EXPERT
Dr. Juan Torres-Reveron, M.D./ PH.D.
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Juan Torres-Reveron practices Neurological Surgery in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Torres-Reveron is a specialist in functional and epilepsy surgery. He treats movement disorders with deep brain stimulation and high intensity focused ultrasound as well as epilepsy when not responsive to medication, with a variety of techniques. As a neurological surgeon he also treats general neurosurgical conditions including hydrocephalus, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, trauma, tumors as well as spine conditions.
17 years
Experience
Dr. Juan Torres-Reveron, M.D./ PH.D.
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
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How long does back nerve surgery take?
That depends on the type of surgery. You need to ask specifics about the procedure (ie. whether hardware will be used or just a decompression, whether it will be minimally invasive, READ MORE
That depends on the type of surgery. You need to ask specifics about the procedure (ie. whether hardware will be used or just a decompression, whether it will be minimally invasive, etc.). Your surgeon should give you an idea of what to expect both during and after the surgery
Do blood thinners prevent stroke?
In some cases patients need to be on blood thinners to prevent stroke. However, that should not be taken lightly! Blood thinners can be dangerous medications and should only READ MORE
In some cases patients need to be on blood thinners to prevent stroke. However, that should not be taken lightly! Blood thinners can be dangerous medications and should only be used in specific cases. For example, if a patient has atrial fibrillation, that is a reason to use the medication. In other cases they may use antiplatelets like aspirin or Plavix. You can bring this to your primary doctor and discuss your concerns and whether additional workup should be done in your case given your family history
Can sciatica be cured?
It can be but depends on the reasons. Sciatica is a general term used for pain down the legs that is due to a nerve. In some cases it is due to a nerve being pinched in the spine. READ MORE
It can be but depends on the reasons. Sciatica is a general term used for pain down the legs that is due to a nerve. In some cases it is due to a nerve being pinched in the spine. The reasons for that varies. Sometimes physical therapy is enough to help the symptoms. In other cases a surgical procedure is needed to stop the pain
Brain Avm and Radiation Necrosis
Your case is quite complicated. Radiation necrosis is expected after treatments like gamma knife and can be quite distressing as the symptoms are worse than the original disease! READ MORE
Your case is quite complicated. Radiation necrosis is expected after treatments like gamma knife and can be quite distressing as the symptoms are worse than the original disease! In general, the treatment is steroids but those can't be used long term due to significant side effects to your body. Avastin is a reasonable medication as well that can help the symptoms. In some cases neurosurgery is consulted to remove the affected area but in the setting of an AVM this can be quite complicated as it can lead to significant bleeding. Laser thermocoagulation is another technology that has potential to treat radiation necrosis but is offered in selected centers. You can ask your surgeon whether that is an option if avastin fails.
Posterior laminectomy and fusion
Unfortunately you are correct. In most cases a C5 palsy resolves within a couple of weeks and we think it is due to the stretching of the C5 nerve root as the cord moves back READ MORE
Unfortunately you are correct. In most cases a C5 palsy resolves within a couple of weeks and we think it is due to the stretching of the C5 nerve root as the cord moves back after laminectomy. Sometimes I do foraminotomies at the same time the posterior decompression is done but that does not asure that a C5 palsy will not occur. I think this deserves a discussion with your surgeon as to whether there was a structural problem and whether that was the reason for the anterior approach.
Can I drive 2 weeks after wrist surgery?
You should be able to drive. Sometimes a brace is given to protect the wrist and they will tell you to avoid holding any heavy objects.
MRI of brain?
It's a typo. They meant "There is no mass present". Meaning there is no tumor or other mass to explain symptoms
Back pain
I think you need to discuss this with your primary doctor. They need to start with some basic xrays since your pain is generalized. If the xrays are not revealing, an MRI may READ MORE
I think you need to discuss this with your primary doctor. They need to start with some basic xrays since your pain is generalized. If the xrays are not revealing, an MRI may be the next best study to evaluate those areas
Skull surgery and brain tumor
Depending on the location of the surgery, you may have jaw pain. If it was done close to the ear area the muscle in that area connects to the chewing muscles and feels painful READ MORE
Depending on the location of the surgery, you may have jaw pain. If it was done close to the ear area the muscle in that area connects to the chewing muscles and feels painful after surgery. I would expect improvement about 2-3 months after surgery. If it does not improve, start with your primary doctor to discuss a referral
Need neurosurgeon
I don't know anybody in that region but you are relatively close to Durham and Chapel Hill. Both UNC Chapel Hill and Duke are excellent centers to obtain opinions about your back READ MORE
I don't know anybody in that region but you are relatively close to Durham and Chapel Hill. Both UNC Chapel Hill and Duke are excellent centers to obtain opinions about your back and can provide the breadth of care that you may need.
spinal dye injection
You are probably taking about a myelogram to evaluate the nerves in the spine. A spinal tap has to be done to inject the fluid. In general the area can be sore during the procedure READ MORE
You are probably taking about a myelogram to evaluate the nerves in the spine. A spinal tap has to be done to inject the fluid. In general the area can be sore during the procedure but the amount of pain should be tolerable. An MRI is an alternative but sometimes the myelogram can provide different information.
Vp shunt/mental issues
In general this is not expected from a shunt. Even on patients that have had multiple revisions there is no evidence of lingering psychiatric disease. My suggestion would be to READ MORE
In general this is not expected from a shunt. Even on patients that have had multiple revisions there is no evidence of lingering psychiatric disease. My suggestion would be to consult a psychiatrist for additional help. Even if the shunt fails those are not typical symptoms.
Can you help with nerve damage in the back?
That's a very general question. You should see your primary doctor and discuss with them to pinpoint what may be the issue and whether you need an MRI or something similar
Can nerve damage in the leg be fixed?
It can. Usually we wait 6 weeks to evaluate the nerve using EMG and nerve conduction studies. Those studies can tell us whether the nerve is irreparable or there is some hope. READ MORE
It can. Usually we wait 6 weeks to evaluate the nerve using EMG and nerve conduction studies. Those studies can tell us whether the nerve is irreparable or there is some hope. Sometimes the nerve starts growing by itself, it is just a very slow process.
Surgery Dilemma
If you are already scheduled for the knee I would proceed with that. The big question is when was the back fusion. It depends on how the CT scan of the fusion looks. If the READ MORE
If you are already scheduled for the knee I would proceed with that. The big question is when was the back fusion. It depends on how the CT scan of the fusion looks. If the bones have fused the rod is not needed and can be removed. The fact that you broke a rod, however, suggest that there is still motion at that location and the surgery may need to be revised. That can be done electively after your knee surgery
Surgery duration
You are looking at about 3 hours of work from the surgeon. It depends on how difficult and damaged are the discs as no case is ever the same
Brain is damaged
No. Unfortunately the effects of drugs in the brain can't be reversed with surgery. Over time, if you stay clean, the brain may slowly improve.
spinal fusion surgery
It will probably go away with time.. Some of it is likely due to pain and the nerves being manipulated. I would bring this up with your surgeon during your postop visit which READ MORE
It will probably go away with time.. Some of it is likely due to pain and the nerves being manipulated. I would bring this up with your surgeon during your postop visit which is usually 2-3 weeks after surgery. If this persists after a month you may need to see a urologist
Increased pain and swelling after spinal fusion
The hard portion at the top of your incision is usually muscle. That will subside with time. As long as there is no drainage or redness that is spreading chances are it is normal. READ MORE
The hard portion at the top of your incision is usually muscle. That will subside with time. As long as there is no drainage or redness that is spreading chances are it is normal. As always, this is something you can discuss with your surgeon's office since it would depend on the type of surgery you had
What type of doctor should you see after a stroke?
A neurologist and a rehabilitation specialist
