FAQs

How do I know if I am having a stroke?

Click here for the warning signs of stroke.

I am having trouble remembering things. Is this the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease?

Many people mistake memory loss related to normal aging for Alzheimer’s disease. However, normal aging memory loss does not develop into dramatic memory loss unless diseases are involved.

Alzheimer’s symptoms usually begin with memory problems, especially short-term memory. As time continues, patients become increasingly confused and disoriented. A variety of disorders including depression, vitamin deficiencies, hypothyroidism and chronic subdural hematoma can cause symptoms that mimic Alzheimer's. Symptoms may include

• Memory loss that affects job skills and daily life at home
• Significant problems with using and understanding language
• Confusion about time and place
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Personality changes, such as apathy and a tendency to withdraw from social situations
• Mood swings

What is the importance of treating the brain and spine together?

Brain and spine diseases and conditions are interrelated as together they form the central nervous system. One often affects the other. Combining brain and spine services offers the patient total treatment with specialists and sub-specialists working together for patient coordination and care. For example, a neurosurgeon and an oncologist can work together in order to provide the best treatment for the patient.

What is CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery?

CyberKnife is an entirely new approach to radiosurgery. It is the first and only robotic radiosurgery device that uses a linear accelerator mounted on a computer-controlled robotic arm to treat tumors in the head, neck, spine and areas throughout the body. Also, patients with “untreatable” or “unreachable” tumors by conventional radiation or surgery may benefit from this unique procedure.

Which conditions can be treated with CyberKnife?

CyberKnife can treat malignant and benign tumors and lesions throughout the body to include those that are difficult to reach and conditions such as vascular malformations and trigeminal neuralgia. It is used to treat brain lesions including pituitary tumors, meningiomas, metastatic tumors, gliomas and Vascular malformations such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Other applications include treatment of primary and metastatic tumors to the head, neck, spine and spinal cord and as a treatment for thoracic and abdominal tumors such as pancreatic tumors.

Which hospitals offer Cyberknife Treatment in Knoxville?

Cyberknife Stereotactic Radiosurgery at the University of Tennessee is the only CyberKnife system in Knoxville, Tenn.

Which rehabilitation services do you offer?

Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services including

• Audiology
• Balance Testing and Treatment
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Pediatric Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Work related injury treatment and prevention

Is a sleep study covered by my health insurance?

A key consideration may be insurance carrier reimbursement. Evaluations are ordered by your physician through the Cole Neuroscience Center at 305.6740. Doctors at the Sleep Center have training specific to sleep disorders. Many insurance carriers have special requirements before testing can begin. This also applies to treatment, which can become expensive.

Which types of neurodiagnostic studies do you perform?

The following are various neurodiagnostic studies available at UT Medical Center.

• Electroencephalograms (EEG)
• Evoked Potentials or Evoked Response (SER, VER or BAER)
• Electrodiagnostics including EMG and NCS
• Intraoperative Monitoring Service (IOM)

What is the Cole Neuroscience Center?

The Cole Neuroscience Center was developed for patients with a neurological disorder such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, movement or sleep problems and brings together hard-to-find services for these conditions.

What is Neurology?

Neurology is the scientific study of the nervous system including the brain.