Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery)

Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery)

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of disorders related to the nervous system. Surgeons specialized in this field address complex problems that occur in the brain, spinal cord, nerves and surrounding areas of these structures and treat them using various surgical techniques.

Neurosurgery deals with diseases that can occur for a variety of reasons. These include neurological conditions such as brain tumors, stroke, brain hemorrhages, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease. In addition, problems related to the spinal cord such as spinal cord injuries, hernias, spinal tumors are also within the scope of neurosurgery.

Neurosurgery can perform surgeries to improve the patient's quality of life and restore function. They can also help treat patients using conservative methods such as medication, physical therapy and rehabilitation. 

Diseases Covered by Neurosurgery

Brain Hemorrhages

A cerebral hemorrhage occurs when blood leaks into the brain tissue as a result of ruptured arteries and is a serious condition that requires urgent intervention. It can occur as a result of an accident, impact or injury, or it can occur spontaneously. Neurosurgery units play an important role in the treatment of brain hemorrhages.

Brain Tumors

Brain tumors refer to an abnormal growth or mass formation in brain tissue. These tumors can be benign or malignant. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, imbalance, forgetfulness, visual disturbances and sensory loss. Neurosurgery plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Brain Vascular Diseases

This category includes diseases such as stroke, lumbar and cervical disc herniation, Parkinson's disease. These diseases can lead to serious consequences such as paralysis, disturbances of consciousness, difficulty seeing and speaking, and balance disorders. Therefore, it is important for people with symptoms to consult a neurosurgeon as soon as possible.

Spinal disorders

Spinal diseases can occur as a result of age, but can also be caused by accidents, blows or injuries. These conditions include joint and muscle pain, curvature, tumors, infections and other problems in the spine. Neurosurgery specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders.

Stroke

A stroke is a serious condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. It can manifest itself with symptoms such as weakness in the arms and legs, sudden headache, loss of balance, difficulty speaking and understanding. Stroke is a vital condition that requires urgent medical intervention and is an emergency that must be treated.

Various Traumas

Traumas caused by factors such as falls, accidents, blows or gunshot wounds can cause serious damage to the spine and head. Neurosurgery units play an important role in the treatment of such conditions that require urgent intervention.

Childhood Brain and Nerve Diseases

The neurosurgery unit also deals with brain and nerve diseases that occur in childhood. These cases, which include brain and nerve diseases from the womb to the age of 18, are listed as follows:

• Defects in the shape of the skull,
• Water retention in the brain,
• Increased cerebrospinal fluid,
• Congenital disorders of the nervous system,
• Cerebral hemorrhages from birth,
• Epilepsy and movement disorders,
• Spinal cord tumor
• Brain tumor
• Spinal cord and vascular diseases,
• Spinal cord closure defects

Treatment Methods in Neurosurgery

Craniotomy 

In this procedure, an incision is made on the skull to access brain tissue. Craniotomy is commonly used to treat conditions such as brain tumors, aneurysms, bleeding or trauma.

Brain Tumor Surgery 

It is performed to remove or reduce brain tumors. Surgical intervention may vary depending on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor.

Neurovascular Surgery 

This area deals with the vessels that supply the brain and nervous system. This includes surgical treatment of vascular anomalies such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) 

A brain pacemaker is a method used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Electrodes are implanted in the brain and send electrical impulses to areas of the brain. These impulses can help control certain symptoms.

Corpus Callosotomy 

This procedure involves disconnecting one half of the brain (hemisphere) to prevent the spread of epileptic seizures.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty 

Minimally invasive procedures used to treat fractures of the spine. In these procedures, a cement-like substance is injected into the fractured vertebra.

Microsurgery 

Many procedures used in neurosurgery are performed under a microscope. This allows the surgeon to access smaller and more delicate areas and manipulate tissues more precisely.

Spinal Cord Surgery 

In cases such as spinal cord tumors, narrowing due to calcification (spinal stenosis) or spinal cord damage caused by trauma, surgical intervention may be required to remove or correct structures that compress the spinal cord.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery 

Some surgical methods can be applied in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, which causes severe pain in the face. These methods include techniques such as microvascular decompression and radiofrequency ablation.

Peripheral Nerve Surgery 

In case of peripheral nerve injuries or compression, surgery may be required to repair or release the nerve.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty 

These are methods used to treat fractures in the spine. In these procedures, a special substance is injected into the fractured vertebra to stabilize the fracture.

Meningomyelocele Repair 

Surgical repair of congenital spinal cord defects.

Angiography and Embolization 

These are techniques used to treat vascular problems such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations in the brain. While the vessels are visualized with angiography, embolization regulates blood flow by injecting a substance into the vessel.

Shunt Application 

In cases such as hydrocephalus, a tube (shunt) is inserted to divert excess fluid from the brain to another body part.

Laminectomy 

It is a procedure used to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis. In this procedure, the bone and tissue around the spinal cord is removed, thus relieving pressure on the spinal cord.

Neurovascular Surgery 

This field treats abnormalities in the blood vessels of the brain and nervous system. Conditions such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can be treated with neurovascular surgery.

Biopsy and Pathology 

In neurosurgery, biopsy is frequently used as a diagnostic procedure. This is a sample taken to examine tissues and diagnose pathological processes. By examining these samples under a microscope, pathology helps to determine the nature of the disease and helps to determine appropriate treatment options.

Reconstructive Surgery 

After certain neurological traumas or surgical interventions, reconstructive surgery may be required. These procedures are used to repair nerve damage, replace tissue loss or correct skull deformities.