Pioneering Brain Surgeon Brings Exciting New Option to Parkinson's Disease Patients

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --One of the first known surgeons to offer Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as an outpatient treatment, Christopher Duma, MD, FACS, is bringing a new option and hope to the estimated 60,000 Americans diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease every year. The pioneering brain surgeon, who has successfully controlled tremors in thousands of movement disorder patients, is now performing his minimally invasive implantations at DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach. Patients can literally walk in, have the surgery and be home in time for dinner, with their quality of life improved exponentially. DISC's outpatient setting also means individualized attention, fewer complications and a dramatically reduced risk of infection.

With a marked improvement in 90% of cases, DBS is delivered by an implant that conducts a fine electrical impulse to particular parts of the brain. Wires are implanted in the brain and are connected to a device under the skin near the collar bone that regulates a continuous current. Despite being called 'stimulation' DBS actually shuts down areas of the brain that are causing the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Unlike medications that tend to have negative side effects over time, DBS has a positive record for minimal side effects, with most issues being corrected by turning off or adjusting stimulation levels.

"The ability to bring Deep Brain Stimulation to patients in an innovative outpatient setting like DISC is not only the natural progression of the technology, but also a safer, less daunting and more efficient option," said Duma in making the announcement. "I am already gratified every time I get the opportunity to stop symptoms in a Parkinson's patient. To do so with even less disruption of life, and such a high quality of care, is very exciting."

Established by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Robert S. Bray, Jr., DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach is a state-of-the-art facility accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) for providing the highest quality of standards and care as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. Today's news furthers Dr. Bray's commitment to leading-edge medicine by providing the most advanced minimally invasive treatments available.

"Dr. Duma is a truly talented brain surgeon who approaches his work like an artist. He also shares DISC's philosophy of creating a safe and an unmatched patient care experience by constantly pushing the boundaries with the use of minimally invasive technology. This is just one exciting advancement we're pleased to share, but you can count on more from Dr. Duma in the very near future."

Dr. Christopher Duma has been surgically managing movement disorders since 1987. He was formally trained in this subspecialty at the University of Pittsburgh during a one-year fellowship in 1990. His resume includes more than 250 pallidotomies or thalamotomies, 60 Gamma Knife thalamotomies, and numerous deep brain stimulator (DBS) implantations. In addition to DISC, his surgeries are performed at HOAG Hospital and South Coast Medical Center.

About DISC Sports & Spine CenterAs the official medical services provider for Red Bull's North American athletes, DISC Sports & Spine Center (DISC) is one of America's foremost providers of minimally invasive spine procedures and advanced arthroscopic techniques. Dr. Robert S. Bray, Jr. founded DISC with the vision of delivering an unparalleled patient experience for those suffering from sports injuries, orthopedic issues and spine disorders. DISC's individually picked, highly specialized physicians apply both established and innovative solutions to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate their patients in a one-stop, multi-disciplinary setting. With a wide range of specialists under one roof, the result is an unmatched continuity of care with more efficiency, less stress for the patient and a zero MRSA infection rate. DISC's ambulatory surgery centers include Diagnostic and Interventional Surgical Center and DISC Surgery Center at Newport Beach. For more information, contact DISC at 866.481.DISC or visit http://www.discmdgroup.com.

Press Contact:For DISC Sports & Spine CenterKristien Brada-Thompson, Priority PR 310-954-1375 x2 / Kristien@prioritypr.net

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Pioneering Brain Surgeon Brings Exciting New Option to Parkinson's Disease Patients