The Maryland Institute for pelvic NeuroScience

NeuroScience is a combined discipline that continues to emerge as we approach the 21st Century. Essentially, it attempts to explore the complex interplay between biological, psychologic, social and cultural factors that impact any disease process. In addition, it examines the way that we “clinically correlate” and actually “study” disease. Tens of millions of people are affected by neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Not surprisingly, then, the research that goes into “NeuroScience” becomes a vital element in combating these conditions, especially in some of their more unusual presentations. Furthermore, it all goes toward the bigger picture of understanding some general baseline for what is as well as what is Not “normal”.

So, how do we make sense of all of this?? The simple answer is, that it is Not Easy.!! Here, one must take into account neuromusculare structure of the pelvis as well as the neuro-control aspects of its viscera. This is the essence of what is becoming known as “Pelvic NeuroScience”. It is an exquisitely small field that encompasses, Neuro-Urology, Pelvic Medicine and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

The aim of The Maryland Institute of Pelvic NeuroScience is to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment of all types of Neuromuscular disorders in the anatomic pelvis, with the emphasis on modern neuroscience. This is one of the most important aspects of what we do here because many of the pathologic neuromuscular processes that occur within the pelvis fall between the cracks of more generally accepted specialties such as Urology / Neurology / Urogynecology and Neurosurgery to become what many would consider as “orphan patients”. Nobody wants to see them because they either don’t think that they can help them, or, worst of all, they don’t think that they can be helped.!! It is in the midst of this Nebulous Confluence that The Maryland Institute of Pelvic NeuroScience lives and works.

The Maryland Institute for pelvic NeuroScience hopes to serve as an important resource for medical students residents and primary care physicians alike. The Institute and its resources will be available to all those wishing to understand specific neuromuscular issues in the anatomic pelvis which lead to clinical pathology and force this group of patients to seek medical attention.

Centers such as The Maryland Institute are the future of “site specific” clinical medicine. However, it also aims to encourage the initiation of neuroscience programs in places where these might not have existed previously. For this reason, we will be making our services available in more rural counties such as in southern Maryland and western Maryland. This will be done via satellite sites. The prominent position that Dr. Gordon has taken with respect to incorporating the academics of Pelvic NeuroScience into clinical medicine around the midatlantic region will allow this center to stay at the forefront and offer patients the latest in both diagnostic and interventional modalities.

Dr. Gordon, Dr, Long, (former chair of Neurosurgery at John’s Hopkin’s University) and Dr. Singh, with their team of clinical and research fellows embody their collective composition which drives the intention of this project to build high level sophisticated clinical sites to treat these most difficult patients. Furthermore, the development of this project recognizes the growing interest in pelvic neuroscience throughout the country.