For more information call 504-349-6396.

In the video below, Dr. Toomer discusses spasticity and one treatment option.

Dr. Moises Arriaga

Neurotologist Moises Arriaga, M.D. will join the staff of Culicchia Neurological Clinic as director of the newly established CNC Hearing and Balance Center for the diagnosis and treatment of hearing, balance, cranial base tumors and neurological disorders of the ear.

A native New Orleanian, Dr. Arriaga treats acoustic neuromas, balance disorders, dizziness, ear trauma, hearing loss, skull base tumors, tinnitus, Meniere’s Disease, otitis media-ear infection, otosclerosis, facial nerve problems, and vertigo. He is also the Director of Otology – Neurotology and Professor of Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery at Louisiana State University.

“Twenty-seven percent of Americans suffer from hearing and balance disorders. Forty percent will suffer from balance disorders severe enough to see a physician,” said Frank Culicchia M.D., medical director of Culicchia Neurological Clinic. “Having a world-class physician like Dr. Arriaga on our staff adds depth to our practice and is a wonderful addition to our healthcare community.”

Dr. Arriaga frequently lectures nationally and internationally teaching state-of-the-art ear surgery to students and practicing physicians. He has published over 130 articles and co-edited 5 textbooks.

Because of the depth of the Culicchia Clinic’s neurological and neurosurgical staff, Dr. Arriaga is able to rely on a unique, in-house, multidisciplinary approach to treatment utilizing neurotology, neurology, audiology, vestibular therapies and neurosurgery as needed.

He received his medical degree from Brown University Medical School. He is board certified in otolaryngology and neurotology.

Appointments can be made by calling the CNC Hearing and Balance Center: 504-934-8320.

Frightened, Cheryl got an appointment with neurosurgeon Frank Culicchia M.D. of Culicchia Neurological Clinic,  who immediately put her at ease.  Cheryl was suffering from a meningioma, a benign tumor of the covering of the brain. The tumor was causing symptoms by exerting pressure on surrounding structures. These tumors can become very large, and in some cases, can be severely disabling and even life- threatening.

Dr. Culicchia scheduled Cheryl for surgery to remove the tumor. The procedure was successful and Cheryl was back home within days. Watch her story.

Needless to say, a disease like multiple sclerosis can cause significant disability. and this was the case several years ago when no treatment options were available.  However, with the introduction of FDA approved therapies, like the interferons and glatiramer acetate, options became available to reduce the number attacks or relapses and thus limit disability.

“It used to be that we were only able to treat acute attacks with some success and were unable to reduce the number of attacks or relapses.  Now with 6 different FDA-approved therapies for multiple sclerosis, disability can be successfully limited and relapses reduced  if treatment is started early in the course of the disease,” says Neurologist Enrique Segura of Culicchia Neurological Clinic.

The treatment of MS is not only geared towards slowing the progression of the disease but also towards treating some of the secondary or residual symptoms such as spasticity (increased muscle tone), fatigue, pain, bladder incontinence and cognitive impairments.

“By offering physical therapy at our Clinic, patients can receive treatment either before or after their appointment with their physician. It is a convenient and necessary addition to our neuro-offerings, which already includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, interventional neuro-radiologists and pain management and rehabilitation specialists,” said Frank Culicchia, MD, medical director of Culicchia Neurological Clinic.

Carrie received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University School of Medicine. Her specialized training includes certification in Neuro-Developmental Treatment of Adults with Hemiplegia and certification as a Brain Injury Specialist.

She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Louisiana Physical Therapy Association (LPTA), Neurology Section of the APTA, Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS), and the Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association (NDTA).

In an extremely complex and delicate surgery, Neurosurgeon Frank Culicchia, MD removed the tumor by accessing the brain through a sall incision in the upper lip. Ten months after the surgery, Sharon Beckwith says she’s gotten her life back and is grateful that she was able to undergo the complicated neurosurgery right here in New Orleans.

The teamwork of a neurosurgeon from the LSU department of neurosurgery and Charles Fiore, M.D., a neurologist at Culicchia Neurological Clinic  can help people with PD decide when deep brain stimulation makes sense for them – and if it does, the duo work together with the patient to control PD symptoms after the surgery.

“Deep brain stimulation is a procedure where we can implant small electrode wires within areas of the brain to control movement disorder problems,” explains neurosurgeon Erich  Richter, M.D., Associate Director of the Epilepsy Center of Excellence at LSU .

Dr. Richter and Charles Fiore, M.D., are a formidable force against the ravages of PD. Dr. Richter, a neurosurgeon, specializes in implanting the equipment for deep brain stimulation, while neurologist Dr. Fiore oversees the medical management of the disease.

“Together, Drs. Richter and Fiore manage complex cases involving movement disorders including placement of deep brain
stimulators. Dr. Richter is fellowship trained in the placement of deep brain stimulators and by working closely with Dr. Fiore,
they can offer cutting-edge care for Parkinson’s, epilepsy and other conditions,” says Frank Culicchia, M.D., Medical Director
of Culicchia Neurological Clinic and Chairman of Neurosurgery at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

“The time to think about putting the stimulator in is when patients are ceasing to have satisfactory improvement of their
symptoms with medication alone, or even earlier when they want to discuss the possibility of having one put in further
down the line,” explains Dr. Fiore.