Meet Stephen Andrew Johnson, MD
Dr. Stephen Andrew Johnson is a renowned neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of brain tumors and cranial nerve disorders. With a focus on providing comprehensive, patient-centered care, Dr. Johnson combines advanced technologies such as incisionless CyberKnife® Radiosurgery with minimally invasive techniques to deliver personalized, effective treatments. Whether performing intricate skull base tumor surgeries or treating complex facial pain, his commitment to precision, innovation, and collaboration ensures the best possible outcomes for his patients.
Facial Pain Referral Guidelines
Patient Profile & Diagnosis
A 65-year-old female patient presented with severe throat pain so debilitating that she stopped eating, resulting in significant weight loss. After other doctors were unable to determine the cause, Dr. Johnson reviewed her MRI and identified contact between a microscopic blood vessel and a cranial nerve. Every time the vessel pulsated, it triggered the nerve, sending excruciating pain signals to the brain.
Dr. Johnson diagnosed the patient with glossopharyngeal neuralgia, a rare cranial nerve compression syndrome that is frequently mistaken for dental issues or infections due to its subtle imaging. Known for causing extreme pain, it is sometimes referred to as “suicide disease.”
Surgical Approach
Dr. Johnson performed a microvascular decompression, a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The surgery involved creating a small incision, roughly the size of a quarter, through which the blood vessel was carefully repositioned away from the nerve using a microscope. To prevent future contact, a microscopic pillow was inserted between the vessel and the nerve.
Outcome
The surgery was a success, and the patient experienced immediate relief from the excruciating pain. By post-op day 1, she was enjoying a cheeseburger in the hospital before being discharged. At her first follow-up visit, she had regained weight and appeared much healthier. Follow-up images showed excellent cosmetic results, with minimal scarring at the incision site.
More Than a Surgeon
Comprehensive Care from Diagnosis to Recovery
At Atlantic Brain and Spine (ABS), we provide comprehensive care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. Dr. Johnson and our teams at the Glasser Brain Tumor Center and the ABS Facial Pain and Spasm Center take a collaborative approach to patient care. For brain tumor patients, post-operative care is seamlessly coordinated among a range of specialists. For facial pain, our multidisciplinary experts work together to diagnose the cause – whether dental, shingles, atypical, or vascular – to determine the right treatment modality and manage both treatment and medications. Referring physicians can trust that their patients are in expert hands at every stage of their journey with ABS.
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