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Bush Veterinary Neurology Service (BVNS)

A neurosurgeon picking out tools

Neurosurgery

• Unlike other forms of veterinary surgery where surgery alone may successfully resolve orthopedic, skeletal or soft-tissue injuries; neurosurgery often requires complicated surgical procedures, expert understanding of the complex systems that underlie neurologic conditions and experience with how to best provide care to a recovering patient. Our training, dedication and expertise allow us to perform these life-saving and complex neurosurgeries almost every day.

Neurosurgery

Spinal Cord Surgery

Intervertebral Disc Surgery

During surgery the disc material causing the compression is removed allowing the spinal cord to heal and better transmit signals. There is a 1-3 day hospital stay required following surgery. Once the patient is eating and comfortable, the exercise restrictions and medications can be continued at home. A follow up visit is scheduled about two weeks after surgery for suture removal and adjustment of medications and exercise plan. The final check-up is scheduled for 6 weeks following surgery when most patients can slowly return to nearly normal activity.

Surgical Aspirator – CUSA (Cavitronic Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator)

CUSA is the acronym for cavitronic ultrasonic surgical aspirator. This device is used in tumor surgery in a select number of hospitals around the world, and even fewer veterinary hospitals.The CUSA uses ultrasonic frequencies to emulsify the target tissues. The ultrasound waves cause the cells to dissociate from one another while the device irrigates the area with sterile saline. The same handpiece then aspirates the fluid back out of the surgical site. Since this device can be fine-tuned, it allows the surgeon to remove tumors with minimal effect on the adjacent tissues. It can even ‘skeletonize’ the blood vessels which significantly decreases intraoperative bleeding.

Stabilizations (fracture, atlantoaxial subluxation)

NICO Myriad® & NICO Myriad NOVUS®

Safe, User-Controlled, Automated Removal of Brain and Spinal Abnormalities:

Multifunctional instrument that enables MIS

Non-ablative, mechanical device generates no thermal or ultrasonic energy, avoiding heat-related damage to critical structures

Enhanced Surgical Efficiency

Side mouth aperture offers greater visualization especially when placed along critical structures.

The cutting mechanism enables precise control of resection.

Greater Surgeon Control

  • Foot pedal allows maximum control for the surgeon by controlling the level of aspiration and by enabling two modes: Suction only & suction with cutter

NICO Myriad NOVUS provides Xenon light delivery when and where it’s needed:

  • Removes the need for a microscope or external lighting

  • Enables flexibility to choose various surgical optics.

Wobbler Syndrome surgery (distraction/ fusion, dorsal laminectomy, ventral slot)

Diskospondylitis

Brain Surgery

Brain Tumor Removal

The diagnosis of a brain tumor is made by imaging a mass next to or within the axis of the brain and ruling-out the possibility that the mass is from infection. Often MRI characteristics alone are thought to be sufficient to diagnose a brain tumor. Ruling out infection is often done by performing infectious tests on the blood or/and spinal fluid and by performing an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).Treatment to reduce or eliminate the brain tumor can include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Treatment to control the signs of a tumor can include steroid therapy, pain medication, and seizure medication.

Terason uSmart® 3200T NexGen Ultrasound System

With specialty designed surgical ultrasound transducers, this operative tool provides our team with improved accuracy of surgical outcomes in brain and spine surgical procedures. The key benefits include:

Real time imaging to localize the tumor or pathology and other anatomy below the operative surface before starting the resection.

The use of Color Doppler can localize any potential blood vessels before beginning resection thus avoiding significant bleeding.

Intraoperative Ultrasound allows for localization of the tumor, improves the resection goals, and ensures a greater margin of accuracy by using ultrasound to monitor the margins during resection.

Real Time Intraoperative Ultrasound provides imaging assurance that margins goals were achieved.

Foramen Magnum Decompression

Ventricular Shunt Placement

Craniotomy for Tumor Removal or Biopsy

Nerve and Muscle Biopsy

Biopsy is a simple procedure that allows nerves and muscles to be evaluated microscopically.