What’s an Aneurysm?

An aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of a blood vessel. The weakness in the wall of a vessel leads to ballooning or bulging, which can eventually lead to a rupture of the wall. “When it ruptures,” Dr. Shekhtman says, “the blood comes out of the artery and damages whatever brain structures are near.” An aneurysm can lead to a stroke, but a stroke won’t lead to an aneurysm.

What’s a Stroke?

Strokes are medical emergencies that happen when blood flow is impeded. With a thrombotic stroke, a blood clot forms inside an artery, like a clogged pipe, and blocks the blood from getting to a portion of the brain. Another type of stroke, an ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that spasms and fully or partially closes down. An aneurysm can cause an ischemic stroke, because the blood coming out of the burst blood vessel can irritate the arteries, causing them to spasm.

Risks Factors for Both

Strokes and brain aneurysms have some risk factors in common, such as:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Smoking
• Family history
• Structural abnormalities, such as damaged heart valves (stroke) or blood vessels that are formed irregularly (aneurysm)

Symptoms to Look for

When you are having a stroke, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Your face drooping on one side
• Weakness in the arm or leg on one side
• Trouble speaking
• Trouble walking

But with an aneurysm, “most times a person is asymptomatic until the vessel bursts and they have the worst headache of their life,” Dr. Shekhtman says.

Not only can you have a brain aneurysm and not know it, but it may never cause any problems for you. The majority of brain aneurysms never rupture, cause any symptoms or even impact your health. Depending on a variety of factors, no treatment may be needed for an unruptured aneurysm. A watch-and-wait strategy is often all that’s needed.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Yevgenia Shekhtman, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Shekhtman or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn about the region’s most complete lineup of neuroscience services
• What to know about rehabilitation after a brain injury
• What causes a brain hemorrhage?

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post What’s the Difference Between a Stroke and a Brain Aneurysm? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

So what should you be looking out for? Shabbar Danish, M.D. FAANS, Chair of Neurosurgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, offers seven of the more common signs of a brain tumor:

1. Headaches. Everyone has a headache on occasion. Some people get them more often than others. But a headache that may signal something’s amiss is one that:

• Won’t go away with pain medication
• Makes you throw up
• Wakes you up from sleep
• Gets worse in the morning and lessens during the day

Pay particular attention to a headache if you have other neurological symptoms, such as weakness or loss of coordination.

2. Seizures. A tumor can irritate parts of the brain, leading to a seizure. Seizures are often the first signal of a brain tumor. In fact, about three out of every 10 people with a brain tumor were diagnosed after having a seizure. During a seizure you may experience vision changes like seeing floating spots or shapes, uncontrollable jerking, a brief lapse in memory or confusion, and/or a tingling in the arm or leg.

3. Changes in motor function. This could include trouble speaking, understanding, hearing, seeing, swallowing or remembering. It could also involve twitching, muscle-jerking, balance, stiffness or coordination issues.

4. Mood changes. Brain tumors often cause personality changes, sudden mood swings and lapses in concentration.

5. Weakness or numbness in the face, arms or legs. The brain plays an important role in feeling sensations throughout the body. So brain tumors can cause numbness and tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs and feet.

6. Ringing in the ears. Ringing in the ears and dizziness can occur with some brain tumors, although these are usually indirect symptoms.

7. Loss of smell. Loss of smell could be linked to a brain tumor.

When to Seek Care

If you think you might have a brain tumor, keep a diary of what’s going on. Be sure to include your symptoms, how often they happen and when. “It’s very likely that you don’t have a brain tumor, but any worrisome neurological symptoms should always be checked out,” says Dr. Danish.

Regardless of the rarity of brain tumors, it is important to recognize the symptoms and see a doctor if you think anything’s off. “Signs of a tumor vary, depending on the tumor’s location and size, and the early symptoms can be obscure,” Dr. Danish says. “But the quicker we find a tumor and start treatment, the better your outcome will be, so we’d always rather you come in if you think you may have a tumor, rather than brush it off.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Shabbar Danish, M.D., FAANS To make an appointment with Dr. Danish or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit a website.
• Learn about our complete lineup of neuroscience services
• What is neuro fatigue?
• When should I take my child to the doctor for a headache?

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post 7 Warning Signs of a Brain Tumor appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Lane Johnson, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps – some of the worlds’ greatest athletes have bravely come forward to express the need to prioritize their mental health.

Kristine Keane, Psy.D., clinical and sports neuropsychologist, takes a dive into why athletes’ mental health is continually overlooked and what we can do to help.

1. Mixed messaging. “We care, but are you better yet?”
   

   “There’s a mixed message, athletes are told that their mental health matters, but it’s not always actualizing,” Dr. Keane notes.

   “For athletes with concussions, their mental health can play a large role in their recovery, and unfortunately, some athletes are stilled questioned by their coaches, ‘When is this going to be over?’”

2. Physical well-being prioritized over mental well-being.
   

   “As soon as Simone Biles announced her withdrawal, she was met with criticism, and that’s what athletes fear most, that they’ll be seen as weak or a quitter by their coaches or teammates. It’s as if their mental health isn’t as important as their physical health,” Dr. Keane adds.

   “They might not feel they have a say over their own body, or that it even matters. Simone stated that she was surprised when people actually came out in support of her.”

   the outpouring love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before.

   — Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) July 29, 2021

3. Lack of balance for training and rest.
   

   “Youth sports have evolved with more training, higher levels of competition and multiple environments to compete in; it can be really difficult to achieve a balance of work and rest,” says Dr. Keane. “Many elite athletes are perfectionists, and when it comes to their mental well-being, they may put it to the back burner to focus on their physical well-being instead.”

   Athletes are commonly praised for their drive, persistence and determination, yet seldom praised for taking a well-needed rest or mental health day.

4. Depression can be misdiagnosed as overtraining symptoms.
   

   Overtraining symptoms overlap with depression symptoms, including:

• • Fatigue or low energy
  • Lower motivation
  • Mood changes
  • Mental fog
  • Disrupted sleep schedule
  • Difficulty concentrating

“Athletes are particularly vulnerable to being misdiagnosed,” reflects Dr. Keane. “Some practitioners will look at symptoms solely from a physical perspective, instead of a biopsychosocial model, where we acknowledge multiple components – their biological, social and psychological well-being.”

Without looking at the full picture of an athlete’s health, a mental health condition can be misdiagnosed as a physical issue.

Tips for Parents of Young Athletes

• Take note of any changes in your child’s mental health.

“For parents and coaches, acknowledge that these kids are under a lot of pressure and pay attention to cues and symptoms that could point to mental health changes,” shares Dr. Keane.

“Changes in personality are typically one of the first signs you may observe, along with moodiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbances, lethargic behavior or withdrawing from friends or teammates. Sometimes symptoms won’t be as obvious, but it’s just about being aware and in tune with them.”

• Have open conversations about mental health needs.

Have open conversations with your kids and athletes, acknowledge what mental health issues are and that they are a real part of an athlete’s journey, Dr. Keane notes.

Studies show that mental health issues are just as common in athletes as the general population.

Lane Johnson, offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, took an extended absence after expressing he has been battling depression and anxiety.

“Lane came forward saying he’s kept his struggles with mental health bottled up – an incredibly common occurrence for athletes. They may say they don’t want to be perceived as a weak or lesser competitor,” Dr. Keane adds.

“It’s so important to lay a foundation of trust with our kids and athletes while they’re young – let them know it’s okay and safe to share these feelings.”

pic.twitter.com/dshyS6xO2W

— Lane Johnson (@LaneJohnson65) October 18, 2021

• Hold mental health and physical health to the same standard.

“Just as you wouldn’t send your kid onto the field with an unhealed fracture, you can’t ignore mental health issues, as it can cause other injuries,” adds Keane. “Mental health needs to be prioritized just as much as physical health. You can’t underscore the value in self-care, it’s a vital life skill that can be learned early on,” concludes Keane.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Kristine Keane, Psy.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Keane, or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• What to Do if Your Child has a Head Injury

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post 4 Reasons Athletes’ Mental Health Gets Overlooked appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

How to Recognize Signs of Concussion

Concussion and head injuries have a number of symptoms, says Catherine Mazzola, M.D., pediatric neurosurgeon at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. These include:

• Headache
• Neck pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Blurry vision
• Trouble focusing or completing tasks
• Pain behind the eyes, especially while watching TV or looking at a screen
• Behavioral changes
• Excessive sleepiness
• Nausea or vomiting

If your child has a severe headache or is experiencing nausea or vomiting after a head injury, Dr. Mazzola recommends taking them to an emergency room or calling 911. However, if your child is stable after a head injury, monitor them for the next few days. If you recognize any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk to your pediatrician to determine if treatment is needed. Learn more about what to do if you suspect a concussion.

Wear Helmet to Help Prevent Head Injury 

The best option to help prevent head injury is to have your child wear a helmet.

“In any sport where you’re moving fast, wearing a helmet is a good idea,” says Dr. Mazzola. “When I was a child and we went skiing, for example, we never wore helmets. Now, everyone wears helmets. It’s time to start wearing helmets for any sport where you move fast—ice skating, sledding, skiing and snowboarding, bicycle riding, roller skating.”

Dr. Mazzola explains why helmet-wearing is the top way to prevent concussions and other head injuries during youth sports. “A well-fitting helmet that straps on and is held snugly in place will prevent a more serious head injury in many instances,” she says. “Nothing is 100 percent, but the padding in the helmet and the hard outer shell decrease the amount of force sustained by the brain in the event of an injury.”

Consider Baseline Testing

Beyond ensuring your child is prepared with a helmet for the sport they are participating in, Dr. Mazzola also recommends that parents be aware of ImPACT®, which stands for immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing. ImPACT testing can be done to establish a baseline for future comparisons or to help determine if a child has a concussion.

“I am a big supporter of ImPACT testing for all middle school and high school students at least every other year,” says Dr. Mazzola. “After taking the baseline test, if a child has a head injury or concussion, the test is repeated. Then we can follow the child’s cognitive improvement after a brain injury and develop the treatment plan. However, even if your child doesn’t have a baseline, they can still take the ImPACT test and compare the results to normative data for the child’s age.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Catherine Mazzola, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Mazzola or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about pediatric neurosurgery services at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Ways to test if you have a concussion
• How much screen time should your child be exposed to?

The material provided through Health Hub is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Nervous About Your Kids and Contact Sports? Follow These Tips appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

According to Christine Greiss, D.O., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and director of the Concussion Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, physicians follow a progression of steps to ensure that athletes are ready to return to post-concussion play.

“We carefully assess each athlete’s physical, cognitive and mental readiness before returning them to play,” says Dr. Greiss.

How to Safely Resume Normal Activities and Exercise

Dr. Greiss says that athletes must complete a series of “steps” before returning to competition in their sport. The concussion rehabilitation team at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute follows HEADS UP concussion recovery guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HEADS UP is a national initiative to raise awareness about brain injuries, including how to recognize, respond to, recover from and reduce the risk of concussion.

A patient’s recovery is typically coordinated by a team that includes:

• A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
• A physical therapist
• An occupational therapist
• A speech-language therapist
• A neuropsychologist
• Athletic trainers and coaches
• The patient’s family

Steps in the recovery process typically include:

• Rest. After 1-3 days of rest, the athlete can slowly resume normal activities.
• Monitoring symptoms during routine activities. If symptoms do not worsen with everyday activities, such as school, work, walking or driving, patients move on to a graduated exercise protocol.
• Resuming moderate activity. Starting with light aerobic exercise, athletes progress to moderate activity that involves more body or head movement.
• Resuming heavy activity. Eventually, athletes progress to heavy activity, such as running, weightlifting and non-contact drills.

Throughout the graduated exercise protocol, patients and their care team watch for a return of symptoms and adjust the recovery plan accordingly.

“If an athlete notices that they experience symptoms after their heart rate rises beyond a certain level or they run for a certain period, we will ask them to back off slightly and exercise at a sub-maximum threshold,” shares Dr. Greiss. “Eventually, an athlete can move on to full-contact practices followed by competition as symptoms subside.”

Assessing Cognitive and Mental Recovery

A concussion can cause a range of cognitive symptoms, including problems with memory, attention, concentration and processing. Dr. Greiss says that a neuropsychological evaluation is the gold standard to assess cognitive recovery.

“Before returning to play, we want to make sure our patients are at baseline,” comments Dr. Greiss. “They should have the same grades or work performance, and be able to engage in the same amount of social activity, reading, and studying as they did before their injury.”

Dr. Greiss says that patients also need to demonstrate improvement in mental symptoms, including mood or coping disorders and sleep disturbances. Other symptoms, such as difficulty with social interaction or headaches caused by exertion, can also lead to symptoms of depression or anxiety.

“The brain is the maestro of the body, and when it is injured, it goes into alert,” says Dr. Greiss. “This can induce an anxious state, so we follow up with patients every two weeks to make sure these symptoms are improving.”

Patience Pays Off

Recovering from a concussion isn’t always a quick process, and it can be difficult for athletes to be patient when they want to get back in the game. However, Dr. Greiss says that concussion recovery is one situation where patience pays off.

Returning to sport too early can increase the risk of experiencing a condition called “second impact syndrome,” which occurs when someone sustains a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier concussion have gone away. Second impact syndrome can cause rapid, severe brain swelling that can lead to paralysis and death.

“Even if a patient wouldn’t sustain another concussion, returning to play too early could prolong their recovery,” shares Dr. Greiss.

When the time comes for the patient to return to the sport they love, Dr. Griess says that doing a few things could help prevent future concussions.

“Strengthening and stretching the neck muscles can help the body absorb blows better,” continues Dr. Greiss. “Nutrition and supplementation, protein intake, and getting your body in optimal shape can all help to create a physical and molecular barrier that reduces concussion risk.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Christine Greiss, D.O. To make an appointment with Dr. Greiss or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Recognize the symptoms of a concussion: Unsure It’s a Concussion? Here Are 5 Signs You Should Seek Care for Your Child

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post When Is It Safe to Return to Sports After a Concussion? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

You may have heard of ALS due to the Ice Bucket Challenge, or even as its previously common name, Lou Gehrig’s disease. Here are answers to some of the most common questions asked about ALS.

Can You Prevent ALS?

No. “Unfortunately there is no way to prevent ALS,” says Mary Sedarous, M.D., neuromuscular medicine specialist and director of the ALS Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and assistant professor, Department of Neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “For many people with ALS, there is not even a clear identifying cause of the disease.” Researchers have studied numerous potential causes, such as diet, lifestyle and environment, among others. However, to this date, no clear reason has been identified.

For other patients with ALS, the cause is genetic. For about 5 to 10 percent of people with ALS, there is a clear genetic line to another family member with ALS. This is called familial ALS.

“Genetic testing can be done for ALS,” says Dr. Sedarous. “I recommend discussing your options with a genetic counselor before undergoing the testing process.”

Who Is at Risk of ALS?

“Because there is no clear identifying cause for many cases of ALS, it is difficult to pinpoint risk factors,” says neurologist Florian Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the ALS Center and professor and founding Chair, Department of Neurology, Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Dr. Thomas explains that the clearest risk factor is having a family history of ALS.

That being said, Dr. Thomas points to some other factors to consider:

• ALS is more common in older people, and your risk of getting ALS increases as you age. It is most common between ages 40 and 70.
• ALS is 20 percent more common in men than women.

Will ALS Ever Be Cured?

It is hard to say. Currently there is no cure for ALS, but that is not due to lack of effort from doctors and researchers.

“Research is ongoing, and treatments and medications that help slow the effects of ALS are continually being discovered,” says Dr. Thomas. “Today, ALS treatment is an interprofessional undertaking that includes respiratory support, medication, physical therapy, speech therapy, assistive devices and other forms of treatment and support. And at Hackensack, we are pursuing a small, phase 1 study that seeks to show that re-educating the bone marrow to produce less neuro-inflammation may be helpful in ALS.”

 Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our sources: Florian Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., and Mary Sedarous, M.D. To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about our interprofessional care of ALS patients
• Learn more about ALS Centers at Hackensack Meridian Health

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post The Facts on ALS appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

“Mental fatigue, also known as neuro fatigue, is a common phenomenon in patients who have a neurological illness and is very different from physical fatigue. Most people have no idea it exists unless they’ve experienced it personally or know someone who has gone through the same thing,” says Krupa Shah Pandey, M.D., director of the MS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center and assistant professor of neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

What Causes Neuro Fatigue?

The most important step in recognizing mental fatigue is to rule out secondary causes: depression, extreme stress, medications, other medical illnesses and, most importantly, poor sleep. “Our brain uses many different pathways to coordinate and carry out our day-to-day activities,” Dr. Pandey says. “If we have a neurological disorder that affects the function of our brain, the circuits that keep us awake are affected, which can overtax an already challenged system.”

Scientists are still investigating the different causes of what makes someone at higher risk for mental fatigue after a neurological condition than others. What is well known is mental fatigue can be overwhelming, interfere with personal, social and work life, and even stop those who have it in their tracks.

Who Experiences Neuro Fatigue?

Mental fatigue goes beyond the ordinary fatigue we all deal with at some point. It strikes those with neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke and infections that have impacted the neurological system. “Most neurological conditions have very high incidences of mental fatigue. In MS, it can occur in up to 80 percent of patients and even be the presenting feature,” Dr. Pandey says.

Treatment and Prevention

Easing mental fatigue can be approached from two angles: treating the underlying disease so it doesn’t get worse and treating the symptom of fatigue itself. Removing any secondary causes that can contribute to fatigue is also important. Your doctor will know what procedures and tests to order to evaluate you for depression, thyroid disease and sleep disorders.

Fatigue-preventing measures can include:

• Energy management strategies (being aware of how much physical and mental energy it takes to go about your day and making adjustments where possible to conserve energy)
• Ranking the importance of planned activities and carrying out more pressing ones first
• Alternating between “heavy” and “light” tasks
• Using cooling devices and scheduling activities during cooler parts of the day
• Breaking tasks into stages
• Pacing yourself
• Exercise
• Getting a good night’s rest
• Eating a well-balanced diet that avoids processed foods
• Promoting an environment that reduces stress via mindfulness training

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Krupa Shah Pandey, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Pandey or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn about our complete lineup of neuroscience services
• How to beat brain fog

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post What Is Neuro Fatigue? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

What Is Brain Power? 

Research studies on cognitive exercises use various objective tools such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to assess whether brain exercise improves new learning or increases task-performing abilities—AKA, brain power.

Brain exercises can boost your memory, concentration and focus to make daily tasks easier and quicker to do.

What Tasks Train the Brain?

What exercises can help build brain power? “Anything that makes you think,” says Manisha Parulekar, M.D., division chief for geriatrics and co-director for the Center of Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center. Any task that makes your brain work compared to tasks you do automatically can aid the training process.

That can include:

• Learning a new piece of music
• Trying a new painting technique
• Learning a new card game
• Shopping at an unfamiliar grocery store

Even web-based games marketed to train your brain can help. “The goal is to keep using your brain,” says Dr. Parulekar. It doesn’t matter how that goal is accomplished. There are numerous brain-game websites, puzzle and language apps, as well as special devices that can be pre-loaded with brain games.

Frequency Matters

While how you train your brain may not matter much, frequency does. It usually takes three to six months of daily brain training to see results. Like with other muscles, brain training needs to be maintained. Because many of our daily activities are automatic, we need to make a daily effort.

“This needs to be a lifestyle change; it needs to be an ongoing intervention,” says Dr. Parulekar. “You could make this part of your exercise routine or even join or start a group.”

Boosting Brain Power is Multi-Faceted

Brain exercise is just one facet of boosting brain power. Others include:

• Staying physically active
• Avoiding alcohol and smoking
• Controlling chronic illnesses such as diabetes
• Managing stress
• Regulating sleep
• Being cautious of prolonged medication use, such as sleeping aids or anxiety medications

“It is a multi-pronged approach, and all of these are equally important,” says Dr. Parulekar. “It’s best to start this earlier on, but it’s never too late to incorporate this into our day-to-day life.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Manisha Parulekar, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Parulekar or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about the Center of Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center
• How to boost your brain health
• Is dementia connected to heart health?

The material provided through Health Hub is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Do Brain-Training Games Really Boost Brain Power? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

When to Provide Care at Home

For minor head injuries, you might notice:

• Your child was temporarily agitated or confused right away but is now alert
• Your child might have vomited, but just once
• Your child might have minor bruises or cuts on their head
• Your child is acting, speaking and moving normally

“In these cases, continue observing your child at home, but if you’re worried about him or her, you should always call your doctor to get a second opinion,” says pediatric physiatrist Nicole Marcantuono, M.D.

When to Seek Care Immediately

“If your child has hit their head and experiences any severe symptoms of a head injury, you should seek medical care right away. That might include calling 911 for an ambulance,” says pediatric neurosurgeon Catherine Mazzola, M.D.

Severe symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Drowsiness
• Dazed state
• Confusion, memory loss or loss of orientation
• Bleeding that is difficult to stop
• Vomiting more than once
• Seizure or convulsion
• Visual disturbance
• Weakness in arms or legs
• Slurred speech

“A child can develop symptoms over several days following an injury to their head,” says Dr. Marcantuono. “So it’s important to continue watching for new ones. But the good news is most children recover well after mild injuries. If your child has any symptoms following an injury to his or her head, evaluation by a medical provider is necessary.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our sources: Nicole Marcantuono, M.D. and Catherine Mazzola, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Marcantuono, Dr. Mazzola or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about our pediatric care for concussion and head trauma
• Getting back on track after a sports injury
• How concussion diagnosis and recovery works

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post What to Do if Your Child Has a Head Injury appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

It’s much easier to see where you’re going when your path is well lit, and the same can be said for removing brain tumors.

Neurosurgeons are using a new approach where brain tumors glow in the dark, called fluorescent guided surgery. This approach helps surgeons remove malignant brain tumors more aggressively by clearly identifying brain tumor versus healthy tissue.

Neurosurgeon and brain tumor experts William Maggio, M.D. and Aasim Kazmi, M.D. at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, shared how the procedure works and how it’s changed the game for the removal of dangerous brain tumors.

Advancements in Brain Tumor Removal

“Up until now, our eyes and experience have been our main guide in removing brain tumors – discerning what’s normal and abnormal brain tissue,” shares Dr. Maggio.

“Technologies like stealth computer navigation and image guidance use special imaging equipment and computer guidance with a microscope to help in tumor removal, which have helped tremendously, but the fluorescents take it a step further.”

How Does Fluorescent Guided Surgery Work?

A few hours before surgery, the patient will drink a solution – this solution will tend to attach to the tumor tissue in the brain.

“Once in surgery, we’ll have the tumor exposed and use a particular microscope that shines a wavelength of light onto the operating site. This light causes the tumor to light up to a brilliant hot pink color,” explains Dr. Kazmi. “If you look at the brain tissue and tumor under regular light, everything looks normal, but with this microscope we can see exactly where the tumor is.”

The concept is similar to that of a blacklight and a fluorescent poster – as the inks on the poster light up under the black light, the tumor lights up under the microscope light.

Who’s a candidate for this surgery?

“This procedure is typically used for malignant brain tumors, also called glioblastomas,” added Dr. Maggio. “Every patient and case are different, so your surgeon would determine if you’re a candidate for this type of procedure.”

“The goal is to remove only tumor and leave the healthy brain tissue alone. This technique allows us to better see where parts of the tumor are and push the envelope in terms of maximizing the resection,” concludes Dr. Kazmi.

Next Steps & Resources: 

• Meet our clinical contributors: William Maggio, M.D. & Aasim Kazmi, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Drs. Maggio and Kazmi, or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Doctors Explain Fluorescent Guided Brain Surgery appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.