Mount Auburn Healthcare Connection

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Mount Auburn Hospital’s board certified neurosurgeons work with radiologists to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with various neurological disorders. They provide around-the-clock service to the community and optimize outcomes by utilizing the latest advancements in neurosurgical technology.

These technological advancements have brought neurosurgery to an unprecedented level. “Technology is always evolving, particularly in imaging,” says Ronald Warren, M.D., neurosurgeon at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

Advanced MRI with stereotactic neuronavigation is one of the latest neurosurgical advancements used at Mount Auburn Hospital. Dr. Warren explains that it is much like the navigation system people use in their cars. Similar to a city being mapped out, the brain is mapped out using the MRI or CT scan data. Instead of the computer telling a driver what direction to turn their car, the real-time, neuronavigation system tells surgeons where their tools are going. “When we go in for surgery the computers have the head mapped out and guides the instruments in the direction they need to go,” says Dr. Warren. This allows for precise accuracy in the brain and significantly reduces risks involved with neurosurgery.

“The brain and spine are a complex system,” says Dr. Warren. Mount Auburn Hospital’s neurosurgeons are highly trained to surgically treat patients with complications affecting the three main areas of the neurological system: the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves that reach to the furthest extremities in the body.

“In the brain, we commonly see trauma, spontaneous hemorrhaging and tumors,” says Dr. Warren. Although some brain tumors are extremely risky and nearly impossible to access, Dr. Warren says they can at least be biopsied in order to make a diagnosis. “Once a diagnosis is made, we can consider options including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation,” he says. Neurosurgeons at Mount Auburn Hospital also treat ruptured blood vessels in the head that cause intracranial hemorrhaging, which is when blood accumulates in the brain. “Hemorrhaging can be caused by traumatic brain injury or blood vessel abnormalities,” he says. High blood pressure is also a risk factor.

Neurosurgeons at Mount Auburn Hospital also commonly treat a wide range of spinal injuries. Dr. Warren and his colleagues often treat patients with herniated discs, tumors and spinal trauma. The spinal cord transmits information to and from the brain to the rest of the body, which allows for movement and speech. Tumors and other spinal trauma can cause a person to lose these body functions, many of which can be restored through neurosurgical approaches.

Mount Auburn Hospital’s neurosurgeons dedicate themselves to providing patients with diagnosis and treatment for brain, spine and nervous system complications with the highest standard of care. Through regular, ongoing continuing education to learn about the latest technology, procedures and techniques, they are able to offer the community the best care possible.

They are also available to Mount Auburn Hospital’s patients 24 hours a day. “We account for the neurosurgical needs in the community,” says Dr. Warren. “In conjunction with our excellent neuro-radiologists, we provide diagnostic services, treatment and prevention.”

For a free Mount Auburn Hospital physician directory, please call us at 617-499-5094.