Chiari malformation is a structural abnormality in the brain where the cerebellum is located in a lower position than is normal. In these cases, the cerebellum is situated below the opening to the spinal cord. When the cerebellum occupies this lower position, more pressure is exerted on the cerebellum and the brain stem. This affects […]
The severity of a tumor located within the brain doesn’t need any explanation — it is life threatening. When a tumor is found and can be removed, we perform what is called a craniotomy. An AVM craniotomy is a surgery where we remove a portion of the skull to gain access to the brain. Surgery […]
Although it is not a common condition by any means, we sometimes see patients suffering from hemifacial spasm. Hemifacial spasm is a rare neuromuscular disease characterized by irregular, involuntary muscle contractions (spasms) on one side of the face. These spasms are triggered by the facial nerve, which originates in the brainstem and exits the skull […]
The trigeminal nerve is the nerve that supplies sensation to your face. In a condition called trigeminal neuralgia that nerve starts sending out signals of severe pain, rather than what is actually happening on your face. This is a chronic pain condition that affects the 5th cranial nerve, which is one of the most widely […]
Some people think that shaking is a part of growing older. Or they think that if they develop a shake it’s the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Actually, it could be essential tremor, a nerve disorder characterized by uncontrollable shaking, or “tremors,” in different parts of the body. While essential tremor is not life threatening, it […]
You’ve heard the horror stories associated with Parkinson’s disease, where patients have lost one physical thing they do after another until they’re left with the option of basically watching TV at home. At Texas Neurosurgery, we think there is a better solution. Although there is no cure currently available for Parkinson’s disease, we offer a […]
Involuntary muscle spasms are unwanted anywhere on our bodies. But while irritating involuntary muscle spasms such as jittery legs are nothing more than an annoyance, other conditions such as hemifacial spasms can start as an annoyance and become more serious, even to the extent of closing off the vision in one eye. What are hemifacial […]
An aneurysm is an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakness in the arterial wall. Most aneurisms go undetected and don’t cause any problems, but they need to be taken seriously. At Texas Neurosurgery, we treat and also try to prevent aneurysms in our patients. What is an aneurysm? When the wall […]
Seven bones make up the cervical vertebrae, commonly known as your neck. Of course, the function of the neck is to support the head and connect it to the shoulders and the torso. Break one of those seven bones and you’ve broken your neck. These injuries are the result of what it is called “high-energy […]
Although it’s hard to understand how this can happen, spondylolisthesis is a condition where one of your vertebrae, most commonly located in the lower spine (lumbar), slides forward over the bone below it. When this happens the spinal column becomes misaligned and the condition should be treated as soon as it is discovered to prevent […]
