Well - Winter 2011 - (Page 6)

Much More Than Brain Surgery Unc health care has invested in the state-of-theart technology and specialists to make its neuroscience offerings the best in the region. By kiki thoMPSon Matthew g. ewend, Md, department chair of Neurosurgery at UNC Health Care iSorderS of THe CeNTraL nervous system take many forms. Concussions, tumors, strokes and ruptured aneurysms—all of these conditions require specialty care from firstrate clinicians and the latest, cutting-edge technology. UNC Health Care has both. “Our commitment to treating the disorders of the brain and spinal cord is firm and ongoing,” says Matthew G. Ewend, MD, department chair of Neurosurgery at UNC Health Care. “Neurosurgery was recently elevated to a department in the School of Medicine and the hospital, reflecting UNC’s belief in the importance of researching and treating neurological conditions. Partnered with Neurology and Neuroscience, we expect to become a leader in the development and advancement of world-class care for brain conditions.” Emergency Care Focusing on neurosurgical disease begins with emergency care. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, approximately 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injuries occur each year in the United States. UNC has opened a dedicated Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) to provide the best treatment for traumatic brain injuries, along with other emergent brain conditions such as strokes and hemorrhages. The NSICU is a 16-bed facility staffed with two neurointensivists—physicians trained in neurocritical care—and a team of specialized advance practice nurses who are available to care for these critically ill patients around the clock. In caring for patients with neurologic disease, UNC Neuroscience strives to identify the leastinvasive method to provide symptom relief and treat the underlying problem. When medical therapy is not an option, UNC Health Care boasts a host of endoscopic techniques that are considered before more invasive open surgery. These minimally invasive procedures, including brain tumor removal through transnasal (the nostrils) approaches and CyberKnife radiosurgery, require advanced technology and welltrained physician teams. UNC Health Care has built teams of neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons and 6 Winter 2011 Well

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Well - Winter 2011

Well - Winter 2011
Contents
UNC Health Care News
Community
You Don’t Have to Live with Incontinence
Much More Than Brain Surgery
Bouncing Back
My Story
Distinguished Nursing Care
Nutrition
Calendar

Well - Winter 2011