Memfys Hospital was first established in 2002 as a neurosurgical hospital before expanding into other medical specialties over time. Memfys Hospital is a leader in Neurosurgery in Nigeria and West Africa, providing a service that is outstanding under the leadership of Professor Ohaegbulam. Professor Samuel Ohaegbulam was honoured with the National Merit Award, the highest Order of Merit in Nigeria in 2012 by the President of Nigeria at that time Goodluck Jonathan for Intellectual Achievement in Neurosurgical Medicine. Memfys has a number of in-house Neurosurgery Consultants and Resident Doctors specialising in Neurosurgery.
Memfys Hospital offers neurosurgical services for patients with the following diseases and disorders:
Spine disorders often manifest as neck, back or waist pain, abnormalities of the hands and legs including weakness (paralysis), abnormal sensations, changes in the pattern and control of urination and defecation. Most spine diseases managed at memfys include spondylosis and other degenerative diseases of the neck, back and waist. Surgery for spinal cord injury, intervertebral disc prolapse, infections, spine tumours and conditions such as spinal scoliosis are also available. The hospital is also equipped for complex spine instrumentation surgeries.
Spinal injuries lead to paralysis of limbs and require urgent neurosurgical management.
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain. Brain tumours are either malignant (cancerous) or benign (do not contain cancer cells). Symptoms of brain tumours include headaches, seizures/convulsions/epilepsy, memory problems, changes in speech, impairment of vision, impairment of hearing, paralysis of hands or legs and some stroke-like manifestations.
Memfys offers both diagnostic services for brain tumours (including the use of CT and MRI scans) as well as neurosurgical treatments for brain tumours.
Epilepsy/Seizures/Convulsions
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes abnormal electrical discharges in the brain resulting in recurrent seizures over the long term. Medicines can control the symptoms. In some cases surgery may help control the seizures.
Neurovascular (brain and spinal cord blood vessel) diseases
Neurovascular diseases comprise of any abnormality of the blood vessels supplying the brain or spinal cord. These diseases commonly manifest suddenly and are often associated with stroke-like symptoms. Neurovascular diseases include brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, carotid artery diseases, intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Memfys has excellent radiological facilities for detailed study and investigation of such cases.
Peripheral nerve disorders
Peripheral nerves are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. There are many causes of peripheral nerve disorders including genetic, trauma, degenerative diseases or following infections. Examples of peripheral nerve disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome and Bell palsy. A wide array of symptoms may be experienced by the patient depending on the part of the body the nerve damage occurs. These symptoms include numbness, pain, burning or tingling and muscle weakness hence diagnosing peripheral nerve disorders can be difficult. Surgical and medical treatments for peripheral nerve disorders are available.
Strokes (see also Special Stroke Services)
During a stroke, brain cells die suddenly due to a lack of blood flow and oxygen. This may be caused by an obstruction of blood flow or the rupture of an artery that feeds the brain.
There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke occurs when there is interruption of blood flow to parts of the brain.
- Haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or when a defective artery in the brain bursts and fills the surrounding tissue with blood. Haemorrhagic strokes can be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure or rupture or aneurysms.
Aneurysms are abnormal blood-filled pouches that balloon out of weak spots in the wall of an artery.
Some haemorrhagic strokes benefit from neurosurgery.
Memfys offers medical and surgical treatment for stroke including a modern intensive care unit and the hospital’s High Dependency Unit (HDU) which assist in stroke rehabilitation.
Trauma to the head and spinal cord may result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, violence and sports. Traumatic injury can result in neurological impairments in the body including paralysis. The damage affects the nerve fibres passing through the injured area and may impair all or part of the corresponding muscles and nerves below the injury site. Types of traumatic head injury include epidural hematoma (blood clot between the skull and the dura), subdural hematoma (blood clot between the dura and the brain), skull fractures and brain concussion. Some head injuries may benefit from surgery.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a very painful condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. The trigerminal nerve that carries messages between the face and the brain. Treatments include medications, injections or surgery.
Paediatric neurosurgery/neurology
Our Neurologists and Neurosurgeons can diagnose and treat children with a range of disorders affecting the central nervous system including:
- Brain and spine tumours
- Brain vascular malformations
- Epilepsy
- Headaches
- Meningitis
- Head and spine traumas
- Migraines
- Other conditions leading to unconsciousness and paralysis in children
