The London Bridge Hospital: Neurosurgery, spinal surgery and treatment of brain tumours in London

The London Bridge Hospital has an international reputation for neurosurgery and the treatment of brain tumours. The hospital provides the very highest standards of clinical skills and nursing care in a comfortable, newly-refurbished hospital overlooking the River Thames and Tower Bridge.

Dedicated and highly trained staff at every level ensure that patients with brain tumours or undergoing neurosurgery receive the best possible treatment, making your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. All clinical staff are professionally registered and undergo a range of annual updates. These include basic and advanced life support, infection control, health & safety and customer care. In addition staff undertake numerous post graduate educational courses to ensure that patients receive the most up to date and experienced based care.

The GP Liaison Department works closely with the neurosurgeons and neurologists who see patients at London Bridge Hospital and they have a dedicated and caring approach in finding you the earliest appointment possible.

For an appointment or for any further information on neurosurgery and brain tumour treatment, please call London Bridge Hospital on 0845 602 7906  or send an email.

Neurosurgery services provided

Spinal procedures

Spinal procedures (excluding childhood and juvenile scoliosis) provided include cervical, thoracic and lumbar operations for degenerative, disc and neoplastic disorders. Where indicated the procedures will include fixation/fusion, with instrumentation. There is also a specialist interest in the management of patients with trigeminal neuralgia, including micro-vascular decompression via the posterior fossa route.

Sciatica and back pain

Neurological assessment, MRI scanning and treatment of sciatica and back pain. A holistic approach to management embracing physiotherapy, pain relief, and surgery where needed in the case of a slipped disc (microdiscectomy). In a microdiscectomy a small portion of the bone over the nerve and/or disc material from under the nerve is removed to relieve pressure. The pressure on the nerve root can cause severe leg pain, and while it may take  months for the nerve root to fully heal and any numbness or weakness to get better, patients normally feel relief from leg pain almost immediately after a microdiscectomy.

Biopsy of Brain Tumour

The location of a tumour may make it unsuitable for removal, in which case a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy removes a small piece of the tumour so it may be examined under the microscope. Stereotactic biopsy is the safest and most accurate method by which to biopsy most brain tumours. Stereotactic frames are accurate to 1mm.  The frame is applied to the patient's head while asleep and the tumour is located using either a CT or MRI scan. A 6mm hole is then made in the skull and a needle passed into the tumour to remove a piece for examination.    

Debulking of Brain Tumour

If the tumour is in a relatively "silent" part of the brain or if it so large that it is causing symptoms of raised pressure and headaches, it may be debulked. The aim is to safely reduce the volume of the tumour. A craniotomy (removal of part of the skull) is performed under anaesthetic. The volume of tumour is reduced (debulked). Tumours spread in such a way that they cannot be cured by simply removing them. All patients ARE referred for an opinion to a neuro-oncologist for chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Shunts for Hydrocephalus

Most patients with symptomatic hydrocephalus need a cerebral spinal fluid (csf) diversion procedure. The options are to divert the fluid from the head into another body cavity (abdomen or chest) or re-route the flow of fluid within the brain. In a shunt the diversion is performed by inserting a tube and a valve into the fluid chambers within the brain, and then running a further tube from the valve into the appropriate body cavity. This system is called a shunt, and is most commonly placed from the ventricle to the peritoneum (ventriculo-peritoneal shunt).

Endocsopic Third Ventriculostomy for Hydrocephalus

In some cases of hydrocephalus fluid can be re-routed within the brain. A new hole is made within the brain to bypass the obstruction in the brain. This is done using a "telescope". A 8mm hole is made in the skull around 6-8cm back from the level of the mid eyebrow and an endoscope placed through the brain into the fluid chambers. The scope is then guided into the third ventricle and a hole (6mm) punched into the floor of the third ventricle. This allows brain fluid to escape out of the brain cavities thus relieving hydrocephalus.

Facilities at the London Bridge Hospital

The London Bridge Hospital has over 100 rooms, making it one of the largest private hospitals in the UK. Standard in-patient rooms are single with air conditioning and en-suite bathroom facilities including a shower.  Many rooms overlook the River Thames whilst others overlook the attractive internal atrium.

Each bedroom has TV, satellite channels, radio, direct dial telephone, a fridge and Nurse Call system. If requested they can provide daily newspapers, books and a number of business services.

A different menu for each day of the week gives you a choice of dishes including vegetarian options. Their chef will cater for special diets while their dietician will recommend the dishes that are most appropriate for you.

London Bridge Hospital has a great deal of experience in meeting the cultural needs of international patients and offers a service which provides support from the moment a medical report is received right through to assistance with arranging transport home, ensuring international patients feel at ease about coming to London for treatment and feel at home during their stay at London Bridge Hospital.

Contact details

The London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street

London SE1 2PR

Tel:  0845 602 7906

        0845 602 4255 - appointments

Fax: +44 (0)20 7407 3162

Email: info@lbh.hcahealthcare.co.uk

Website: www.londonbridgehospital.com

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