What is Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery)? Neurosurgical Diseases
Neurosurgery, also known as brain and nerve surgery, is the branch of science that deals with brain and nerve diseases.
Neurosurgery, also known as brain and nerve surgery, is the branch of science that deals with brain and nerve diseases. Diseases such as lumbar and cervical herniations, head and spinal cord traumas, cerebral vessel occlusions, aneurysms and cerebral hemorrhage, as well as treatments of tumors that are located in the brain and spinal cord tissue and/or put pressure on these tissues, are followed and treated by neurosurgery specialists. Brain and nerve diseases specialists, called neurosurgeons, provide successful surgery and brain stimulation surgeries for diseases related to movement disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s, which do not benefit from drug treatment, and increase the quality of life of patients. Both child and adult patients are accepted to the Department of Neurosurgery. In the neurosurgery department, where many different surgical techniques, especially microsurgery techniques, are used, hybrid operating rooms have gained importance with the development of technology today. Especially for tumor patients, the best treatment for many patients can be decided with a multidisciplinary approach in neuro-oncology tumor boards, which are held with the participation of many clinics such as neurology, neuroradiology, medical and radiation oncology, and pathology. Frequently, neurosurgeons receive 5 or 6 years of specialized training in neurosurgery after 6 years of medical school education. Frequently wondered “What diseases does neurosurgery treat?” Before answering the question “What does neurosurgery mean?” It is necessary to answer the question.
What is Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery)?
Neurosurgery, derived from the words neuron and surgery, can generally be defined as brain and nervous system surgery. Physicians of the neurosurgery department deal with the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of diseases arising from the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system, as well as tumors that put pressure on these tissues. Surgical treatment of health problems that develop due to head and spinal cord injuries is also the area of expertise of neurosurgery department doctors. Surgical intervention is also performed by neurosurgeons in cases where diseases such as degenerative disc compressions (neck, back, lumbar herniations), spine problems (scoliosis), congenital malformed diseases (hydrocephalus, meningocele, craniosynostosis, etc.), Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy do not respond to drug treatments.
What are Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases?
Brain surgery, or in other words, neurosurgery, is the branch of science that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the brain, nerves and spine. In addition to disorders arising from the brain and/or spinal cord tissue, tumors that put pressure on the brain and spine, two important structures of the nervous system, aneurysms (bubbles) formed in the vessels feeding these tissues, cervical and lumbar hernias, narrowings in the neck vessels, tumors that occur during the development of the baby in the womb. Many different disorders, such as nervous system diseases, are evaluated within the scope of neurosurgical diseases. Diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, which have a wide range of neurosurgical diseases, are performed by neurosurgery specialists. Stroke, paralysis, aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage, carotid stenosis, popularly known as carotid artery occlusion, lumbar and neck hernias, brain and spinal cord tumors, brain and/or spinal cord trauma due to accidents and injuries are examples of common cerebrovascular diseases. Within the scope of pediatric neurosurgery, tumors and vascular diseases in children can also be listed among neurosurgical diseases. Some of the common diseases in society are listed below:
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Aneurysm: Aneurysms, which cause balloon-shaped expansion in the brain vessels, are a serious disorder that can lead to sudden deterioration of the person and even sudden death. In the presence of an aneurysm, blood vessels weaken and become thinner. This poses the risk of brain hemorrhage. Aneurysm may develop due to genetic predisposition, diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, as well as smoking and stress.
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Brain Hemorrhage: Blood leakage into the brain tissue or membrane due to various reasons is a life-threatening disorder that usually begins with a headache. Bleeding that occurs in the brain tissue is defined as intracerebral hemorrhage, while bleeding that occurs anywhere in the skull is called intracranial hemorrhage. The disease, which occurs when leaking blood causes tissue damage, is characterized by symptoms such as lisp of the tongue, loss of consciousness, balance and vision, weakness, drowsiness, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting. Causes such as high blood pressure, aneurysm, brain tumor, trauma and drug use can lead to brain hemorrhage.
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Brain Tumors: Brain tumors may occur due to the uncontrolled proliferation of cell structures in the brain, or they may occur when a tumor existing in a different part of the body spreads to the brain (metastasis). It is common for colon, pancreatic and kidney cancers to spread to the bloodstream and metastasize to the brain. Personality changes are common in people with brain tumors. Treatment of brain tumor is done in different ways depending on the stage of the tumor.
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Stroke: There are two different types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic, depending on how it occurs. If there is a blockage in the vessels leading to the brain, the brain is left without oxygen and cannot be fed. This condition, which causes stroke, can cause brain damage and even death. Stroke may cause symptoms such as numbness, difficulty speaking and understanding, shifting of a part of the face, dizziness, and very severe headache. High blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking are among the common causes of stroke.
What Causes Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases?
Most of the diseases that concern the neurosurgery department develop due to diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, as well as smoking. While some spine diseases may be congenital, some occur due to aging. In addition, many traumatic factors such as crashes, falls, traffic accidents, sports injuries, and gunshot wounds can cause brain and nerve diseases. In other words, diseases that concern the neurosurgery department can occur for many different reasons. Eating healthy, sleeping regularly, exercising, and having regular health checks can help prevent the occurrence of brain and nerve diseases.
How Do Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases Happen?
Brain and neurosurgical diseases may develop due to trauma or due to other existing diseases or genetic predisposition. Diseases diagnosed and treated by neurosurgery physicians may develop due to tumors in the brain and spinal cord tissue, existing types of cancer and many other health problems. Brain and neurosurgical diseases often cause symptoms such as numbness, change or loss of consciousness, loss of speech, vision, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and very severe headache.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases
If the person applies to the neurosurgery department, the physician first takes the person’s anamnesis and then performs a physical examination. Laboratory tests are performed as well as radiological imaging examinations when necessary to evaluate the findings. In the light of the information obtained, the disease existing in the person is diagnosed. There are many different diseases that concern the department of brain and neurosurgery, as well as many different treatment methods. For example, brain stimulation can be applied in Parkinson’s cases where there is no response to drug treatment. Surgical operations can be performed under general anesthesia, and in some cases, techniques such as awake surgery (craniotomy) may be preferred. Thus, while the existing tumor is removed, the person’s motor movements such as speech and arm and leg movements are prevented from being affected. As in all other branches of medicine, in the neurosurgery department, a multidisciplinary study is carried out with other departments to improve the patient’s quality of life.
