As a medical specialty, neurosurgery is focused on the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment and rehabilitation of disorders which affect all portions of the nervous system; this includes the brain, spine (including the spinal cord, vertebral bodies and discs) and peripheral nerves. Maryland Brain, Spine & Pain (MBSP) has two neurosurgeons, Dr. Brian Sullivan, and Dr. Gary Dix (neurosurgical consultant), both of whom are Board-Certified. In the field of medicine, not all doctors are Board-Certified, but ours are. A Board-Certified doctor has gone through advanced training in his/her medical specialty. Further, to become certified, a physician must undergo an additional, rigorous set of exams and peer evaluations.
The neurosurgeons at MBSP are conservative; they see surgery as a last resort. Our doctors know when to operate and when to hold off on surgery in place of other approaches first — approaches such as Anti-inflammatories, heat and/or ice, Physical Therapy/Aqua Therapy, Laser, Acupuncture, Chiropractic or Steroid injections. Our surgeons are committed to comprehensive care; they are highly experienced in a wide variety of surgical pathways, from simple, minimally invasive procedures to extensive, complex operations.
For patients who have tried conservative options and are ready for surgery, our neurosurgical team has the knowledge, experience and expertise to care for you. Today, neurosurgery is an advanced field with new treatments options including disc replacement, minimally invasive surgery and other new techniques and technologies (Coflex for spinal stenosis). MBSP takes special pride in how we care for our patients. “We give patients the same medical advice we would give our family members,” says Dr. Sullivan, President of MBSP and a Board-Certified neurosurgeon.
During an initial consultation with one of our specialists — Physician Assistants (PA), Nurse Practitioners (NP) or Doctors — we listen to you, perform a physical exam and review imaging including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for conditions such as bone fractures, brain abnormalities, tumors, and spine conditions like a pinched nerve or herniated disc.
After a thorough review, our surgical team (including PA, NP or MD), will discuss the appropriate treatment with you and your family members. Next steps could include additional studies, if more information is needed, or a visit with one of our non-surgical spine specialists for conservative care options. If surgery is recommended for the brain or spine, rest assured that we will provide you with the exceptional care that has made us experts in our field for more than 30 years.
Want to know more? Check out some of our other pages for more information:
How to Choose the Best Neurosurgeon for You
Why MBSP is Different from Other Back and Pain Specialists