The program includes:
- Initial presentation in the clinic
- clinical history taking
- review of medical records
- physical examination
- laboratory tests:
- complete blood count
- general urine analysis
- biochemical analysis of blood
- inflammation indicators (CRP, ESR)
- TSH, fT3, fT4
- indicators of blood coagulation
- neurological examination
- CT/MRI scan
- neuropsychological tests (if indicated):
- ENMG (electroneuromyography)
- EEG (electroencephalography)
- SEPs (somatosensory evoked potentials)
- VEPs (visually evoked potentials)
- BAEP tests (brainstem auditory evoked potentials)
- stationary EEG monitoring
- preoperative care
- surgical treatment of epilepsy with deep brain stimulation and installation of
neurostimulator (including the cost of neurostimulator) - 1-day intensive care unit stay
- postoperative MRI control
- symptomatic treatment
- control examinations
- the cost of essential medicines and materials
- nursing services
- full hospital accommodation
- developing of further guidance
How program is carried out
During the first visit, the physician will conduct a clinical examination and neurological examination, and go through the results of the available diagnostic tests. After that, you will undergo the necessary additional examination, such as the laboratory blood and urine tests, MRI or CT scan. Based on the results of an additional examination, the physician will clarify the localization of epileptogenic foci in the brain. After that, the preparation according to the preoperative standard will begin.
The first stage of treatment is the implantation of stimulating electrodes into the brain. The operation is performed under local anesthesia, through a small opening in the skull. You will be awake and communicating with your surgeon, so that he will be able to assess the correctness of the brain electrodes placement.
The second stage of treatment is the implantation of a neurostimulator, which will generate electrical impulses that regulate the work of the brain. Depending on the anatomical peculiarities, the surgeon will place the neurostimulator under the collarbone or in the abdomen and attach the brain electrodes to it. Typically, this operation is performed under general anesthesia.
After the completion of the operation, you will stay in the intensive care unit, under the round-the-clock supervision of physicians and nurses. When the condition becomes stable, you will be transferred to a regular ward.
Your physician will evaluate the results of the postoperative MRI and program the neurostimulator according to your individual needs. You will be able to turn the device on and off yourself. After setting up the neurostimulator, the attending physician will schedule the date of discharge from the hospital and give you detailed recommendations for further follow-up and treatment.
Required documents
- Medical records
- EEG (if available)
- MRI/CT scan (if available)
Service
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About the department
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf offers the diagnostics and comprehensive treatment of neurosurgical pathologies, including tumors of the central and peripheral nervous system. The department is the leading Center of Neurosurgery in Northern Germany and is responsible for the implementation of new algorithms for the treatment of patients with brain tumors. To this end, there is an active participation in the international researches and the development of new surgical methods, for example, operations in the waking state. Close interdisciplinary cooperation also contributes to the achievement of optimal treatment results. The Chief Physician of the department is Prof. Dr. med. Manfred Westphal.
The department has advanced experience in the treatment of injuries, pathologies and cancers of the brain and cranial bones, spinal cord and spinal column, degenerative diseases of the spinal discs and spinal stenosis, as well as diseases of the peripheral nervous system. The Department of Neuroradiology has been cooperating with the Center of Competence for Cerebrovascular Diseases for a long time. It is the only center of this kind in Northern Germany and it treats patients from all over Germany and other countries.
Special attention is paid to pediatric neurosurgery. In cooperation with the Department of Pediatrics, there is provided the treatment of the entire range of neurosurgical diseases in childhood. In particular, the department specializes in brain and skull base tumors, congenital malformations of the skull, hydrocephalus (cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders), cerebrovascular diseases, as well as other neuropediatric pathologies.
In addition, the department uses deep brain stimulation to treat motor disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. In this field, the department is one of the most experienced in Germany. In collaboration with the Evangelical Foundation Alsterdorf, the department offers the very latest surgical treatments for epilepsy.
The therapeutic service spectrum is complemented with the microsurgical and minimally invasive treatments for spinal diseases with a focus on cervical and lumbosacral disc herniation, spinal canal narrowing (stenosis), as well as spinal cord tumors, especially the intradural ones.
The department’s medical services include:
- Surgery to treat chronic pain syndromes
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Impingement syndromes
- Surgery to treat movement disorders
- Parkinson's disease
- Surgery to treat degenerative and traumatic lesions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine
- Cerebral aneurysms
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Vascular spinal cord neoplasms
- Surgery for benign and malignant brain tumors
- Meningiomas
- Brain tumors
- Brain metastases
- Skull base tumors
- Tumors of the ventricular system, pineal gland and pituitary gland
- Surgery to treat tumors located near the vital centers of the brain (perofrmed in wakefulness)
- Adjuvant treatment of advanced brain tumors
- Spinal tumor surgery
- Surgery for brain and spinal cord malformations
- Pediatric hydrocephalus
- Treatment of myelomeningocele and spinal cord compression
- Treatment of brain tumors in children (neurosurgery)
- Peripheral nerve surgery
- Surgical correction of cranial malformations, such as complete cleft lip, jaw and palate
- Surgical and emergency treatment of traumatic brain injuries
- Stereotactic biopsy of brain tumours in unclear diagnostic cases
- Electrical stimulation of sensory and motor centers in pain syndromes and motor disorders (functional neurosurgery)
- Spinal surgery
- Surgical treatment of epilepsy
- Diagnostics and treatment of other neurosurgical pathologies
Curriculum vitae
Current Position
- Head of the Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Education and Professional Background
- 1975 - 1981 Medical School, University of Hamburg, Germany, including a one-year training at the University of Glasgow Medical School, UK (academic year 1978- 1979).
- 26.10.1981 Admission to medical practice.
- 1982 - 1984 Postdoctoral Fellow, UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco (USA) in the Hormone Research Laboratory, Director: Dr. med. C.H. Li.
- 1984 - 1986 Establishment of the Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology within the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Hamburg (Germany) Medical School (from 1980 to 1999, Director: Prof. Hans Dietrich Herrmann).
- Since 1986 Resident in the Neurosurgical Training Program in the above mentioned department.
- April 1992 Certified Neurosurgeon by the the Hamburg Health Authorities.
- July 1993 Lecturer for Neurosurgery (Habilitation), Associate Professor.
- 1995 - 2003 Chairman of the Committee for Neuro-Oncology of the EANS.
- Since 2003 Member of the Committee for Neuro-Oncology of the EANS.
- February 1999 Full Professor.
- April 1999 Acting Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
- June 2002 Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
- 2003 - 2007 Elected as a Secretary of the EANS.
- Since 2003 Board Member of the European Brain Council (Brussels).
- November 2003 Member of the Neuroscience Study Section of the DFG.
- Since October 2005 Member of the Scientific Council of the National Health Advisory Committee of the German Ministry of Research and Technology.
- February 2008 Re-election to the DFG Neuroscience Study Section.
- September 2008 Secretary General of the European Brain Council (Brussels).
Membership in Professional Societies
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
- American Endocrine Society.
- 2005 Programme Committee, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).
- German Society for Endocrinology (DGE).
- German Society for Neurosurgery (DGNC).
- German Academy for Neurosurgery (DANC).
- German Cancer Society (DKG).
- 2006 Programme Committee, European Association for Neuro-Oncology (EANO).
- European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS).
- European Brain Council (EBC).
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).
- Hamburg Cancer Society.
- International Society for Neuropathology.
- Neuroscience Society.
- Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO).
- World Federation of Neuro-Oncological Societies (WFNO).
- World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS).
Photo of the doctor: (c) Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
About hospital
According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf is one of the top ten hospitals in Germany!
Since its foundation in 1889, the hospital has taken a leading position in the European medical arena, which it still holds today. A highly competent medical team of more than 15,300 employees takes care of the health of patients. Approximately 2,900 of them are physicians and researchers, and more than 3,400 work as nurses and therapists. The hospital has 1,738 beds for inpatient treatment, and many diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided on an outpatient basis. A solid foundation for successful clinical practice in the medical complex is formed by a combination of research achievements with state-of-the-art equipment and the highest professionalism of doctors. In addition, the hospital has a modern and extremely comfortable infrastructure. The most important value for every employee of the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf is the health and well-being of every patient.
The medical facility was the first university hospital in Europe to implement an electronic system for storing patient medical reports. As a result, all diagnostic and treatment protocols are stored electronically. In 2011, the hospital was certified as the first fully digital hospital in Europe.
The hospital represents all areas of modern medicine. The doctors of the healthcare facility have a wealth of theoretical knowledge and vast clinical experience, which allows them to easily cope with the treatment of both common and extremely rare, complex clinical cases. About 550,000 patients are treated here each year, over 450,000 of whom receive outpatient medical care.
An important part of the work of the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf is research activities aimed at developing innovative diagnostic and treatment methods. The main areas of research of the hospital include neurobiology, oncology, cardiovascular research, and research on infectious and inflammatory diseases. Special attention is also given to research in molecular imaging and skeletal biology.
The hospital is distinguished by its first-class level of medical care, which is confirmed by numerous quality certificates of European and international standards: DIN EN IS0 9001 certificate, certificates of the German Cancer Society (DKG) in the treatment of breast cancer, colon cancer, gynecological cancer, prostate cancer, and other oncological diseases, certificate of the German Cardiac Society (DGK) in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, certificate of the German Spine Society (DWG), and others.
Photo: (с) depositphotos
Accommodation in hospital
Patients rooms
The patients of the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf live in comfortable single and double rooms designed in bright colors. Each room is equipped with an ensuite bathroom with a toilet and a shower. The standard room includes an automatically adjustable bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe, a table and chairs for receiving visitors, a telephone, a radio and a TV. Also, there is Wi-Fi access.
Meals and Menus
The patient and his accompanying person have a daily choice of three menus. If for any reason you do not eat all the food, you will be offered an individual menu. Please inform the medical staff about your dietary preferences prior to the treatment.
Further details
Standard rooms include:
Religion
Religious services are available upon request.
Accompanying person
During the inpatient program, an accompanying person may stay with you in a patient room or hotel of your choice.
Hospital accommodation
During the outpatient program, you may stay in a hotel at the hospital.
Hotel
During the outpatient program, you may stay in a hotel of your choice. Managers will help you choose the most suitable options.
The hospital offers a full range of laboratory tests (general, hormonal, tests for infections, antibodies, tumor markers, etc.), genetic tests, various modifications of ultrasound scans, CT scans, MRI and PET / CT, angiography, myelography, biopsy and other examinations. Treatment with medications, endoscopic and robotic operations, stereotaxic interventions is carried out here, modern types of radiation therapy are also used. The hospital offers patients all the necessary therapeutic techniques.
- Coiling and clipping of aneurysms of different localizations
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting in patients with portal hypertension
- Minimally invasive surgeries (da Vinci)
- Removal and reconstruction of mammary glands
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)
These are arteriovenous malformations and angiomas, vascular aneurysms, pathologies of the mammary glands, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, malignant tumors of various localizations (area of special attention is treatment of intestinal cancer), pathologies of liver and pancreas, cataracts and rare ophthalmic pathologies (aphakia, aniridia ), infertility and other diseases.
- Interventional neuroradiology
- Mammology
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgery
Over 2,900 highly qualified physicians and researchers work at the hospital.