The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is one of the most active in the country and undertakes a wide spectrum of investigational and therapeutic approaches developed in conjunction with ten epileptologists.

Special program features include:

• Modern seven-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Henry Ford Hospital, with a four-bed unit at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
• Protocols for intracranial electrographic recording and stimulation studies, resective surgery, vagus nerve stimulation and language mapping
• Protocols for MR and SPECT imaging with availability of MR spectroscopy, cortical potentials, regionalized volumetric study, functional MRI and MEG
• Association with the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
• Outcomes in temporal and extratemporal surgical cases that match those established at other premier centers on the continent
• Major contributor to Neuropace National Clinical Trial with implanted electrodes sensing and aborting seizures without the need for resections in selected cases and current use of Neurospace as a treatment option for patients
• The third center in the U.S. to perform stereotactic placement of depth electrodes (sEEG) using the ROSATM robot, which allows for a much shorter and safer surgery, with less risk for bleeding, infection and anesthesia complications

Henry Ford movement disorder neurosurgeons focus in the following clinical areas:

• Neuromodulation (deep brain, cortical and spinal cord stimulation, pallidotomy, thalamotomy and cingulotomy) for movement disorders
• Use of the intraoperative MRI scan for implantation of deep brain stimulation in patients who are candidates but cannot tolerate the usual awake operation required

The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center is one of the premier neuro-oncology centers in the nation offering state-of-the-art clinical and research services:

• A comprehensive program for cancers that metastasize to the brain and spine.
• A comprehensive radiosurgery program for adjunctive treatment of residual or recurrent benign and malignant brain tumors
• A program to map the location of eloquent brain regions (motor and language), performed under general or local anesthesia, and assisted by functional MRI and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies to minimize potential damage from removal of tumors.
• An experienced interventional neuroradiology program to embolize vascular tumors and minimize blood loss during surgical management of selected tumors.
• Skull Base, Pituitary and Endoscopy Center that provides multidisciplinary care planning, treatment and research for all skull base and intracranial conditions.
• Treatment of brain and spinal cord tumors of all types, especially complex ones and those in critically important brain regions.

Hermelin Brain Tumor Center innovation and research highlights include:

• Access to advanced clinical protocols from the only National Cancer Institute-sponsored group of Cancer Centers designed to study new treatments and therapies for brain tumors. The Adult Brain Tumor Consortium also includes Johns Hopkins, University of California, San Francisco and MD Anderson. The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center is the only such center in Michigan.
• Development of one of the largest and most comprehensive research laboratories in the country in studying gene therapy, tumor invasion and angiogenesis. This will lead to novel patient treatment protocols with significantly increased chances for cure in the future.
• First in Michigan to use the Visulase laser ablation system.
• One of six leading sites worldwide for the GBM-AGILE program, a new global glioblastoma initiative that combines new drug development, new clinical trials, advanced precision medicine genetic testing and crowd-sourcing informatics and telecommunications.
• One of the nation’s largest brain tumor boards which reviews each case with analysis of genetic predictors that help to individualize patient treatment.
• The first high-field, adult intraoperative MRI in Michigan, which maximizes the ability to remove the majority of the tumor surgically. It is especially effective with low-grade gliomas, large pituitary tumors and for small, deep biopsies.
• The first in the Midwest to adopt and use the Synaptive optical navigation BrightMatter TM platform.

The Neurovascular Program is a well-respected program nationally, specializing in complex cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), as well as the surgical treatment for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes as part of the Henry Ford Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center. This program includes:

• Investigational trials of neuroregeneration following stroke and brain hemorrhage
• Clinical outcomes from more than 1,000 aneurysms and 500 AVMs are among the best in the United States
• A comprehensive radiosurgery program for the treatment of AVMs that are not surgically curable
• An experienced interventional neuroradiology program for the adjuvant treatment of difficult AVMs and aneurysms with embolization and coil techniques and carotid artery stents for ischemic disease
• A nationally recognized Neuro Critical Care Unit staffed by experienced, fellowship-trained neurointensivists
• Collaboration with the Harris Stroke Center

A broad range of solutions are available for individuals suffering from spasticity, pain syndromes or nerve damage, such as:

• Management of pain and spasticity via spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal infusions and facet rhizotom
• An intractable headache clinical trial with cervical stimulating electrodes
• Trigeminal neuralgia treatment using open operative and percutaneous techniques with over 90 percent success rate

The Novalis® Shaped Beam Surgery™ Program was instituted at Henry Ford in 2001. The Novalis System is considered by many as the most advanced radiosurgery system in the country because of both the ability to treat very irregularly shaped lesions and the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Both advanced technologies minimize normal brain damage. Henry Ford Hospital was the first to develop and utilize spinal radiosurgery for treatment of metastatic disease and is pioneering this treatment for all Novalis sites in the world. Advanced studies such as spectroscopic imaging (SI) and blood flow imaging are used to help differentiate between recurrent tumors and radiation necrosis.

The Department coordinates a multidisciplinary spine center that includes neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, psychiatrists, radiologists and pain specialists who work together to provide the most efficient and effective experience for patients with spinal disorders. The Department of Neurosurgery performs more spine surgery than any other neurosurgery department in Michigan and was the first to perform minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. The Department offers complex spinal surgery (fusion, instrumentation, reconstruction) and surgery for primary and metastatic tumors of the spine and spinal cord.

Other features include:

• A minimal access spine technology (MAST) spine program to provide the most comprehensive care in a minimally invasive manner
• A study center for tumors metastatic to the spine
• Membership in the American Brain Injury Consortium for novel treatment of traumatic head injury
• Use of advanced surgical technology, including the intraoperative CT
• Brain injury regeneration clinical trials
• A Senior Spine clinic for patients 70 years or older that addresses the complexities of spine surgery while focusing on overall wellness
• A second opinion program with a multidisciplinary spine board.
• Serving as coordinating center for the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan initiative since 2013
• Designation as a Blue Distinction Center+ in 2015, a national Blue Cross Blue Shield award given to health care facilities recognized for their expertise and cost-efficiency in delivering specialty care
• Biomotion lab research program

 The Department of Neurosurgery also offers:

• Excellent clinical access (e.g., brain tumors, AVMs and aneurysms seen within 24 hours)
• A collaborative relationship with the referring physician and a commitment to return patient upon completion of neurosurgery treatment
• Access to nurses and physician assistants who act as patient and referring physician liaisons
• Patient and family support groups for AVMs, tumors and epilepsy
• A specialized Neuro Intensive Care Unit staffed by neurointensivists
• Multidisciplinary patient care boards providing clinical consultation and coordination among up to eight specialties to diagnose and plan treatment for difficult cases, including brain tumors, epilepsy, spinal disorders, AVMs, stroke and stroke prevention with carotid stenting

Under the direction of the Neuroscience Institute’s Clinical Trials and Outcomes Center, Drs. David Nerenz and Tom Mikkelsen support novel clinical trials in all disease programs within the Department.