What We Offer

Our general neurological consultations are also available to patients without a referral or who have not been sent for a specialist consultation. Whatever the problem is, each of our patients is always in the care of skilled specialists with many years of experience working as head or senior physicians. In complex clinical cases, the goal is to reach an accurate, detailed diagnosis by incorporating the extensive expertise each of our specialists have in their respective fields. As a state-of-the art center of neurology and neurosurgery, we meet the highest medical standards and treat patients across all disciplines and based on the latest scientific standards.

Supplementary diagnostics

• Electroneurography (ENMG)
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Evoked potential (EP)
• Neuroangiology (Doppler/duplex)
• Lumbar puncture
• Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM)

The peripheral nervous system includes all nerves running throughout the body. Polyneuropathies (PNP) are a set of common disorders that may occur for a variety of reasons and can affect multiple peripheral nerves simultaneously (peripher = at the edges, poly = many). Damage to the peripheral nerves can take many forms: pain, burning, numbness, discomfort, tingling, paresis in the muscles supplied by the nerve, and skin changes.

During our special polyneuropathy consultations, we document the patient’s detailed medical history and complete a thorough examination. Electrophysiology examinations, such as electroneurography (ENG), electromyography (EMG) and evoked potentials (EP) make it possible to diagnose the type of distribution and damage (axonal vs. demyelinating). The extent of muscle damage (denervation) can be determined. Lab tests are carried out to identify the main treatable causes of the polyneuropathy. If necessary, medical imaging, such as nerve ultrasound and occasionally computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used.

Focus areas of polyneuropathy consultations

• Polyneuropathies caused by hormone and metabolic disorders. This group includes diabetes, thyroid diseases, kidney diseases and vitamin deficiencies (B1, B2, B6, B12, E).
• Inflammatory polyneuropathies: viral, bacterial, autoimmune diseases (e.g. HIV, borreliosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome).
• Polyneuropathies caused by medications, alcohol and environmental toxins (e.g. cancer drugs, metals, such as arsenic and lead, organic phosphorus compounds).
• There are several genetically related forms of polyneuropathy.
• In at least a third of cases, it is not possible to identify a cause, and the patient receives symptomatic treatment.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) and other myasthenic syndromes are related to a disorder affecting neuromuscular impulse transmission. MG is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies and the immune system destroy the structures required for signal transmission between the nerves and muscles.

Typical symptoms are weakness and rapid fatigability of certain muscle groups. Depending on the affected muscle group, MG causes drooping eyelids and double vision (ocular MG). Problems swallowing or speaking, trouble breathing, weakness and rapid fatigability of the arm and leg muscles are typical symptoms of generalized MG.

Depending on the extent and course of the disorder, MG patients may experience serious impairments. Due to its broad range of symptoms and creeping progression, it is often difficult to diagnose the disease.

Focuses of the specialist myasthenia consultation

Beginning treatment as early as possible can slow or even stop the progression of the disease. However, any long-term drug-based immunosuppressive therapy that may be necessary requires Dr. K Scheglmann’s special expertise gained throughout his more than twenty years of experience heading a large myasthenia clinic. He also consults patients with the rare Lambert-Eaton syndrome and other myasthenic syndromes.

• Myasthenia gravis
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• Congenital myasthenic syndromes
• Drug-induced myasthenic syndromes

Circumscribed damage to peripheral nerves is very common. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, is one of the most common disorders and causes sufferers to lose sleep due to the painful tingling sensations during the night. The cause is a pinched nerve in the wrist. Compression syndromes in other places, however, as well as inflammatory nerve damage can also cause pain, discomfort, and paresis. The consultations also focus on the treatment of nerve injuries in cooperation with nerve surgeons, hand and plastic surgeons. In addition to many years of clinical expertise, it has become indispensable for diagnoses to use the methods of clinical neurophysiology, with a focus on electromyography and neurography, as well high-resolution ultrasound examinations on the nerve and state-of-the-art diagnostics. Dr. K. Scheglmann, who has worked for more than 30 years as an expert in neurophysiology and who was one of the first to use ultrasound diagnostics to examine nerves, has been offering his experience to these patients in the specialist consultations for many years in cooperation with Dr. Jan Drackle.

Consultations focus on the peripheral nervous system:

• Second opinions in cases where nerve damage is not clear
• Rare compression syndromes: Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Supinator syndrome, tarsal tunnel, etc.
• Focal immune neuropathy, Lewis Sumner syndrome, multifocal motor neuropathies, etc.
• Benign and malignant nerve tumors
• Nerve injuries, brachial plexus injuries
• Radicular lesions
• Nerve damage in the groin and pelvic floor region, pudendal neuralgia
• Neuropathy in intensive care medicine

Our specialized back pain consultations provide comprehensive neurological diagnostics carried out by specialists. A neurological examination is urgently required, particularly in cases of back pain accompanied by sensory disturbances, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness, or paresis in the arms and legs. There are many reasons for back pain. These are often a combination of complex disorders that seriously interfere with a person’s quality of life. This is why an exact diagnosis is the most important step in successful treatment.

Special back pain consultations

• Comprehensive neurological examination
• Interdisciplinary evaluations
• Comprehensive diagnostics: Electroneurography (ENG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Intraoperative neuromonitoring during procedures on the spine

Our special headache consultations provide individual advice from experienced neurologists. The spectrum of our diagnostics and treatment methods is geared towards patients who experience frequent headaches, such as tension headaches and migraines as well as patients with hard-to-diagnose and rare types of headaches. Emergency patients who are experiencing unusual headaches can be examined on the same day by arrangement when possible.

Special headache consultations

• Sophisticated and comprehensive diagnostics, taking into account the person’s individual life situation
• Treatment, monitoring progress of therapy
• Treatment of migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches
• Laboratory tests to identify other possible disorders
• Suspected tumors, cerebral hemorrhages or injuries: Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations

During our specialist epilepsy consultations, we examine patients who have a tentative or established epilepsy diagnosis. Thanks to our many years of experience, we offer comprehensive diagnostics and care to help every patient get the best possible treatment. The focus is on clinical epilepsy care, seizure management, tolerability of the treatment and the individual living situation of the epilepsy patients, e.g. job, education/training, fitness to drive a car, the desire to have children and pregnancy.

Epilepsy consultations

• Diagnostics, advice and ongoing care
• EEG and outpatient EEG following sleep deprivation
• Fitness to drive assessments
• Counseling and care for pregnant women with epilepsy
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in cases of drug-resistant epilepsy
• Neuropsychological diagnostics
• Cranial MRI and other specialized imaging of the brain are performed in cooperation with the Department of Neuroradiology of Hirslanden Klinik Zurich
• Second opinions

We have a special focus on the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunological diseases. Our innovative diagnostics and treatment plans for multiple sclerosis are based on many years of experience and the latest medical research. Our highly qualified specialists have acquired expertise in Switzerland and abroad and are very familiar with the special needs and anxieties of MS patients.

Special MS outpatient clinic

• Consultations, diagnostics and therapy
• Full range of diagnostics – can be performed on a single day: clinical neurological examination, MRI, lumbar puncture, blood samples and evoked potentials
• Participation in clinical trials in partnership with the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Basel
• Second opinion consultations

MS infusion station

• Outpatient emergency care for symptomatic flare-ups with intravenous cortisone
• Outpatient escalation therapy for particularly active forms of MS with constant monitoring by a neurologist experienced in the treatment of MS.
• Intravenous treatments (e.g. with monoclonal antibodies)
• Inpatient diagnostics and treatment at Hirslanden Klinik Zurich when necessary

MS patients without a letter of referral can also schedule an appointment directly at our specialist outpatient clinic by calling +41 44 295 30 45.

A stroke is an emergency in which every second counts. In case of emergency, call the emergency number by dialing 144.

During a stroke consultation, our specialists will assess the risk and possibilities for neurorehabilitation, or stroke aftercare. What is most important is to identify and minimize risks. Our diagnostics incorporate many years of clinical and university experience, the latest technology and our knowledge from managing stroke centers. Diagnostics and treatment are carried out by certified experts.

Stroke consultations

• Risk evaluation
• Improving the prevention, treatment and prognosis for patients
• Prompt examination following a mini stroke (ideally within 48 hours)
• Ultrasound examination of the vessels supplying the brain (Doppler/duplex)
• Comprehensive diagnostics: Ultrasound, imaging and cardiology examinations, in certain cases special laboratory tests
• Interdisciplinary competency in neurology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology
• Second opinions

Neuroangiological consultations

• Advice and consultations for patients following a stroke or after a transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Neurorehabilitation

Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht AG is Switzerland’s largest clinic dedicated exclusively to neurorehabilitation. For over 25 years, it has specialized in reintegrating people with brain and nerve injuries into everyday life. An important part of our clinic is the Parkinson’s center, which is also recognized outside of Switzerland.

Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht AG opened its outpatient clinic for neurorehabilitation and Parkinson’s at NeuroCentre Bellevue on September 1, 2013, so that the clinic could also offer a location in Zurich to address all questions relating to neurorehabilitation following strokes, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and all other neurological conditions.

The clinic is managed personally by the senior consultant of Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, Dr. med. Daniel Zutter, the Head of the Parkinson’s Center, Dr. med. Matthias Oechsner, and the Research Director of Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, Prof. Dr. med. Carsten Möller. Dr. Zutter is an FMH-certified specialist in neurology and internal medicine and has spent around 15 years working in the field of neurorehabilitation in Switzerland and abroad. Dr. Oechsner and Prof. Möller are among the leading Parkinson’s specialists in Switzerland and have more than 20 years of experience in optimizing drug treatments for Parkinson’s and rehabilitation methods. All three doctors belong to the expert advisory board of Parkinson Schweiz.

More information about Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht.

Our dystonia consultations are focused on treating patients with movement disorders, e.g. wry neck (torticollis) or excessive blinking (blepharospasm) as well as spasticity (e.g. after a stroke). Chronic migraines can also be treated with Bot.Tox. Through a targeted inhibition of hyperactive muscle groups with Bot.Tox, the goal of treatment is to stabilize the movement disorder and correct of the abnormality. This often improves functioning, alleviates pain or reduces needs for special care.

The first step during the consultation is to perform a detailed documentation of the patient’s medical history and a close examination. The medication itself is injected by a doctor specially trained in the procedure and usually accompanied by EMG monitoring to ensure the effective targeting of the desired muscle. The effect of Bot.Tox lasts approximately three months.

During our specialist neuropsychology consultations, we provide examinations and treatment for patients with brain disorders and disabilities. These might occur, for instance, after a stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, tumor disease or in conjunction with inflammatory and cerebral atrophy processes (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, dementia).

Neuropsychology consultations

• Comprehensive neuropsychological diagnostics
• Examination of the type, severity and course of cognitive deficits
• Diagnosis of dementia
• Assessment of a person’s ability to work in their established occupation
• Explanation of impairments and functional disorders for unknown neurological disorders
• For youth in particular: assessing prospects for education and training
• Assessing the need for IV measures
• Assessing the impact on a person’s fitness to drive
• Treating and monitoring through specific treatment options