41
An example of these services includes the
ability to mechanically remove a blood clot
lodged in a brain blood vessel using minimally-
invasive catheter technology.
In addition, Crimmins has expertise in
managing patients with neurological disease in
the intensive care setting and works closely
with the ICU team to optimize and personalize
treatment for each critically ill patient.
Neuromuscular Diseases Service
Dr. Jonathan Smith and Dr. Mark Landau have
subspecialty training in electrodiagnostic
neurophysiology
and
neuromuscular
disorders. They employ a variety of tests
including electromyography (EMG) and nerve
conduction tests (NCS) in the management of
their patients. They care for patients with
common and rare disorders that affect the
peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction
and muscles. Examples include peripheral
neuropathy, myasthenia gravis and many
others.
Opposite page:
Dr. Jonathan Smith
performs a nerve
conduction study on a
patient. Nerve conduction
studies, along with other
neurophysiology tests,
are used to diagnose
muscle and nerve
disorders.
Dr. Joseph Brown
discusses important
electroencephalographic
(EEG) findings that occur
in the brain of a patient
having a seizure. EEG is
an important tool that is
used to diagnose and
manage patients with
seizures and epilepsy.
43
Neuro-Ophthalmology Service
Neuro-ophthalmologists diagnose and treat a
wide variety of disorders affecting the visual
system that result from diseases of the
nervous system. They use special vision tests
as well as neuroimaging to help their patients
recover and preserve vision. Dr. Nathan Tagg
is
fellowship-trained
as
a
neuro-
ophthalmologist and works closely with
colleagues
in
ophthalmology
and
neurosurgery. Examples of some of the
conditions treated by neuro-ophthalmologists
are optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic
nerve), idiopathic intracranial hypertension
(IIH) and double vision.
Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Immunology
Service
Our understanding of how autoimmune
diseases affect the nervous system is rapidly
expanding and has resulted in many new
treatment options. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is
the most common autoimmune disease in this
category and is a significant cause of disability
in young people. The Walter Reed Bethesda
neuro-immunology service, led by Dr. Tagg,
offers a multi-disciplinary approach to caring
for patients with MS and other similar
conditions. We maintain a close working
relationship with other services, including
physical and occupational therapy, urology
and speech pathology to meet the needs of
our patients.
Neuro-Oncology Service
The neuro-oncology service is led by Dr. Brett
Theeler, who is a fellowship-trained neuro-
oncologist. He diagnoses and treats patients
with tumors that involve the brain, spinal cord
and peripheral nerves. He works closely with
colleagues in oncology and neurosurgery to
provide the most up-to-date care available.
The Walter Reed Bethesda neuro-oncology
service regularly collaborates with the
National Cancer Institute at the National
Institutes of Health to provide our patients
access to ground-breaking clinical trials.
Behavioral Neurology Service
Memory and cognitive disorders such as
Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia
are a major cause of disability in the elderly.
Walter Reed Bethesda neurologists have
expertise in the diagnosis and management of
patients with these disorders and work closely
with colleagues in neuropsychology and
psychiatry to form a multi-disciplinary care
team.
Pediatric Neurology
Our three pediatric neurologists, Dr. Willie
Young, Dr. Dave Dennison and Dr. Latanya
Agurs, have specialized training in the
diagnosis
and
treatment
of
pediatric
neurological diseases. They work closely with
other pediatric specialists (for example,
genetics and developmental pediatrics) in the
management of their patients. They perform a
range of procedures in their practice, including
epilepsy monitoring in the EMU, botulinum
toxin
injections
and
baclofen
pump
management. In addition, they employ the
services of other Department of Neurology
subspecialists as needed in the management
of their patients.
In addition to the above services, the Walter
Reed Bethesda Department of Neurology is
actively engaged in educating medical
students, interns, residents and fellows. It
supports three accredited post-graduate
training programs, including residency in adult
neurology, fellowship in neurophysiology and
fellowship in pediatric neurology. The
Department of Neurology maintains a close
working relationship with Uniformed Services
University, and many of our staff hold USU
faculty appointments.
We are also grateful to have US Navy
corpsmen, US Army medics, active duty and
civilian nurses, and civilian administrative
personnel as a vital part of our team.
Opposite page:
Dr. Michael Crimmins
supervises a cerebral
angiogram being
performed on a patient.
This test helps doctors
understand blood vessel
and blood flow disorders
of the brain.
Dr. Michael Crimmins
reviews a cerebral
angiogram.