What is Neurosurgery (Neurochirurgery)? Neurosurgical Diseases

Neurosurgery, also known as brain and nerve surgery, is the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the brain and nervous system.

 

Neurosurgery, also known as brain and nerve surgery, is the branch of science that deals with diseases of the brain and nervous system. It involves the treatment of tumors in the brain and spinal cord or those pressing on these tissues, as well as diseases such as herniated discs in the neck and back, head and spinal cord trauma, brain vessel blockages, aneurysms, and brain hemorrhages. Neurosurgeons specialize in these conditions.

Neurosurgeons, specialists in brain and nerve diseases, perform successful surgeries and deep brain stimulation procedures for patients suffering from movement disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, conditions that do not respond to medication. These procedures help improve patients' quality of life. Neurosurgery departments accept both pediatric and adult patients. With the advancement of technology, hybrid operating rooms have become increasingly important in neurosurgery, particularly for tumor surgeries.

In neurosurgical tumor boards, particularly for tumors, a multidisciplinary approach involving neurology, neuroradiology, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, and other specialties is used to determine the best treatment for many patients. Neurosurgeons typically undergo 5 or 6 years of specialized training in the field of neurosurgery after completing a 6-year medical school education. Before answering the frequently asked question, "What diseases does neurosurgery treat?" it is important to first understand "What does neurosurgery mean?"

What is Neurosurgery (Neurochirurgery)?

Derived from the words "neuron" and "surgery," neurosurgery can generally be defined as brain and nervous system surgery. Neurosurgery specialists are involved in the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of diseases originating from the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, as well as tumors that press on these tissues. The surgical treatment of health problems arising from head and spinal cord injuries also falls within the expertise of neurosurgery specialists. In cases where degenerative disc pressures (cervical, thoracic, lumbar hernias), spinal problems (scoliosis), congenital malformation diseases (hydrocephalus, meningoceles, craniosynostosis, etc.), and diseases such as Parkinson's and epilepsy do not respond to medication, surgical interventions are also performed by neurosurgeons.

What Diseases are Treated by Neurosurgery (Neurochirurgery)?

Neurosurgery, or brain surgery, is the main field of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the brain, nerves, and spine. In addition to disorders originating from the brain and/or spinal cord tissue, tumors pressing on the brain and spine, aneurysms (bubbles) in the blood vessels supplying these tissues, cervical and lumbar hernias, narrowing of the neck vessels, and nerve system diseases occurring during fetal development are also considered neurosurgical diseases. Neurosurgeons also diagnose, follow up, and treat a wide range of brain vascular diseases. Examples of common brain vascular diseases include stroke, paralysis, aneurysms, brain hemorrhages, carotid stenosis (commonly known as the "jugular vein blockage"), herniated discs, brain and spinal cord tumors, and trauma or injury-related brain and spinal cord injuries. In pediatric neurosurgery, tumors and vascular diseases found in children are also included among neurosurgical diseases. Some of the commonly seen diseases in society are listed below:

Aneurysm:
Aneurysms are balloon-like expansions in the blood vessels of the brain that can lead to sudden deterioration and even sudden death. In the presence of an aneurysm, blood vessels weaken and thin, increasing the risk of brain hemorrhage. Aneurysms can develop due to genetic predisposition, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and stress.

Brain Hemorrhage:
Brain hemorrhage is the leakage of blood into the brain tissue or its surrounding membranes due to various causes. It is a serious condition that typically starts with a headache and poses a life-threatening risk. Bleeding in brain tissue is defined as intracerebral hemorrhage, while bleeding anywhere in the skull is referred to as intracranial hemorrhage. The disease caused by the leaked blood leading to tissue damage is characterized by symptoms such as slurred speech, loss of consciousness, dizziness, vision and balance loss, weakness, numbness, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and vomiting. High blood pressure, aneurysms, brain tumors, trauma, and drug use are among the causes of brain hemorrhages.

Brain Tumors:
Brain tumors can develop due to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the brain, or they may occur when a tumor from another part of the body metastasizes to the brain. It is common for cancers such as colon, pancreas, and kidney cancers to spread to the brain via the bloodstream. People with brain tumors often experience changes in personality. The treatment of brain tumors varies depending on the stage of the tumor.

Stroke:
There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic, depending on the cause. When a blockage occurs in the blood vessels supplying the brain, the brain is deprived of oxygen and cannot be nourished. This condition leading to stroke can cause brain damage and even death. Stroke can result in symptoms such as numbness, difficulty speaking and understanding, facial drooping, dizziness, and severe headaches. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are among the common causes of stroke.

What Causes Neurosurgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases?

Most diseases related to the field of neurosurgery develop due to conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Some spinal diseases may be congenital, while others are caused by aging. Additionally, various traumatic factors such as impact, falls, traffic accidents, sports injuries, and gunshot wounds can also lead to the development of brain and nerve diseases. In other words, neurosurgery diseases can arise from a wide range of causes. Healthy eating, regular sleep, exercise, and regular health check-ups can help prevent the occurrence of brain and nerve diseases.

How Do Neurosurgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases Occur?

Neurosurgery diseases can develop due to trauma, existing other diseases, or genetic predisposition. Diseases diagnosed and treated by neurosurgery specialists can be linked to tumors in the brain and spinal cord tissue, existing cancers, and many other health problems. Neurosurgery diseases typically lead to symptoms such as numbness, altered or loss of consciousness, speech and vision loss, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and severe headaches.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurosurgery (Neurosurgery) Diseases

When a patient consults the neurosurgery department, the doctor first takes the patient's medical history and then performs a physical examination. Radiological imaging and laboratory tests may be performed if necessary to evaluate the findings. Based on the gathered information, a diagnosis of the existing disease is made. There are many different diseases in the field of neurosurgery, and similarly, there are various treatment methods available. For example, in Parkinson's cases where medication does not provide relief, deep brain stimulation may be applied. Surgical operations can be performed under general anesthesia, but in some cases, techniques like awake surgery (craniotomy) may be preferred. This helps prevent the impact on motor functions, such as speech and limb movements, while removing the existing tumor. As in all medical branches, in neurosurgery, multidisciplinary collaboration with other departments is conducted to improve the patient's quality of life.