Cranial neurosurgery

We know how scary it is if you’ve been told you have a problem with your a brain, like a tumour. But the truth is, in a large majority of cases, these conditions are either highly treatable or may not need active treatment at all (let alone surgery on your brain).

The most important thing for you to do is talk to an expert who can explain what’s going on, put the problem in context, and set out your treatment options.

Our cranial neurosurgeons are industry leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as:

• Brain tumours (cancer or non-cancer)
• Hydrocephalus (often known as 'water on the brain')
• Vascular problems (for example: aneurysm, AVM)
• Head injuries
• Nerve syndromes (such as trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm)
• Movement disorders

Often other specialists, such as neurologists, ENT consultants, ophthalmologists, or GPs, are the first to pick these problems up, usually after a brain scan. 

The outline diagnosis from the scan may leave the patient worried and confused about what the result means. 

Our cranial neurosurgeons and the neurology team will quickly and accurately diagnose what is wrong, giving you reassurance and an understanding of you need to do next. At The London Independent Hospital, we work with a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach, meaning your consultant will liaise with a team of other experts to ensure you get the highest quality of decision-making and care.

The team includes specialists in Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology (non-surgical tumour treatment), Neuroradiology, Endocrinology, Ophthalmology and more. 

On the occasions when surgery is needed, you will be in the highly-trained hands of our neuro-specialist theatre, neuro-ICU, and ward teams.

This MDT approach ensures you receive access to unrivalled expertise and insight, as well as the highest levels of care and attention.

All members of the team are available on site, making sure your diagnosis and treatment is as seamless and convenient as possible.

If you are coming to us directly (rather than via GP or insurance referral), we offer very competitively priced self-pay packages, along with payment plan options to help make private healthcare accessible and affordable for all. 

When you visit our consultants you are assured of immediate access to leading specialists, as well as cutting-edge diagnostic equipment. 

We put great emphasis on treating each patient as an individual and ensuring that diagnosis and treatment takes into account every possible facet of your condition.

The decision as to what treatment to advise will be based on years of clinical experience and the best current clinical trial evidence, combined with your circumstances and needs.

There is a wide range of potential options you and your consultant could consider, including: 

• Active monitoring - in the case of benign conditions such as tumours, it is often satisfactory to keep a watch on a static abnormality in preference to having surgical  treatment
• Medical treatment of symptoms - e.g. anti-seizure tablets to prevent seizures
• Biopsy -  if your neurosurgeon needs to take a sample of tissue for examination they will use minimally invasive methods, meaning the operation will be often possible as a day case
• Surgery - there is a wide range of possible procedures in modern Neurosurgical practice and these are carried out using microscopic or endoscopic methods, as well as utilising state-of-the-art image guided systems. Surgical treatment may involve anything from a daycase admission to several nights in hospital, sometimes including a stay on out high dependency unit (ITU)
• Radiotherapy and chemotherapy - these can be used as an alternative to, or combined with, surgery to optimise the treatment of many brain tumours

Whatever your circumstances, your diagnosis and treatment will be carried out at a time and in a way that best suits you, with all the services you need available under one.

Referral

We accept patients via referrals from GPs or health insurance providers, as well as private patients who simply book a consultation directly.

We aim to arrange a private consultation for you within as little as 48 hours from referral or first contact, at a time that is convenient for you.

Consultation

Our consultant will meet with you for around half an hour about your specific circumstances and needs.

They will listen carefully to your concerns and take a comprehensive medical, social and lifestyle history. This will help them understand your symptoms and how they are affecting you.

They may also conduct a neurological examination; this may include assessment of your peripheral and central nervous through a series of tests:

• Gait assessment: limb power, co-ordination and assessment
• Cranial nerve examination: for example, assessing vision, facial sensation and movement and hearing

Your consultant will combine these findings with information from any existing scans and then may request further investigations, sub-specialised MRI scans for example or blood vessel imaging, to focus on particular areas of interest.

We make time to arrive at the correct decision regarding treatment; the need for urgent surgery is relatively rare. This means you will have plenty of time to talk your options over with your consultant, family, or your GP.

Treatment and after-care

If  you need medication then this can be obtained at our on-site pharmacy.

Should you need surgery, this can normally be organised in around two weeks and your operation will take place in one of our state-of-the-art operating theatres.

Dependent on your treatment, your consultant will see you for a follow-up to monitor your progress.

When you visit The London Independent Hospital for your cranial neurosurgery treatment in East London, you will benefit from:

• Rapid access to an expert in cranial neurosurgery - being diagnosed with a brain tumour can be scary. You can see a consultant who is a specialist in their field, at a time that suits you, even if that’s early morning, in the evening, or at the weekend. You can book a consultation with just 5-clicks via our website.
• Bespoke approach -  you can choose the consultant who is the best fit for you, whether that’s for reasons of culture, gender, religion, language, or just personality. Your consultant will also tailor your treatment plan, using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to ensure an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment for you. 
• Comprehensive physiotherapy support - our experienced on-site physiotherapy team will work closely with you before and after any surgery to help you regain strength at a sensible pace. Your Consultant will oversee all aspects of your treatment to ensure you continue to see the best results and symptom relief possible for your condition.
• Multi-disciplinary team -  our multi-disciplinary approach means you can see your consultant, have diagnostics, surgery/treatment and rehabilitation in one hospital; a clean and familiar environment with friendly faces.
• Friendly environment - across the board our staff - from reception staff, to nurses and theatre staff - are highly trained in their specific roles, truly care about patients, and pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming (and they love giving directions if you get a bit lost!) 

If you are have been diagnosed with a tumour on the brain, you can book your appointment today to see one of our specialists for a bespoke treatment plan. We look forward to welcoming you to The London Independent Hospital soon.