subject: Neurosurgery And Procedures Related To It [print this page] Neurosurgery which is often called as neurological surgery refers to a medical science dealing with diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of any kind of disorder which tends to affect the entire nervous system. The nervous system includes brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, spinal column and extra-cranial cerbrovascular system in a body.
Walter Dandy and Harvey Cushing were the pioneers for their study and research which lead to formation of many techniques in this field. Surgeons all over the world use the techniques initiated by Dandy and Cushing. Other important surgeons who influenced the field of neurosurgery include Dr. Mixter , Dr. Barr, Almeida Lima and Egas Moniz .
Neurosurgical Methods: - Methods used in neurosurgical analysis and treatment are known as neuroradiogy methods or neurosurgical methods in most cases. Most common neurosurgical methods are as follows:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Computer assisted imaging or computed tomography (CT)
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Stereotactic surgery (SS)
Microsurgery is often used in many facets of a neurological surgery. Many procedures like laminectomy, microdiscectomy, and even artificial discs' rely on microsurgery. EC-IC surgery requires microvascular anastomosis. A microscope is used for the clipping of aneurysms in these cases. Minimally invasive spine surgery is known to utilize these techniques.
Endoscopic techniques are utilized to assist the evaculations of hematomas and trigeminal neuralgia. Cranioplasty is also used is some cases. Stereotactic Radiosurgery involves radiation. Oncologists and neurosurgeons work together in treatments for tumor and also in cases of AVM treatment. Gamma knife along with Cyber-knife are used in these procedures.
Treatment of aneurysms, carotid stenosis, AVMs, spinal malformations, many types of strokes and vasospasms involve usage of endovascular image guiding procedures and techniques. Apart from these, there are certain procedures in neurological surgery which use MRI and even functional MRI intraoperatively.
Neurological Conditions: - Neurosurgery is used in many types of treatments. Some common conditions include spinal disc herniation, hydrocephalus, psychiatric disorders , spinal stenosis, brian hemorrhages, vascular malformations , skull fractures, other types of head traumas, trauma related to spinal cord, injuries related to peripheral nerves, peripheral neuropathies , infections requiring neurological surgery, tumors related to spine, peripheral nerves, spinal cord, intracerebral hemorrhage, advanced treatments in Parkinson's disease and chorea (these require stereotactic techniques) and Moyamoya disease.
Recent developments in neurosurgery suggest its use in arteriovenous malformations, cavernous angiomas, venous angiomas, capillary telangectasias of the brain and spinal cord as well. As neurosurgery is used in the treatment of one of the most important parts of the human assembly - nervous system, hence its research is funded by various medical institutions.
