Comprehensive, coordinated neurological services in Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth Regional Hospital is the Seacoast Region’s leader in neurological care. With the area’s only neurosurgery group, we offer the most advanced services to protect our community’s neurological health and well-being.

Our interventional neurologists and neurosurgeons provide world-class care to our patients with neurological disorders and our comprehensive, coordinated services are tailored to meet your unique needs. We treat your whole person — not just your neurological condition.

We have the Seacoast Region’s only neurosurgery group, and our surgeons use innovative, cutting-edge tools and technology to treat previously inoperable neurological conditions.

Neurological conditions we treat

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons offer treatment for a variety of neurological conditions, including:

Advanced brain imaging and diagnostics

We also lead the region with the most advanced imaging equipment available for neurological care. Not only do we have the Seacoast Region’s only neurology ultrasound equipment dedicated to emergency care, but our interventional neurologists use other state-of-the-art technologies to quickly deliver the most accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Imaging services

  • Computed tomography (CT) angiography watches the blood flow through the body and identifies any narrow areas that must be addressed.
  • High-density magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scanning capture detailed pictures of a tumor, stroke, injury, nerves, arteries and blood vessels to improve treatment and protect healthy tissues and function.
  • Intraoperative robotic 2D and 3D imaging allows for the precise placement of delicate hardware during the most difficult operative cases.

Diagnostic testing

Our interventional neurologists may recommend additional diagnostic tests based on your imaging results, physical exam, medical history and any other screening or testing.

  • Electroencephalograms (EEG) identify electrical activity problems associated with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, chronic migraines, sleep issues, balance disorder, or post-concussion syndrome.
  • Electromyography (EMG), also called a myogram, checks muscle and nerve health to pinpoint any loss of muscle strength.
  • Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) evaluates electrical signal speed to detect any nerve damage or destruction, as well as muscle or nerve diseases, such as myasthenia gravis.

Advanced stroke care

As the first Comprehensive Stroke Center in the state, and still just one of two such facilities in New Hampshire, we provide high-quality care for the most complex stroke cases to achieve the best-possible patient outcomes.

Alongside our expert emergency care, our Neuro Day Rehabilitation program provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and recovery options for stroke survivors.

Brain Aneurysm Clinic

It is estimated that 1 in 50 people or 6.8 million people in the United States have an unruptured cerebral (brain) aneurysm. A brain aneurysm is a life altering diagnosis; however, with the changes in technology, they can be treated through a minimally invasive approach. There are multiple treatment options but it depends on the brain aneurysm location, size, characteristics, and other risk factors to keep it from rupturing. If a brain aneurysm ruptures, it causes bleeding in the brain known as a hemorrhagic stroke and quickly becomes life threatening requiring emergent medical treatment.

The Brain Aneurysm Clinic is one of many specialties provided by the Neuroscience team at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Serving patients throughout New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and Northern Massachusetts, our interventional neuroradiologists diagnose, treat, and manage patients with brain aneurysms.

Our services include several minimally invasive endovascular treatments using cutting-edge technology and an experienced team for ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms, as well as other procedures for vascular-related conditions.

For patient appointments at the brain aneurysm clinic, call(603) 433-4857.

Other brain aneurysm clinic services

  • Brain aneurysm surveillance and screening program: Non-invasive monitoring for patients with brain aneurysm and family members with familial history.
  • Cerebral angiography: Diagnoses blood vessel abnormalities including brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, arthrosclerosis, and other cerebral vascular conditions.
  • Coil embolization: Small platinum coils are inserted through catheters to fill the aneurysm to prevent it from rupturing.
  • Flow diversion stent: A catheter is inserted into the blood vessel and a stent is deployed to divert the flow of blood away from the aneurysm. Over time, the aneurysm decreases in size and new cells grow on the stent, sealing the aneurysm.
  • WEB device: An intrasaccular basket-like device that is deployed into the aneurysm.

Our team also specializes in several endovascular procedures including:

  • Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
  • Dural fistula embolization
  • Carotid/vertebral arterial stenosis
  • Chronic subdural hematomas
  • Facial vascular malformation
  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
  • Intracranial arterial stenosis
  • Spinal vascular conditions

Ajit Puri, MD
Neuro Interventional Radiologist

Jasmeet Singh, MD
Neuro Interventional Radiologist

Maddie Dalgliesh, APRN

Kara Gilligan, APRN

Brain Aneurysm Clinic at Portsmouth Regional Hospital

333 Borthwick Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801

(603) 433-4857


Migraine and headache care

Our Center for Rehabilitation & Wellness focuses on improving your quality of life through prevention, treatment and pain management for migraine and chronic headaches. We treat many types of headaches, including tension, sinus, rebound, cluster and migraine. Our goals are to:

  • Identify triggers and reduce risks
  • Anticipate headaches so you can take preventive action
  • Reduce headache frequency and severity

Using the latest research, we design diagnostic and treatment options tailored to your unique needs. We offer lifestyle adjustments, medication, physical therapy, injection referrals and whole-person care services. Additionally, we help you develop pain management techniques.

Chronic headache

Persistent headaches or unusual migraine symptoms require medical attention. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience:

  • Changes in symptoms leading to a migraine
  • Headache caused by coughing, sneezing, bending over or having sex
  • Headache that does not improve with over-the-counter medication or requires pain relievers more than two days a week
  • Headache that lingers or begins after head injury or other trauma
  • Headache that appears suddenly, lingers, gets worse, or interferes with your daily activities
  • Headache with any new symptoms, including confusion, dizziness, fever, numbness, persistent vomiting, shortness of breath, slurred speech, stiff neck, persistent diarrhea, vision loss, weakness, or unexpected ear, nose, or throat symptoms
  • More than one occasional headache

Seek immediate attention or go to the emergency room if:

  • You’re experiencing your worst migraine ever
  • Your headache lingers with vision loss, uncontrolled vomiting, or loss of consciousness
  • Your headache lingers for 72 hours with fewer than four pain-free hours
  • Your symptoms are unusual or frightening

Motion disorders care

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

DBS reduces tremors and involuntary movements in people who have motion disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia and multiple sclerosis. This treatment offers improvement without damaging brain tissue.

We are the only hospital in the Seacoast Region — and one of two in New Hampshire — to offer DBS treatment.

How does DBS work?

Before surgery, our doctors use CT or MRI scans to pinpoint the exact locations in your brain where electrical nerve signals trigger your tremors. Before treatment, one of our neurosurgeons will implant a neurostimulator (a battery-powered medical device like a pacemaker) into your chest.

Once implanted, the device is programmed. Through wire electrodes, it delivers electrical stimulation to those specific areas of your brain to block abnormal, tremor-causing nerve signals. As your condition changes, we can adjust the level of stimulation.

Is DBS treatment right for me?

DBS, while effective, isn’t for everyone. If you’re interested, talk with your doctor about possible risks.

DBS is approved for patients who don’t experience symptom improvement with medication. Many people see significant symptom reduction with DBS, but most people still need some medication, though in lower doses, which can reduce the incidence of medication side effects.

On average, with DBS and medication, patients experience five or more symptom-free hours daily

Spine care

Our spine care team is committed to providing the highest quality services to restore your health and quality of life. We evaluate your overall health and lifestyle to recommend the safest and most appropriate treatment options.

We treat a wide range of back and spine conditions, including:

  • Bone spurs
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated discs
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis and kyphosis
  • Spinal stenosis and myelopathy
  • Spinal tumors and cancer
  • Spine fractures
  • Spine infections
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Sports injuries

Neurosurgery and neurovascular surgery

Our spine surgeons are Seacoast Region leaders who use state-of-the-art surgical techniques to stabilize joints, decompress pinched nerves, fuse bones and correct abnormalities. Our spinal surgeries include:

  • Discectomy/microdiscectomy: Removal of disc or cushion between vertebrae
  • Disc replacement: Replacement of damaged disc with an artificial one
  • Foraminotomy: Bone or tissue removal to open the space where nerves leave the spinal canal
  • Kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty: Treatment of spinal fractures to reduce pain and restore height
  • Laminectomy or laminotomy: Removal of part of the backbone covering the spinal canal to relieve pressure on spinal nerves
  • Spinal cord fusion: Surgical implantation of a pain pump to block pain messages to the brain
  • Spinal fusion: Joining of two vertebrae with bone grafts or implants to increase spine stability

Nonsurgical treatment

We also offer many nonsurgical and minimally invasive spine treatments, including:

  • Integrative services
  • Interventional spine procedures
  • Nerve stimulation techniques
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Spinal injections