MDNews - Central New York

"Neurosurgery at Upstate has always catered to the sickest of the patients, while also contributing to education and making sure neurosurgeons not only do a good job, but provide the community with the best care possible," Dr. Krishnamurthy says. "We have a specially trained team and high-end technology right here." Upstate Brain & Spine Center is staffed by the largest team of neurosurgical spe- cialists in Central New York, providing a spectrum of services to patients at Upstate University Hospital. The team also provides support to patients at multiple Upstate facilities, including its Level I trauma cen- ter — the only one in the region — Upstate Cancer Center, Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, neonatal care units and Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center. Harish Babu, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Upstate, is one of the clinicians providing care to patients with surgical disorders of the brain and spine. Together with his colleagues, Dr. Babu pro- vides intensive neurosurgery embracing sophisticated technologies. The neuro- surgeons and neurosurgical researchers specialize in brain bleeds, brain tumors, hemorrhages, pediatric care, nerve and spine problems, and strokes. Upstate's neurosurgical technologies include: Intensive Care for Neurological Conditions UP STATE UNI V ER SIT Y HOSPITA L is home to the only structured neurocritical care service in Central New York. The dedicated unit is designed to treat, manage and evaluate patients with the most severe and complex conditions affecting the brain and spine. During the past decade, Upstate's Neuro ICU has nearly more than tripled in size, expanding from an eight-bed unit to a 27-bed unit. "The expansion meets the growing needs of the region," says Julius Gene Latorre, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center. "This was in part fueled by the advancement in acute stroke care and in medical advances in the management of neurosurgi- cal conditions and traumatic brain injuries." The neurology specialists in the Neuro ICU typically treat patients with intercranial hemor- rhage that may be related to a spontaneous hemorrhage of the brain or traumatic hemorrhage of the brain. They are also practiced in managing the care of patients experiencing brain injury related to loss of oxygen from cardiac arrest. Other conditions these specialists may see include uncontrollable seizures and complex neuromuscular conditions, such as Lou Gehrig's disease. In addition to technology and equipment commonly found in ICUs, the Neuro ICU at Upstate University Hospital also has monitoring equipment specially designed to monitor brain function, such as continuous electroencephalogram (CEEG) monitoring critical in the detection of non-convulsive seizures. Stroke Care and Telemedicine PATIENTS IN RUR A L communities who experience stroke can trust the board- certified stroke physicians at Upstate University Hospital to provide expert care via telemedicine. Using and interactive video conferencing, Upstate's team can connect with emergency departments at partnering regional hospitals in real time. Each patient may see a consulting neurologist and Upstate's stroke specialists. Together, this team provides timely medical evaluation and administration of tPA treatment to improve outcomes and minimize risk of long-term complications. Julius Gene Latorre, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center, the first in the region. Satish Krishnamurthy, MD, leads the Neurosurgery department and is a funded researcher. In Fall 2020 he received a $324,000 DOD grant to find a pharmacological solution for hydrocephalus instead of repeated shunt surgery. M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A l N E W Y O R K ■ 2 0 2 0 0 7

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