Superior care for brain and spine conditions

Desert Care Network’s neurology services include:

• Advanced brain and spine care services, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.
• A dedicated neurological critical-care unit
• The expertise and technology to treat brain and spine conditions, from strokes to head trauma to spinal cord injuries
• Long-term rehabilitation and outpatient follow-up care

The Stroke Program

Home to the Coachella Valley’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, Desert Care Network’s three-hospital system provides stroke care close to home. Anchored by a Comprehensive Stroke Center at Desert Regional Medical Center, our program has raised the standard of neurological care in the region. Desert Regional has also received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll. Learn more about our Stroke Program.

At Desert Care Network, stroke care begins with triage of the patient in the emergency room, advanced imaging, the 24/7 availability of an endovascular specialists at Desert Regional, including dedicated care in the neurological critical-care and/or stroke units. If necessary, our commitment extends to long-term rehabilitation care and outpatient follow-up for you or a loved one.

The Neurointerventional Program

Desert Care Network’s Neurointerventional Program features highly specialized neuroendovascular techniques that avoid conventional open surgery, when possible, to treat neurovascular diseases. Some of its procedures include:

• Coil embolization of ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms
• Mechanical endovascular clot removal for acute stroke
• Intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke
• Pre-operative embolization of vascular malformations of the brain and spine
• Pre-operative embolization of intracranial and spine tumors
• Carotid stent and angioplasty
• Intracranial angioplasty and stent placement
• Inferior petrosal sinus sampling for Cushing disease
• Dural venous sinus stent/venoplasty
• Dural venous sinus manometry for pseudotumor cerebri/idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Percutaneous kyphoplasty
• Diagnostic cerebral angiogram
• Diagnostic spinal angiogram
• WADA testing

A collaboration between Desert Regional’s neurosurgery and radiation oncology teams also targets formerly inoperable brain tumors. They use Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), a non-invasive treatment option for select patients with brain tumors, vascular malformations and other conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia.

SRS uses 3D computerized imaging to precisely target thin beams of high-dose radiation to the targeted area, with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Unlike conventional, whole-brain radiation, SRS can be repeated or used in addition to whole-brain radiation. The tumor is not removed, but radiation distorts the DNA of the tumor cells so they lose their ability to reproduce.

Tumors that can be treated with SRS include acoustic neuromas, some malignant gliomas, chordomas, hemangioblastomas, meningiomas, pineal tumors, pituitary adenomas and metastatic brain tumors.

The Spine Care Program

Desert Care Network’s Spine Care Program is designed specifically for back- and neck-pain patients. It incorporates some of the latest research to help you take measures to prevent or lessen your pain. Its team includes a clinical coordinator who is in charge of your care, as well as specialists in spine and neurosurgery, neurology, pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, radiology, physical therapy and psychology. They work together as needed to determine the best course of treatment for you.

The Spine Care Program has developed a diagnostic and treatment protocol that reflects the input of the specialty-trained team, incorporating some of the latest evidence-based medicine and research as well as relevant literature from the medical community at large. In addition, Desert Regional has achieved Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery from The Joint Commission.

As a patient, you will participate in an initial assessment and be referred to Spine Program practitioners, as appropriate, for treatment. You will see the specialty practitioners relevant to your recommended treatment plan, streamlining your care for optimum timely recovery.

Treatment plans start with conservative methods of back-pain management, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, heat and cold therapy, special exercise or massage. If pain does not resolve using conservative methods, surgery might be an option. Minimally invasive techniques are used for fewer complications, less pain and faster recovery and return to normal activity.

For more information on the programs available at Desert Care Network, visit www.DesertCareNeuro.com .