- Osteoporosis
- ArthritisAnterior cervical discectomy and fusion study using PEEK/Infuse. Safety and efficacy of Infuse/PEEK in the treatment of cervical spinal degeneration and cervical rdaiculopathy. Bone morphogenic protein (BMP-2, or, also known as Infuse™) has been one of the most significant advances in spine surgery in the last decade. Its ability to promote bone growth has increased success rates of fusion in patients who were once deemed too risky for surgical fusion (smokers, patients with rheumatoid arthritis, etc). Fusion with BMP-2 may become the gold-standard for fusion over hip autograft harvest. In careful concentrations and dosing, BMP-2 will be able to provide excellent fusion rates for patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion. However, the nature of BMP-2 to recruit cells to the region of desired fusion also makes it prone to transient inflammation and swelling. Single level study follow-up ongoing, enrollment is completed. Multilevel study enrollment to be announced.
- Stroke RehabilitationDr. Asterios Tsimpas specializes in the neurosurgical treatment of brain, spine and peripheral nerve disorders, as well as neurovascular diseases, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and carotid disease. He serves as the Co-Director of Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery and the Surgical Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Mission Hospital – Mission Viejo.
- Pregnancy
- Prostate Cancer
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel. The pathophysiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression of the median nerve traveling through the carpal tunnel. The risk factors for CTS are primarily genetic rather than environmental, although repetitive use has been shown to play a role in aggravating carpal tunnel syndrome.
- EpilepsyDr. Hwang specializes in the disorders of the brain, spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve. He treats various conditions including brain tumor, degenerative spine disease, spinal tumor, traumatic brain and spinal injuries, epilepsy, depression, trigeminal neuralgia, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and peripheral nerve entrapment and injury.
- Depression
- Diabetes Care
- Thyroid
- MRIAll medical records and films pertaining to your condition. We ask for actual films and or CDs of your CT, MRI and/or x-rays. We also ask for the report. If you are having surgery your surgeon will need actual MRI films, not CD.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyCerebrospinal fluid examination. If your doctor suspects a subarachnoid hemorrhage, but the hemorrhage doesn’t appear on a CT scan, your doctor may examine fluid from your spinal column (cerebrospinal fluid) for the presence of blood. A doctor will insert a needle into your lower back to withdraw a small amount of spinal fluid in a procedure called a spinal tap or lumbar puncture.
- ChemotherapyThe four cardinal patterns of peripheral neuropathy are polyneuropathy, mononeuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex and autonomic neuropathy. The most common form is (symmetrical) peripheral polyneuropathy, which mainly affects the feet and legs. The form of neuropathy may be further broken down by cause, or the size of predominant fiber involvement, i.e., large fiber or small fiber peripheral neuropathy. Frequently the cause of a neuropathy cannot be identified and it is designated idiopathic. More common causes include diabetes, alcohol abuse, toxin exposure, vitamin deficiency, infections, chemotherapy, and many others. Peripheral neuropathy is mostly treated by Neurologists rather than Neurosurgeons.
- Radiation TherapyAnd finally, the CyberKnife System’s treatment accuracy is unrivaled. Its ability to treat tumors with pin-point accuracy is unmatched by other radiation therapy and radiosurgery systems. The CyberKnife System can essentially “paint” the tumor with radiation allowing it to precisely deliver treatment to the tumor alone, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. For more information click here.
- General SurgeryHe received his medical degree (MD) from Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany, and obtained his Master of Science degree (MSc) in International Health Policy at the esteemed London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK. He completed his surgical internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School, and trained as a general surgery resident at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, before completing his neurosurgical residency at University of Miami – Jackson Memorial Hospital. After graduation from residency, he trained as a fellow in Neurovascular Surgery and Endovascular Neurosurgery at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience. He earned his MBA from Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University, one of the top business schools in the country.
- Scoliosis SurgeryPatients who are preparing for scoliosis surgery undergo a rigorous preoperative evaluation, including cardiac clearance, GI emptying studies, pulmonary function testing, endocrine and rheumatologic evaluation.
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryAfter training a decade in Houston, Texas at Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Jackson returned home to Orange County, California to practice neurosurgery. Dr. Jackson is a board certified neurosurgeon, who specializes in minimally invasive surgery of the brain and spine, complex spine surgery including spinal tumor resection, spinal stabilization procedures, disc replacement of the cervical and lumbar spine and stereotactic radiosurgery for brain and spine tumors. From 2003-2013, he was honored to accept the appointment of Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of California Irvine. Since 2006, Dr. Jackson has served as Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center and level two trauma center, in Mission Viejo, California.
- NeurosurgeryThe neurosurgeons of Orange County Neurosurgical Associates are dedicated to providing proven surgical and non-surgical treatments for brain and spinal disorders. Additionally, we lead and participate in current research and clinical trials. Clinical trials allow us to advance the science of neurosurgery, and allow us to offer the most modern, up-to-date treatments for our patients. Some of our current clinical trials/studies are listed below. Darin Johnson, PA is our research coordinator and can answer additional questions regarding ongoing trials.
- Robotic SurgeryDr. Hwang is passionate about research, development, and innovation in the fields of neurosurgery and biotechnology. He has conducted extensive research in epilepsy, advanced neuromodulation, robotic surgery, stroke, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, facial pain syndromes, and surgeon performance optimization.
- Reconstructive SurgeryDr. Jason A. Liauw graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine where he was recognized with the highest distinction awarded to those in the medical scholars program. Dr. Liauw completed his neurosurgery residency training at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery where he was chief of service in 2014. While at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Liauw was awarded the Frank Coulson Jr. Distinction for Clinical Excellence as well as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons & Congress of Neurological Surgeons Apfelbaum Award for Spine and Peripheral Nerve Research. Dr. Liauw additionally completed a formalized two-year fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery in complex spine reconstructive surgery and spinal oncology under the training of Dr. Ziya Gokaslan, an international authority on complex spine surgery. His spinal scoliosis training was under complex spinal deformity specialists, Dr. Timothy Witham and Dr. Daniel Sciubba. His brain tumor specialty training was under Dr. Henry Brem, Dr. Jon Weingart, Dr. Michael Lim, Dr. Ben Carson, and Dr. Chetan Bettegowda. His training is a testament to his areas of focused specialty clinical practice which include complex and minimally invasive spine surgery and brain tumor surgery. Dr. Liauw also sees patients diagnosed with chiari malformation and trigeminal neuralgia, as he treated a high volume of patients with those conditions at the Johns Hopkins Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chiari Headache Centers.
- LesionsDr. Kim completed both a neurosurgery residency and a complex spine fellowship at the University of Southern California (USC) Department of Neurosurgery. His spine fellowship included reconstructive spine techniques in tumor, deformity, and trauma as well as travel to Australia to study the latest advancements that have not yet reached the United States. His areas of current interest include the natural history of facet degeneration and diseases of the posterior spine; posterior-only approaches to the cervico-thoracic junction and thoracic ventral lesions; penetrating traumatic brain and spinal cord injury; transpedicular and en bloc trauma and tumor spine reconstructions; the use of biologics in neuro-regeneration and repair; scoliosis and adult deformity; failed back syndrome and adjacent segment degeneration; patients with prior surgery and worsening conditions; minimally invasive spine techniques; advanced imaging modalities (e.g. MR myelography, fusion bone CT-SPECT, and tensor DWI) in the care of spine patients; posterior dynamic stabilization; and rare tumors of the cerebral nervous system.
- Physical TherapyMost spinal problems involving the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and or lumbar spine can be treated conservatively without surgery. Time, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy, are often safe and effective in the treatment of common spinal problems. Certain problems may require surgical intervention. The following procedures are commonly used to treat spinal problems refractory to non-operative care.
- Neck Pain