Neuro Surgery Details Overview

Neurosurgery, also called Neurological Surgery, is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and management of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and cerebrovascular system.

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. Neurosurgeons treat a wide range of problems, including tumors, trauma, degenerative conditions of the spine like herniated discs, aneurysms, and movement disorders. Common neurosurgical procedures include craniotomy for brain access, tumor resection, spinal fusion and laminectomy for spinal issues, and deep brain stimulation for movement disorders.

Conditions Treated by Neurosurgery:

(1). Brain Disorders

• Brain tumors (benign and malignant)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
• Hydrocephalus (excess cerebrospinal fluid)
• Epilepsy (refractory cases)
• Brain infections (abscesses)

(2). Spinal Disorders

Treatment of spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, spinal tumors, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis

(3). Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Treats nerve compression (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome), nerve injuries, and tumors.

(4). Vascular Neurosurgery

Deals with blood vessel disorders like aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and stroke-related interventions.

(5). Functional Neurosurgery

Procedures such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor)

• Craniotomy: Surgical opening of the skull to remove tumors, relieve pressure, or repair blood vessels.
• Laminectomy: Removal of a part of the vertebra to relieve spinal nerve compressio.
• Spinal Fusion: Joining two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine.
• Endoscopic Neurosurgery: Minimally invasive techniques using small scopes to access brain or spinal region.
• Stereotactic Surgery: Precise, computer-guided intervention for targeting small brain areas (e.g., biopsies, DBS).
• Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt: To treat hydrocephalus by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid.

When is Neurosurgery Needed?

• Brain tumors (primary or metastatic).
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
• Stroke (especially hemorrhagic).
• Hydrocephalus.
• Degenerative spine diseases.
• Epilepsy not responding to medication.
• Peripheral nerve injuries (trauma, compression syndromes)
• Congenital anomalies (e.g., Chiari malformation)

Neurosurgeons are highly specialized doctors who undergo extensive training (typically 6–7 years after medical school) in surgical management of neurological disorders. They often collaborate with neurologists, radiologists, oncologists, and physiotherapists.