Chiari malformation (CIM) presents an interesting pathology, affecting both children and adults. It is described as a downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum (Fig 1). This downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils (more than 5-7mm below the foramen magnum) is the primary cause of signs and symptoms observed. This herniation can be a result of congenital or acquired malformations. There are several theories yet to be […]
Over thirty General Practitioners from around Brisbane attended our first CPD Dinner at Victoria Golf Club on 21 March to learn more about the treatment and management of brain tumours. Neurosurgeon Dr Michael Bryant presented on common neurosurgical diagnoses and treatments and discussed a number of case studies with the audience. Neurosurgeon Dr Hamish Alexander then presented on clinical presentations and surgery for brain tumours, followed by Genesis Cancer Care […]
Chiari malformation (CIM) presents an interesting pathology, affecting both children and adults. It is described as a downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum (Fig 1). This downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils (more than 5-7mm below the foramen magnum) is the primary cause of signs and symptoms observed. This herniation can be a result of congenital or acquired malformations. There are several theories yet to be […]
One of the most common referrals to Neurosurgeons is for evaluation of pineal cysts. The advent of widely available imaging such as MRI and CT scans has lead to a dramatic increase in findings such as this in patients who have presented often with very vague symptoms. As such they can be a diagnostic problem. By definition a pineal cyst is a benign fluid containing cyst within the tissue of the […]
Get to know our Neuro-Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Vivien Biggs, with an insight into her role, how the role has evolved and how Vivien best assists the needs of our patients and families. How do you think the role has evolved since being established? The role was originally established in 2007 and was titled Brain Tumour Coordinator. The main focus of the role was to provide education and support for brain […]
Metastatic tumors are the most common neoplasm in the brain, occurring in 24-45% of all cancer patients and accounting for 20% of cancer deaths annually. These rates are on the increase due to a boost in survival of patients with cancer because of modern therapies along with increased availability of advanced imaging techniques for early detection. Newer therapies such as immunotherapy prolong overall survival in some cancers such as Melanoma […]
Dr Terry Coyne, Director of the Queensland Brain Institute Prof Pankaj Sah and Neurologist Prof Peter Silburn recently travelled to The First People’s Hospital in China to assist in establishing a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) service at the People’s Hospital along with a neurosciences research program at the Southern China University of Science & Technology (SUSTEC) in Shenzhen. This is not the first DBS service Dr Coyne has helped set […]
From all the surgeons and team at BrizBrain & Spine, we would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We’ve had an eventful year and would like to share some of our highlights: We welcomed two new surgeons, Dr Hamish Alexander and Dr Norman Ma Dr Terry Coyne was honoured to receive the OAM medal, bestowed for ‘service worthy of particular […]
The Newro Foundation continues to run unique and world-leading trials towards finding better outcomes for brain tumour patients. We have now followed patients from our initial imunotherapy trial in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) for over 5 years and remarkably some of these patients continue to show no signs of brain cancer. Our immunotherapy trial for patients with newly diagnosed GBM is about to stop recruitment, with almost 30 […]
Dr Steven Yang has completed a successful Viscoelastic Freedom Lumbar Disc operation for a 35 year old female patient suffering from degenerative disc disease in September this year. The patient suffered from degenerative disc disease with radiating pain as a result of a degenerative lumbar disc at level L5-S1. Conservative treatment failed the patient and subsequently she chose to under go surgery. Dr Yang said the Freedom Lumbar Disc was […]
