New Clinic Treats Rare Neurological Disorder

Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the Siteman Cancer Center and the Washington University Neuro-fibromatosis Center have opened the only program in the Midwest specializing in the clinical care of patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)—a genetic disorder affecting only one in 40,000 people worldwide.

Washington University’s comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center, under the direction of David Gutmann, MD, PhD, is a collective of clinicians and laboratory scientists focused on accelerating the pace of scientific discovery and its application to the care of individuals with NF. The new program adds to the center’s reach.

One of the most frustrating aspects of NF2 is its variation among individuals, even in members of the same family. In general, most individuals with NF2 experience their first symptoms— often hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and balance problems—during the late teenage years or early 20s.

Washington University neurosurgeon Michael Chicoine, MD, and Washington University otolaryngologist Timothy Hullar, MD, co- directors of the NF2 clinical program, have a collective experience in treating large numbers of patients with this uncommon disease, and helped assemble a dedicated, multidisciplinary group of physicians and other health care professionals to coordinate comprehensive patient assessment and treatment.

Washington University’s extensive research facilities and clinical experience make it highly qualified to provide the specialized care required by many NF2 patients, such as the use of chemotherapeutic agents to arrest the growth of tumors or to reduce their size and cochlear implantation to preserve or restore hearing.

The Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center builds upon a long tradition of leadership in clinical care and research for patients with acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke as well aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.