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Long Branch, NJ - Essential tremor is a common problem affecting up to 4 percent of Americans, usually affects the hands during motor activities like writing, eating and typing, and can range in severity from mildly annoying to totally disabling.
Currently available medical treatments have limited effectiveness and can cause side effects. Surgical treatment with implantation of a deep brain stimulator can effectively control this type of tremor, but involves a brain operation, and may not be an option for elderly patients with medical problems or those taking blood thinners.
At Monmouth Medical Center’s Gamma Knife Center, physicians are using Stereotactic radiosurgery to deliver a non-invasive, powerful, highly focused gamma radiation beam offering the same beneficial effect without surgery or risk of bleeding or infection.
Gamma Knife is an advanced radiosurgery system that delivers high-dose gamma radiation beams with pinpoint accuracy to targeted locations in the brain. The Neuroscience Institute at Monmouth Medical Center is excited to offer this innovative treatment through a new research protocol to patients with disabling intractable tremor, according to neurologist Neil R. Holland, M.D., medical director of the institute.
“We offer a unique and totally multidisciplinary approach to the management of this challenging problem,” Dr. Holland says. “Patients are seen by a neurologist, neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist on the same day, and if they are felt to be candidates, can leave the hospital with an appointment arranged for the Gamma Knife procedure.”
The Gamma Knife Center at Monmouth Medical Center recently celebrated its first year of treating patients. The addition of Gamma Knife technology to the hospital’s radiosurgery program helped place Monmouth Medical Center at the forefront of advanced benign and malignant brain tumor treatment, as well as treatment of functional brain disorders and vascular malformations.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with the Gamma Knife Center, call 732-923-6562.
About Monmouth Medical Center
Located in Long Branch, N.J., Monmouth Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, along with the Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, is one of New Jersey's largest academic medical centers and has been a teaching affiliate of Philadelphia’s Drexel University College of Medicine for more than 40 years. From its earliest days, Monmouth Medical Center has been a leader in surgical advancement and has introduced many technological firsts to the region, including robotic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques. The hospital is routinely recognized by HealthGrades, the nation’s largest premier independent health care quality company, for excellence in both emergency medicine and maternity care. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Monmouth as a regional leader in cancer, geriatrics, gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery. For more information on Monmouth Medical Center, visit www.barnabashealth.org.
September 13, 2012
CONTACT: Elizabeth Brennan
(732) 923-5005
ebrennan@barnabashealth.org
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