Ascension St Vincents Riverside new technologies benefit brain and spine patients

Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside in Jacksonville, Florida, is now offering new technologies to benefit patients with brain and spine tumors. These technologies are used in procedures performed by Dr. Aristotelis Filippidis, a neurosurgeon with subspecialty in neurosurgical oncology.

“Our hospital is committed to providing our physicians with the best available technology to address their patients’ surgical and medical care needs,” said Scott Kashman, President & CEO of St. Vincent's Riverside. “These additions ensure we are among the premier neurosurgical institutes in the country, allowing our patients to receive this excellent care in their own community.” 

Surgery is rarely the first option, but if it is recommended as part of your care, experienced neurosurgeons at Ascension St. Vincent’s develop a specialized, advanced surgical treatment plan, personalized for you. Whenever possible, our neurosurgery care teams use minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted technology to help shorten your recovery time. From pre-surgery to your rehabilitation care, we connect the dots for you. And whether you’ll be recovering at home or in our hospital’s intensive care recovery unit, our care teams deliver comprehensive care for all your needs after a neurosurgical procedure.

New technologies that our patients can be treated with include:

• Advanced brain mapping and tractography: This tool helps your surgeon see important parts of your brain in real time, so they can avoid damaging parts of the brain during tumor removal.
• GammaTile: A small, stamp-sized device placed during surgery that delivers radiation right to the tumor site. It helps slow down tumor regrowth without delaying treatment.
• Gleolan: A special fluorescent dye that helps surgeons see a certain kind of brain tumor (called glioma) more clearly during surgery, so they can remove as much as possible.
• Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT): A laser-based procedure that uses heat to destroy brain tumors in hard-to-reach areas, without needing open surgery.
• VADER Screw System: Carbon fiber screws and rods used in spine surgeries for tumor patients. They don’t show up on scans, which makes it easier to see the area clearly for follow-up imaging and radiation planning.

“Our goal, as neurosurgeons, is to always provide the best treatment possible, with unique care plans developed for each individual patient,” said Dr. Filippidis. “These technologies help us deliver on that promise for every patient who trusts us with their care, reflecting our philosophy of minimal intervention with maximum outcomes. We combine expertise with these technologies to ensure patients with tumors from the greater Jacksonville area do not have to seek their care away from home anymore.”

When patients choose Ascension St. Vincent’s in Northeast Florida, you will find a team of doctors who specialize in neurological disorders that affect your brain, spine and nerves. Your neurologists and neurosurgeons work with a team of brain and spine specialists from across the country, sharing best practices, knowledge and research – bringing the best of our integrated national network of care, close to home. We have the expertise to help find the cause of your symptoms and deliver a personalized care plan.

Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside was named a Best Regional Hospital by the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospital Rankings for 2024-2025. St. Vincent’s was also named a top 15 health system in the country for 2024 by Fortune and PINC AI.

For more information on neurosurgery at St. Vincent’s Riverside, visit our website.