Neurosurgery

The Department of Neurosurgery is a surgical specialty focused on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the blood vessels that supply these structures. Unlike neurologists who manage neurological conditions with medication, neurosurgeons perform operations to treat these disorders.

Neurosurgeons manage a wide range of complex conditions. These include brain tumors (both benign and malignant), spinal disorders such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors, and cerebrovascular conditions like aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). They also treat traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries resulting from accidents, as well as movement disorders like Parkinson's disease (using deep brain stimulation), epilepsy that doesn't respond to medication, and hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain).

Diagnosis in neurosurgery relies heavily on advanced imaging. MRI and CT scans provide detailed views of brain and spinal structures. Cerebral angiography is used to visualize blood vessels in the brain. Functional MRI and EEG may help map critical areas like speech or motor function before surgery.

Surgical techniques in neurosurgery have advanced significantly. While traditional open surgery (craniotomy) is still performed for many conditions, minimally invasive techniques are increasingly common. These include endoscopic surgery (using small cameras through tiny incisions), stereotactic radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife, which delivers precise radiation without an incision), and neuro-navigation systems that guide surgeons with real-time imaging. The goal of neurosurgery is to treat life-threatening and debilitating neurological conditions while preserving as much neurological function as possible.