Neurological Procedures That We Perform
Spinal Surgery
Hemilaminectomy
Removal of the side of a vertebra to relieve spinal cord compression, e.g. from intervertebral disc disease.
Ventral Slot
Decompression of the lower aspect of the spine in the neck when there is compression of the cervical spinal cord.
Dorsal Laminectomy
Removal of the dorsal (top) part of vertebrae to decompress the spinal cord, e.g. from lumbosacral disease.
Spinal Stabilization
Stabilizing the spine using pins, screws or plates, e.g. following a fracture or luxation.
Atlantoaxial Stabilization
Surgical fixation of atlantoaxial instability (i.e. instability between the first two cervical vertebrae), sometimes seen in toy breeds
Arachnoid Diverticulum Decompression
Removal or fenestration of fluid-filled cysts within the spinal cord.
Epidural Injections
Injecting medicine around the spinal cord (e.g. corticosteroid to reduce inflammation).
Brain Surgery
Craniotomy/Craniectomy
Opening of the skull to gain access to the brain e.g. for tumor removal or biopsy.
Foramen Magnum Decompression
Treatment of Chiari-like malformation, to relieve pressure at the back of the brain.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement
To drain excess cerebrospinal fluid in dogs with hydrocephalus.
Brain Biopsy
Collection of tissue samples for diagnosing brain tumors or inflammatory diseases.
Peripheral Nervous System Procedures
Nerve biopsy
Sampling a peripheral nerve for further testing to screen for neuropathy in neuromuscular disease.
Muscle Biopsy
Sampling muscle for further testing to screen for myopathy in neuromuscular disease.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection
CSF Tap
Collection of cerebrospinal fluid from the cisternal magna or from the lumbar region, to help in the diagnosis of inflammatory disease within the brain (meningitis/encephalitis) or spinal cord disease (myelitis), or neoplasia (cancer).