Novel Techniques Offers New Freedom to Patients with Parkinson's Disease, Epilepsy, Dystonia, ...(many patients attain remarkable decrease...),Health

Another technique which may be useful in some patients is the Gamma Knife Thalamotomy. This technique uses a focused beam of radiation in a bloodless fashion to create a tiny hole in the region of the brain felt to be responsible for the generation of tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, etc.

Epilepsy is a very common disease affecting between 5 and 10 patients per 1,000 in the United States. It is categorized by recurrent seizures and is a major source of disability.

Studies have now shown that surgery may be of particular benefit in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy that have failed medical therapy. More than half of the patients with epilepsy may be seizure free following surgery. Surgery is associated with improvements in quality of life as well.

Still other patients may be candidates for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) where an electrode is placed on the Vagus nerve in the neck. This is connected to a small pacemaker, which helps to decrease the rate of seizures. These and other minimally invasive techniques are being utilized to treat patients while limiting risks and decreasing hospital stays.

Dr. Snyder received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine where he was honored as AOA (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.) At Mount Sinai School of Medicine he served as an intern in general surgery and advanced to a resident in neurological surgery and then chief resident in neurological surgery. Later he pursued a fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery under Dr. Andres Lozano at the Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto. He has obtained certification in both Gamma Knife and Cyberknife Radiosurgery.