Department of neurology
The department of neurology covers diagnostics and treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including the respective musculature. A main focus of the department lies on cerebrovascular disorders (transient ischaemic attack, TIA, apoplectic stroke), which are treated in our acute stroke unit that is equipped with monitoring beds. The spectrum of treatment also covers all other neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, encephalosis, acute and chronic painful conditions of the nervous system, vertigo, acute disc prolaps, headaches, polyneuropathy and myopathy.
We are capable of transferring image data to the departments of neurosurgery and neurocardiology of the university hospital of Giessen which is extremely helpful, particularly in emergency cases. The department also provides polysomnography at our sleep laboratory (investigations of the depth of sleep, breathing and movement during sleep, simultaneous video recording) as well as sleep apnoea screening (investigation of breathing and snore).
We also offer injection therapy with botulinus toxin for patients suffering from neurological motor disturbances, spasticity and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) (cf consultation hours) as well as installation and stabilisation of mask respiration in case of neuromuscular impairment of respiration and sleep apnoea syndrome.(nasal continuous positive airway pressure, nCPAP).
Since 1999, we have been training up to two medical students in their practical year on the optional subject neurology. The two training positions are allocated by the medical faculty of the Justus LIebig University in Giessen. The training is completed with a state examination, held in Limburg. Medical students wanting to complete their clinical traineeship in the department are welcome after advance notification.
The department covers diagnostics and treatment of the following acute and chronic disorders:
- Cerebrovascular disorders – apoplectic stroke (acute cerebral infarction, temporary cerebrovascular insufficiency, brain haemorrhage, sinus thrombosis),
- Infectious diseases of the nervours system (meningitis, encephalitis, borreliosis),
- Epilepsy (seizure disorders),
- Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and other extapyramidal motor disturbances
- Multiple sclerosis,
- Encephalosis (ataxia, dementia, brain syndromes),
- Guillain-Barré syndrome and polyneuropathy,
- Neuromuscular disorders (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy and myopathy),
- Acute and chronic painful conditions of the nervous system (migraine, headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, lumbago etc.),
- Vertigo,
- Disorders of the peripheral nerve roots of the cervical and lumbal spine, acute disc prolaps,
- Neurological disorders of sleep and sleep apnoea syndrome.
Diagnostic equipment:
- Electroencephalograph (EEG, investigation of brain waves) including video recording,
- Electromyography and electroneurography (EMG, nerve conduction speed) – electric examination of the musculature and the peripheral nerves),
- Evoked potentials – visual (VEP), auditory (AEP), somatosensory (SEP), motor (MEP), cognitive (P300). (Measurement of conduction and reaction rate of pathways, brain and spinal chord),
- Polysomonography (analysis of sleep) at the sleep laboratory. (Investigations of the depth of sleep, breathing and movement during sleep, simultaneous video recording),
- Sleep apnoea screening (investigation of breathing and snore during the night),
- Extra- and transcranial Doppler and colour-coded duplex ultrasonography of the cerebrovascular system. Examination of brain perfusion, detection of microemboli, proof of rith-to-left shunts (rupture of the myocardial wall) by use of echo-contrast agents.
- Telemedical transfer of image data to the University Hospital of Giessen (departments of neurosurgery and neuroradiology) and video consultation,
- Lumbal puncture for the examination of the liquor cerebrospinalis, measurement of liquor pressure, diagnostic liquor pressure decompression on inpatient and semi-inpatient basis,
- Video documentation of neurological motor disturbances.
Further apparative diagnostics (CT, MRI, DSA, myelography, roentgen) as well as the required consultancy examinations are performed in other specialist departments of the St Vincenz hospital.
Main focuses:
Acute therapy of apoplectic stroke in the mulit-disciplinary acute stroke unit,
Botulinus toxin therapy (cf outpatient clinic consultation hours),
Stabilisation with non-invasive mask respiration in case of sleep apnoe syndrome and neuromuscular impairment of respiration.
Head physician
Christoph Oberwittler MD
Office:
Phone: +49.6431.292-4491
e-mail: c.oberwittler@st-vincenz.de professional development
Assistant medical directors
Stefan Klingebiel
Phone: +49.6431.292-4494
e-mail: s.klingebiel@st-vincenz.de
Raphael Friedl MD
Phone: +49.6431.292-4491
e-mail: r.friedl@st-vincenz.de
Office:
Christine Gersdorf
Phone: +49.6431.292-4491
Fax: +49.6431.292-4341
e-mail: c.gersdorf@st-vincenz.de
Wards:
Ward 1-2 (multi-disciplinary acute stroke unit)
Phone: +49.6431.292-1132
Senior nurse: Janette Welter,
deputy: Yvonne Pfeiffer
Doctor's room:
Phone: +49.6431.292-4323
e-mail: neuro12@st-vincenz.de
Ward E west
Phone: +49.6431.292-1033
Senior nurse:
Claudia Brühl
deputy:
Kati Schäfer-Schirrschmidt
EEG, evoked potentials:
Ms Petra Leimpek, Helga Winkler, Dagmar Sellent
1st floor, room 1.102
phone: +49.6431.292-4492
EMG:
1st floor, room 1.103,
phone: +49.6431.292-4493
Doppler / duplex ultrasonography:
1st floor
Phone: +49.6431.292-2101
