NEUROLOGY

Neurology is the medical discipline that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system, which is constituted of the brain, spine, nerves and muscles. The most common neurological diseases include: 
 

• Cerebrovascular diseases
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases
• Movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia, chorea)
• Neuromuscular diseases [myasthenia gravis, polyneuropathy, motor neuron disease (ALS), muscle diseases]
• Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease)
• Epilepsy
• Sleep disorders

The Neurology department of Koç University Hospital is led by an expanding team of outstanding physicians, who keep track of ongoing scientific and technological advancements around the world and adopt the most recent recognized approaches for treatment and diagnosis of these conditions. We strive to offer excellent and patient-centric medical services within the framework of ethical codes of conduct and evidence-based practices. Equipped with the latest technology and assuming a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, our department makes a difference in diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases.

Practices and Treatment Methods of the Neurology Department 

 

Muscle Diseases Center

Treatment and diagnosis of muscle diseases, which are rare conditions, require years of follow-up and collaborative and coordinated work by a team that is led by a neurologist and consists of the disciplines of medical genetics, immunology, muscle pathology, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, physiotherapy, orthopedics and, if necessary, other disciplines. The muscle diseases center of Koç University Hospital accordingly bases its mode of operation on a multidisciplinary foundation and offers high-quality service to individuals diagnosed with conditions involving muscles (e.g.: muscular dystrophy), neuromuscular junction (e.g.: myasthenia gravis), nerve ends (e.g.: polyneuropathy) and motor neurons (e.g.: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS). 

Epilepsy Surgery

Epilepsy surgery is among the treatment options provided to patients who are diagnosed with focal epilepsy, yet do not respond to medical treatment. These specific cases are evaluated by a specialized team consisting of an epileptologist, neurosurgeon, neuroradiologist, nuclear medicine specialist, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist and epilepsy nurse. Each patient go through cranial MRI, PET and ictal SPECT scans, if necessary, in accordance with the ‘epilepsy protocol’. After evaluations, some patients undergo epilepsy surgery, whereas others may need invasive EEG monitoring studies or cortical stimulations. Experience in advanced electrophysiology is essential for invasive EEG monitoring. Whether or not the epileptogenic focus partially or completely overlaps with the ‘eloquent cortex’ is observed through cortical stimulation. Aside from surgery, vagal nerve stimulator and ketogenic diet may also be   recommended for treatment of epilepsy.

Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia and Tremor

Patients with conditions causing movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and tremor are followed by experienced physicians specialized in this field at our clinic. Their treatments are configured in line with specific protocols, and if symptoms cannot be taken under control with treatment, eligibility for surgical intervention is assessed. The assessment is based on neuropsychological test results and detailed cranial MRI findings, which are reviewed at a council meeting held among a neurologist, neurosurgeon, psychiatrist and movement disorders nurse. Deep brain stimulation surgery is performed in collaboration with the Neurosurgery clinic on patients who are found to be eligible for surgery. Postoperative treatment is also configured by physicians specialized in these conditions. 
Patients with dystonia (focal or segmental) and migraine-type headache are treated with botulinum toxin.
Other notable treatment facilities and practices can be listed as follows: 

• Full-fledged electro-neurophysiology laboratories  Tam
• Epilepsy surgery council
• Multidisciplinary muscle diseases council
• Movement disorders council
• Neuroradiology council
• Muscle disease council
• Genetic investigation of neurodegenerative diseases, primarily muscle diseases and ataxias

 

Service Subcategories of Neurology

• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Video-EEG monitoring (VEM)
• Invasive EEG monitoring
• Botulinum toxin application in migraine and dystonia
• Battery calibration and long-term follow-up of patients who underwent deep brain stimulation surgery, Parkinson’s disease patients in particular
• Device-aided therapy for advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease patients
• Muscle Diseases Center
• Muscle biopsy and pathology
• Lumbar puncture (LP)