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Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS is a pediatric neurosurgeon in Durham, NC specializing in pediatric neurosurgery and spine surgery. He graduated from Yale School of Medicine in 2010 and has 15 years of experience. Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS is affiliated with Duke Health and DUKE HEALTH INTEGRATED PRACTICE INC.
2301 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27710
3000 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27705
Hydrocephalus
Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.
Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.
In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.
Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS graduated from Yale School of Medicine in 2010. He completed residency at Children's Hospital Boston. He has a state license in Massachusetts.
Medical School: Yale School of Medicine (2010)
Residency: Children's Hospital Boston (2017)
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS appears to accept the following insurance providers: MedCost, Aetna Traditional Choice, Blue Advantage, Aetna Medicare PPO, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, CIGNA Open Access Plus, WellCare, AmeriHealth, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, AARP, CIGNA Open Access, United Healthcare PPO, Aetna, Aetna Workers' Compensation, TRICARE Prime, United Healthcare, TRICARE Prime Remote, Aetna Open Choice PPO, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, TRICARE, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Aetna HMO, Gateway Health Alliance, Duke Group Plans, *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan., Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA), *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan., Duke Basic, Ambetter, Experience Health, Blue Select, Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*, Healthy Blue, All Savers Fully Insured, First Medicare Direct, Carolina Complete Health, Healthgram, All Savers Alternate Funding, Duke Select, NC State Employees Health Plan, Ambetter of North Carolina and United Medical Resources (UMR).
According to our sources, Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 84 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS from all over the web to help you find the right in Durham, NC.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$208
Orthopedics $208 |
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$79
ClearPoint System $79 |
| $208 | |
| $79 |
Dr. Matthew Lepore Vestal, MD, MBA, MHS has received 24 research payments totaling $328,488.
Dr. Matthew Vestal's areas of specialization are spine surgery and pediatric neurosurgery; he sees patients in Durham, NC. He graduated from Yale School of Medicine and then he performed his residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Children's Hospital Boston. Dr. Vestal's clinical interests include neurosurgery, chiari malformation, and hydrocephalus. He has a 5.0 out of 5 star average patient rating. He usually honors Blue California, CIGNA Plans, and TRICARE, in addition to other insurance carriers. In addition to English, Dr. Vestal speaks Spanish. He is professionally affiliated with Duke Health. According to Duke Health, new patients are welcome to contact his office in Durham, NC.
