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 Harold
A. Wilkinson, MD PhD 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.
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.
The Spine Evaluation
Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital
is located in the Lobby of the Wang Ambulatory Care
Center, Suite 021. Please call Robyn
Hamer at 617-726-3511 to arrange Out-Patient
appointments.