Neuroscience
The excruciating pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can be so bad that it can often keep individuals from working or participating in any sort of social life, making them prisoners of their pain.
Billie Jean (BJ) Caperelli of Doylestown, Pa., suffered for more than 10 years, with many unsuccessful attempts to get rid of the pain. It wasn’t until she came to Penn Medicine to receive a specialized surgery that she got relief.
This spring, she underwent surgery, a fully endoscopic microvascular decompression (E-MVD), at Pennsylvania Hospital performed by John Y.K. Lee, MD, an associate professor of Neurosurgery and director of the Penn Center for Cranial Nerve Disorders.
Dr. Lee performed the intricate skull-base surgery using an endoscope that is only one tenth of an inch wide, accessing the base of the trigeminal nerve via a one centimeter opening behind Caperelli’s ear.
Caperelli has been pain-free since the surgery, and is hoping for very long-lasting relief. She is grateful to have found Dr. Lee and his team.
Check out Billie Jean’s full story
- Online Neurological Diagnosis
The Trigeminal Neuralgia Diagnostic Questionnaire uses a neural net to diagnose forms of the "suicide disease," a neurological disorder characterized by facial pain so severe patients beg to be killed. An accurate diagnosis means patients can more quickly...
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Each year, Philadelphia magazine recognizes the area’s outstanding doctors in their Top Doctors issue. The list is viewed as a “gold standard for those seeking the finest medical care in the Philadelphia area.” We are pleased to announce that five...
- Five Surgeons From Penn Neurosurgery Earn 'top Doc' Honors
Each year, Philadelphia magazine recognizes the area’s outstanding doctors in their Top Doctors issue. The list is viewed as a “gold standard for those seeking the finest medical care in the Philadelphia area.” We are pleased to announce that five...
- Penn Neurosurgery Hosts Neuro-oncology And Skull Base Course
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- Dr. Lee Receives Grant To Advance Minimally-invasive Endoscopic Techniques
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Neuroscience
Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Patient’s Story
The excruciating pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can be so bad that it can often keep individuals from working or participating in any sort of social life, making them prisoners of their pain.
Billie Jean (BJ) Caperelli of Doylestown, Pa., suffered for more than 10 years, with many unsuccessful attempts to get rid of the pain. It wasn’t until she came to Penn Medicine to receive a specialized surgery that she got relief.
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| John Y. K. Lee, MD |
Dr. Lee performed the intricate skull-base surgery using an endoscope that is only one tenth of an inch wide, accessing the base of the trigeminal nerve via a one centimeter opening behind Caperelli’s ear.
Caperelli has been pain-free since the surgery, and is hoping for very long-lasting relief. She is grateful to have found Dr. Lee and his team.
Check out Billie Jean’s full story
- Online Neurological Diagnosis
The Trigeminal Neuralgia Diagnostic Questionnaire uses a neural net to diagnose forms of the "suicide disease," a neurological disorder characterized by facial pain so severe patients beg to be killed. An accurate diagnosis means patients can more quickly...
- Five Surgeons From Penn Neurosurgery Earn 'top Doc' Honors
Each year, Philadelphia magazine recognizes the area’s outstanding doctors in their Top Doctors issue. The list is viewed as a “gold standard for those seeking the finest medical care in the Philadelphia area.” We are pleased to announce that five...
- Five Surgeons From Penn Neurosurgery Earn 'top Doc' Honors
Each year, Philadelphia magazine recognizes the area’s outstanding doctors in their Top Doctors issue. The list is viewed as a “gold standard for those seeking the finest medical care in the Philadelphia area.” We are pleased to announce that five...
- Penn Neurosurgery Hosts Neuro-oncology And Skull Base Course
This past weekend, Penn Neurosurgery hosted a comprehensive three-day continuing medical education (CME) program in Neuro-Oncology and Skull Base Surgery. The course focused on advances and innovative treatment of gliomas and brain metastasis, the use...
- Dr. Lee Receives Grant To Advance Minimally-invasive Endoscopic Techniques
John Y.K. Lee, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery at Penn Medicine, has received a grant from Karl Storz, an international manufacturer of endoscopic equipment. This grant provides Penn Neurosurgery with access to state-of-the-art endoscopes, high-definition...