As a partner in IONM, we are your insurance policy against risk and the high cost of patient injury, even during the most complex procedures like spine surgery, brain surgery, cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, and general orthopedic surgery. You can rely on our expertise in IONM to reduce risk and help ensure patient safety.
What is Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM)?
During surgery, a patient can be at high risk for injury. Intraoperative neuromonitoring provides continual evaluation of their nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, during this time to protect the patient from any severe or long-term complications. Surgical Neurophysiologists assess the patient before operating to determine whether there is a need for IONM. If so, electrodes are placed on the patient to collect relevant data needed to communicate real-time issues with the surgeon.
Surgical Procedures Supported by SpecialtyCare
SpecialtyCare supports a wide variety of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) services, including:
SPINAL
- Anterior/Posterior Cervical
Removes a cervical herniated disc to alleviate pain caused by spinal cord or root pressure
- Anterior/Posterior Lumbosacral
Fuses two or more vertebrae into one long bone to reduce pain caused by motion
- Lateral Spine
Treats disc problems in the lower back
- Corpectomies
Removes all or part of the vertebral body to decompress the spinal cord and nerves
- Laminectomies
The back of one or more vertebrae is removed to allow access to the spinal cord or to relieve pressure on the nerves
- Positioning
- Spinal Cord Tumor Resection
Removes tumors on the spinal cord
- Scoliosis Correction
Realigns and fuses a curved vertebrae into a single, solid bone
- Tethered Cord Release
Reduces or removes the tissue that holds the spinal cord in place
ENT
- Acoustic Neuroma Resection
Removes as much as the acoustic neuroma (a noncancerous tumor) as possible while preserving important nerves that control critical functions of the body
- Parotidectomies
Removes a tumor formed on the parotid, which is a large salivary gland near the ear that can cause pain or discomfort when pressed on the facial nerve
CRANIAL
- Aneurysm Clipping
Treats an aneurysm, which is the weakening and bulging of an artery wall, by placing a metal clip across the base
- Epilepsy Procedures
Epilepsy causes seizures and this procedure removes the area of the brain that causes them
- Tumor Resection
Fully removes a tumor before chemotherapy or radiation
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Resection
AVM occurs when blood vessels that connect arteries and veins in the brain get tangled.
- Microvascular Decompression (MVD)
Alleviates cranial pressure by opening up the skull and inserting a sponge between the nerve and artery causing discomfort
CARDIOVASCULAR
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
Treats coronary artery disease by narrowing the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle
- Carotid Endarterectomy
Removes built-up plaque, which narrows the carotid artery
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)
An open-heart surgery where the portion of the aorta that causes an aneurysm is removed. An artificial graft is put in its place and the remaining pieces of the aorta are reattached to it.
- Correction of Coarctation
A narrowing portion of the aorta is removed and reconstructed to allow normal blood flow
- Laminectomies
The back of one or more vertebrae is removed to allow access to the spinal cord or to relieve pressure on the nerves
- Positioning
- Subclavian-carotid Bypass
Performed prior to an aneurysm repair to ensure adequate blood flow to the upper extremity if the subclavian bypass is covered
- Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)
A neck surgery that removes obstructive plaque from the inner lining of the carotid artery
ORTHOPEDICS
- Total joint
Removes damaged or arthritic joints and replaces them with a prosthesis, made up of metal, plastic, or ceramic
- Shoulder
Repairs various damages to the shoulder joint, including rotator cuff tears, dislocations, and separations
UROLOGY
- Radical Prostatectomy
Removes the prostate gland and surrounding tissues, which can cure prostate cancer in men if it’s limited to just the prostate
IONM at SpecialtyCare
SpecialtyCare is the largest provider of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) services in the nation, with 110,000 cases every year. Our people work alongside the world’s leading surgeons to help identify any early signs of neurological injury. Our surgical neurophysiologist clinicians are backed by a skilled team of IONM physicians, who provide additional support with real-time monitoring through telecommunication, enabling timely interventions to avoid long-term neural problems.