Neurosurgeons are medical practitioners whose area of expertise is the human nervous system, that is, the brain, the spinal cord, and the associated cranial and spinal nerves. Neurosurgeons differ from neurologists in being specially certified in the field of surgery of the nervous system. Since surgery requires sophisticated knowledge, high levels of skill, and qualification on the part of the neurosurgeon, they also tend to perform a wide range of activities in the medical field, especially relating to the human nervous system.
The term neurosurgeon becomes misleading to the general public since people expect a visit to a neurosurgeon for surgery relating to the human nervous system. But the truth is, in fact, contradictory. Neurosurgeons are specialists in surgery related to the human neural system; their professional life is not restricted to surgery alone. In fact, due to having achieved the highest level of expertise regarding the human neural system, neurosurgeons are sought after by other neurologists and emergency doctors for issues ranging from deliberating the conditions prevailing in their patients and their symptoms to the possible methods of treating them, newer techniques in diagnostics, etc.
Apart from these ways in which they serve society, neurosurgeons also treat patients with various nerve-related ailments. Some of those are listed below.
- Brain tumor
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Stroke
- Disorders of the peripheral and central nervous system
- Congenital disorders in the nervous system
- Vascular disorder
- Trauma
- Degenerative disorders of the spine
What are the techniques used in the field of neurosurgery?
The field of neurosurgery is very intricate and deals with the electrical network, which functions as the wiring system of the human body. Hence this field requires complex imaging techniques that help in the proper visualization of the patient’s neural system. Thus, state-of-the-art imaging machines and methods have become a highly crucial aspect of the success of neurosurgery. The following techniques are used by neurosurgeons to aid them in imaging, thus helping critically in diagnosis:
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) is mostly used in cancer detection.
- Magnetoencephalography(MEG scan) predominantly finds the source of seizures in the patient body.
- Computed Tomography (CT scan) is a method that helps in including more detail in the imaging than what is done in a standard X-ray.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) forms detailed images of the internal organs of the human body using powerful magnetic fields.
What are the steps taken by an individual to become a qualified neurosurgeon?
Since neurosurgery is a very precise and fine branch of medicine that revolves around infinitesimally small nerve cells, training to be a neurosurgeon requires extreme grit and perseverance along with a thirst for knowledge. Neurosurgeons undergo an extensive period of rigorous training which culminates in their achievement of the certification of becoming a trained and well-qualified neurosurgeon. The steps of the process are listed below.
- Four years of formal training in an approved school of medicine.
- A year of internship.
- Residency period ranging from a duration of five to seven years.
- Often, another year of training is spent to acquire specialization in a subcategory such as pediatric neurosurgery.
What are the conditions in which a visit to the neurosurgeon is recommended?
Upon nearing old age, a human body experiences several degenerative changes, which may cause discomfort and may also lead to difficulty in leading a normal life. Several of these deteriorating changes may revolve around the nervous system. In these conditions, a patient may have to visit a neurosurgeon. Below listed are some conditions where a patient’s visit to a neurosurgeon is recommended.
- Parkinson’s disease:
It is a disorder of the brain which leads to stiffness and shaking of the body. It causes difficulty in coordination of the body, body balance, and walking. As the disease progresses, the patient may have difficulty in doing day-to-day activities such as walking and talking. In these conditions, a neurosurgeon visit is recommended where the specialist may place electrodes in the brain of the patient to stimulate it, thereby providing relief to the patient.
- Meningitis:
It is an infection of the cranial or the spinal meninges, leading to body pain and fever. The patient may experience headaches and sensitivity to bright light. Though the symptoms may be that of a fever, they will mostly last longer and be severe. The type of treatment to be provided to patients with meningitis will depend upon whether a virus or a bacterium causes the disease in the patient.
- Epilepsy:
This disorder leads to abnormal behavior of the human brain, leading to seizures in the patient. Epilepsy may also lead to loss of awareness and unusual behavior in the patient. This condition can be treated by neurosurgeons using laser ablation surgery which removes lesions in the brain caused during epilepsy.
- Spinal disk herniation:
Spinal disks are present between the human vertebrae to reduce friction and cushion the bones. Any form of swelling, flattening, or rupturing of these spinal disks may lead to severe pain in the patient. Neurosurgeons treat spinal herniations through surgeries.
Thus, neurosurgeons are well-qualified physicians who are equipped with all the skills and technological advancement which may be required to treat any form of neural ailments in patients of all age groups.