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
Why Choose Valley for Brain Surgery?
- Awake brain surgery: To help preserve brain function in patients with certain brain tumors or epilepsy, we can safely conduct surgery while you’re awake and alert. Your surgeon will ask you questions during surgery and monitor your responses and brain activity. This helps ensure they’re not harming any part of the brain responsible for vision, movement or speech.
- Sophisticated brain mapping and surgical planning: Our brain surgeons use computer-generated images of the brain, taken before surgery, to create a 3D brain map. This helps them pinpoint the precise area of the brain they need to reach, and find the best way to get there. For example, we can determine where (and how deep) to place surgical instruments without harming healthy brain tissue.
- Fluorescein-guided brain tumor surgery: Thanks to this special imaging technique, we can light up the part of your brain needing treatment. We’ll give you a harmless liquid solution (contrast agent) that causes cancerous tumors to glow. This makes it easier for your surgeon to see the size, shape and location of the tumor, along with any nearby critical structures they should avoid.
- High-tech, high-quality surgical care. We’re home to a state-of-the-art “hybrid” operating room equipped for both traditional brain surgery and endovascular neurosurgery. It allows us to use computer guidance systems, 3D imaging and video integration during every procedure. This helps ensure your surgery is as safe and successful as possible.
- Neuroscience intensive care unit (ICU): In our dedicated neuroscience ICU, we care for patients who have a serious neurological illness or are recovering from brain surgery. This unit is comprised of private rooms and is staffed by doctors, nurses and other providers with advanced training in critical care and neurological disorders.
