When is surgery needed for cervical myelopathy?

Surgery is generally recommended when spinal cord compression causes functional deficits like hand clumsiness or balance instability. Because the spinal cord has a limited ability to heal, early decompression is critical to prevent permanent disability.

Can cervical myelopathy worsen over time?

Yes. Clinical evidence suggests cervical myelopathy is often progressive, frequently following a 'step-wise' decline where neurological function does not return to baseline without surgical intervention.

What surgery is used to treat cervical myelopathy?

Surgical options depend on anatomy but commonly include Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), Cervical Disc Replacement, or posterior approaches like Laminoplasty and Laminectomy with Fusion.

Is cervical myelopathy serious?

It is a serious condition involving spinal cord compression. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent loss of motor skills. Evaluation by a board-certified neurosurgeon like Dr. Hawasli is essential.

Brain Tumor Surgery Kansas City

Ammar Hawasli, MD, PhD, provides advanced brain tumor surgery in Kansas City, specializing in both malignant and benign tumors. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology like computer-assisted navigation and minimally invasive techniques at NKC Health, he offers comprehensive care for primary brain tumors and metastatic disease.

Brain tumors are abnormal growths of cells within the brain. Some tumors are benign and slow-growing, while others may be more aggressive and require prompt treatment. The goal of treatment is to remove or reduce the tumor while preserving important brain function.

Symptoms of Brain Tumors

Symptoms vary depending on the tumor’s location and size.
Common symptoms may include:

Persistent headaches
Seizures
Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
Difficulty speaking or understanding language
Vision changes
Balance problems
Memory or personality changes

Patients experiencing new neurologic symptoms should seek medical evaluation.

How Brain Tumors Are Diagnosed

Diagnosis typically involves:

Neurological examination
MRI of the brain
CT scans in certain cases
Occasionally biopsy or surgical removal

MRI imaging provides detailed information about the tumor’s location and characteristics.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on several factors including tumor type, size, and location.
Possible treatments include:

Surgical removal of the tumor
Observation for small benign tumors
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy in certain cases

When surgery is appropriate, the goal is maximal tumor removal while protecting important brain structures.

Brain Tumor Surgery

Brain tumor surgery involves removing the tumor through a carefully planned neurosurgical procedure.
Advances in imaging and microsurgical techniques allow surgeons to operate with high precision while minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue.
Surgery may be recommended when:

The tumor is causing neurological symptoms
The tumor is growing
Tissue diagnosis is needed
Removal is likely to improve outcomes

One of the greatest challenges in brain tumor surgery is distinguishing invasive tumor borders from healthy brain tissue. Dr. Hawasli utilizes 5-ALA (Gleolan), an advanced imaging technology where patients drink a specialized solution before surgery that causes cancerous cells to fluoresce a bright pink under blue light. This allows for a significantly more complete resection than traditional white-light surgery alone—increasing the likelihood of total tumor removal while preserving vital brain function

Consultation for Brain Tumor Evaluation

Patients who have been diagnosed with a brain tumor or who have concerning MRI findings strongly benefit from evaluation by a neurosurgeon.
Dr. Hawasli provides rapid-access consultation, second opinions and surgical treatment for brain tumors in the Kansas City area.