The Spine Evaluation Center

The Center has been established to provide timely out-patient consultation for patients with neurosurgical spine problems. Patients with routine or complicated spinal disc syndromes as well as undiagnosed neurological problems related to the spine will be evaluated. This will include cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spondylitic disorders with or without nerve root compression, spinal cord compression, spinal cord tumors, syringomyelia, or other congenital spine disorders.

The Professional Staff available for consultation are under the direction of Ernest S. Mathews, MD. The Spine Center is staffed with experienced secretaries who will screen all potential referrals to the Center so that punctual consultations and care can be given. All patients are seen within a period of one to two weeks but acute neurosurgical patients are seen on an emergency basis.

• Second Opinions: The Spine Center will evaluate second opinions in regard to diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and management.
• Low Back Syndromes: Evaluation of chronic low-back pain disorders in patients with multiple surgical procedures will be seen on a one-time consultation basis in order to assist the patient in making a rational decision regarding further treatment and therapy.
• Independent Medical Evaluations: The Spine Center will conduct Independent Medical Evaluations and RECORD REVIEWS for insurance carriers and law offices upon request.
• Pain-Rehabilitation: Patients with chronic pain or with rehabilitation problems will be evaluated and referred to the MGH Pain Unit or the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center.
• Neurological Work-Up and Care: The Staff will schedule and evaluate Myelogram-CTs, MRIs, plain Xrays, and all other neuro-investigative studies on an individual case basis.
• Surgical Treatment: At the completion of a comprehensive neuro-diagnostic work-up, the patient is then referred to a Staff Neurosurgeon for surgical treatment. Patients who require instrumentation and stabilization will be seen in conjunction with the Orthopedic Department for evaluation and definitive treatment.

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