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| Patient Education -- What is Neurosurgery? |
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What Is
Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the
diagnosis and treatment of the entire nervous system,
composed of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column,
as well as the nerves that travel through all parts of
the body. A neurological surgeon may provide either surgical
or non-surgical care, depending on the nature of the injury
or illness.
What Kinds of Illnesses do Neurological Surgeons Treat?
Neurosurgeons are more than just brain surgeons. These
medical specialists are trained to help patients with
head and spine trauma; cerebrovascular disorders, such
as aneurysms of the brain and clogged arteries in the
neck that can lead to stroke; chronic low back pain; birth
defects; brain and spinal tumors; and abnormalities of
the peripheral (face, arms, legs, hands and feet) nerves.
Disorders of the brain, spine and nerves commonly treated
by neurosurgeons include: Carotid Artery Disease, Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome, Cervical Spine Disorders, Chronic Pain,
Craniosynostosis, Epilepsy, Head Injury, Herniated Disk,
Hydrocephalus, Intracranial Aneurysm, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis,
Meningomyelocele, Parkinson's Disease, Spina Bifida, Spinal
Cord Injury, Stroke, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Tumors.
How Are Neurosurgeons Trained?
Neurosurgery has one of the longest training periods of
any medical specialty due to the extreme complexity of
the nervous system and the advanced techniques used in
neurosurgical operations. After four years of medical
school and two years in an internship program, the doctor
enters a neurosurgical residency program of five to seven
years. While in the program, neurosurgical residents are
trained in all aspects of neurosurgery, including cerebrovascular,
pediatrics, spine, trauma and tumor. The resident program
is long and difficult, due to the extreme complexity of
the nervous system and the advanced techniques used in
neurosurgical operations. Some neurosurgeons opt to do
an additional fellowship in a particular area of study
following their residency.
While the neurological surgeon has a comprehensive knowledge
after medical school and residency training, there are
continual changes in this specialty that require ongoing
study throughout the neurological surgeon's professional
career. Monthly scientific journals, annual meetings,
specialized symposia and other educational opportunities
help the neurosurgeon keep pace with rapid changes and
developments in neurosurgery.
What is the Role of the Neurosurgeon?
Neurosurgeons provide the operative and non-operative
management (i.e.: prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment,
critical care and rehabilitation) of neurological disorders.
Because neurosurgeons have extensive training in the diagnosis
of all neurological diseases, they are often called upon
by emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, family
practitioners, and osteopaths for consultations.
What's New in Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgeons have been leaders in the incorporation of
new technologies into the diagnosis, evaluation, and surgical
and non-surgical treatment of patients. Although neurosurgery
is by nature a surgical field, many patients suffering
from neurological illnesses are undergoing non-surgical
or minimally invasive treatments. To that end, the explosion
of less invasive surgical equipment and techniques, such
as microscopes, lasers and focused radiation, as well
as cutting-edge medical tools such as stents, shunts and
radiosurgery, are changing the way some neurological disorders
are treated. These medical advancements have positioned
neurosurgeons on the cutting-edge of technology, enhancing
the neurosurgeon's ability to care for patients and making
surgery easier on the patient.
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