Neurosurgical Procedures

Neurosurgery is a surgical branch focused on the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders and diseases relating to the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves. Neurosurgical procedures involve the surgical manipulation of the skull and its structures to treat both traumatic and degenerative conditions, including cranial and spine-based diseases. Neurosurgeons use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat conditions, such as using a microscope to perform deep brain stimulation or using endoscopy to view the internal structures of the brain. Some of the most common neurosurgical procedures are tumors. Tumors can be benign or malignant. A neurosurgeon will often remove a tumor with either open or minimally invasive procedures. In some cases, the tumor may be more aggressive and require chemotherapy or radiation before surgery in order to shrink it. Other neurosurgical procedures may include hemorrhage evacuation, which is the removal of brain or spinal fluid from a person’s body; stereotactic surgery, which is used to target specific areas of the brain; and deep brain stimulation, which is a procedure that delivers electrical stimulation to brain neurons to improve symptoms. More complex neurosurgical techniques may be necessary to address spinal cord disorders, such as disk herniation or spine fractures. In such cases, the neurosurgeon may use a variety of techniques, such as decompression or fusion. In a decompression procedure, neurosurgeons may remove or reshape portions of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. Alternatively, fusion surgery involves the realigning and stabilizing of the vertebrae to promote healing. Neurosurgery also may be required for the treatment of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. In these cases, the neurosurgeon may use a combination of procedures to improve the patient’s quality of life, such as deep brain stimulation to improve motor functions, or direct delivery of medication to targeted areas of the brain to manage symptoms. Neurosurgical procedures are quite complex and require a great deal of expertise and skill to ensure successful treatment. An experienced neurosurgeon should be consulted whenever possible to ensure the best possible outcome.