High-volume brain tumor program benefits patients

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has the highest brain tumor volumes when compared to a national database of other leading children’s hospitals for first and second quarter 2015. This year, the neurosurgery team performed 183 brain tumor surgeries.

The brain tumor program is a partnership between Le BonheurChildren’s Hospital, Semmes Murphey Clinic, PC, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“There are numerous papers showing that centers with higher volumes have more reduced mortality and morbidity, complete resections and decreased length of stay. High-volume programs benefits patients with their large, experienced teams that collaborate on cases and the latest diagnostic tools,” said Neuroscience Institute Co-Director and Chair of the Division of Neurosurgery Frederick Boop, MD.

Le Bonheur has built a comprehensive program that includes the most advanced technology available, including intraoperative MRI, function MRIs, Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Facilities include a six-bed neurosurgical ICU, a 10-bed epilepsy monitoring unit and specialized neuroscience unit, all staffed with nurses who have specialized training.

The multidisciplinary team includes physicians representing radiology, neuropsychology, neuropathology and neuroendocrinology, plus specially trained nurses, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists, nutritionists and audiologists. Additionally, the weekly brain conference team includes pediatric neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists at Le Bonheur and neuro-oncologists and pediatric radiation oncologists at St. Jude

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