Overview
Our Neurology Department is not only a branch of Internal Medicine, but is also closely connected to a number of other departments including Neurosurgery, Neuroendovascular Therapy, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and Psychosomatic Medicine, and acts as the general department for anything to do with the nervous system. Our department handles a wide variety of issues, from providing primary care for nervous symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and numbness, to dealing with serious neurological conditions that require a high degree of specialization. Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s, spinocerebellar degeneration, and multiple system atrophy), neuroimmune disorders (such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis), and forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, are the core diseases treated at our department.
In recent years, there has been amazing progress made in very early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral infarction. At our hospital, the Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuroendovascluar Therapy departments have formed a Neurology Center, providing appropriate treatment through close cooperation with each other. We proactively pursue healthcare cooperation with other facilities to provide smooth transition for any recovery rehabilitation, or continuation of treatment in chronic/maintenance phases.
Diseases and Expertise
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease manifests mainly in tremors, rigidity, akinesis, and the impairment of postural reflexes, and not only needs early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate medication, but a long-term treatment strategy that covers its advanced stages as well. Our department differentiates between a number of similar diseases, and puts a heavy focus on the quality of life when it comes to selecting medication. In addition to treating the motor symptoms in the advanced stages such as motor fluctuations and dyskinesia (involuntary movement), we also offer treatment focusing on non-motor symptoms.
Spinocerebellar degeneration and multiple system atrophy
These are neurodegenerative diseases with the main symptom of axia (problems in controlling the limbs and torso). Genetic testing is offered partially, since accurate diagnosis helps to predict prognosis and to select treatment.
Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica
These are autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Diagnosis is based on the 2010 McDonald criteria, and levels of aquaporin 4 are measured in the case of neuromyelitis optica. During flare-ups, we offer treatment including steroid pulse therapy and blood purification therapy. Treatment in the maintenance/chronic phase includes S1PR receptor functional antagonists, interferon beta (1b, 1a), and immunosuppressant drugs.
Myasthenia gravis
This onsets with the impairment of the neuromuscular junction, and is a neuroimmune disorder commonly noticed by symptoms such as double vision or a drooping eyelid. To decide on a diagnosis and treatment, we perform several tests including blood tests, neurophysiological examinations, and imaging. In addition to internal medical treatment using steroids or immunosuppressants, we also offer surgical procedures (extended thymectomy),
Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
These appear as a decline in muscle strength of the limbs during progression through the subacute phase. We offer treatment and diagnosis with other relevant departments to make sure your symptoms are not linked to connective tissue disease, interstitial lung disease or malignant tumor. Our department not only distinguishes between the wide variety of muscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, but also focuses on treating the muscle pathology itself.
Immune-mediate neuropathy
This disease is a peripheral nerve disease that symmetrically disrupts the movement and sensations of the limbs. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, which progresses over two or more months, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, which presents over several days to a week, are the most representative of this disease. We offer neurophysiological tests, cerebrospinal fluid exam, as well as measuring levels of antiganglioside antibodies before offering diagnosis. We conduct treatments using steroids, immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, and immunosuppressants.
Dementia
A dementia specialist examines patients at the Memory Clinic. In order for them to better understand your current day-to-day situation, please bring a family member or someone close to you when you visit for an examination. Please note that we operate an appointment system, so an appointment and referral letter from your outside physician are necessary. After deciding on a treatment, we will work together with your primary care physician.
Note: To make an appointment, please contact the appointment services desk.
Note: To make an appointment, please contact the appointment services desk.
Headaches
At our Friday Headache Clinic, a headache specialist will examine you. We offer diagnosis and treatment for intractable and chronic headaches including migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches. In order to rule out headaches that may be symptomatic of underlying problems such as a brain tumor or subarachnoid hemorrhage, please bring any image diagnosis results (e.g. a head CT, MRI or MRA), along with a referral letter from your outside physician.
Neurophysiological examinations
We offer neurophysiological examinations as an extension of neurological tests. (These include peripheral nerve conduction examinations, needle electromyograms, measuring brave waves, repetitive stimulation tests, visual evoked potential tests, somatosensory evoked potential tests, auditory brainstem response tests, blink reflex test, skin sympathetic reflex test, balance examinations, and surface electromyograms.) Currently we do not offer magnetic stimulation exams.