Neurological surgeons are among the most essential professionals in medicine, focusing on the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It takes nearly a decade of education and training for these doctors to master their craft. Advances in neurosurgery have empowered these specialists to save the lives of patients facing potentially life-threatening conditions.
Microsurgery:
Neurosurgeons use microsurgery to carry out various lifesaving operations. This technique allows them to clip dangerous aneurysms and perform minimally invasive spinal surgeries. It’s also used to remove parts of a herniated nucleus pulpous, a section of vertebral bone called the lamina, and to implant artificial disks.
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery:
Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery is another common tool for neurosurgeons. This method is frequently used to remove pituitary tumors that could be fatal. It’s also effective for treating Rathke pouch tumors in the pituitary gland, typically found in children and adults in their 50s or 60s. Additionally, this technique can repair leaking cerebrospinal fluid and conduct cranioplasty to correct skull deformities and defects.
Other Serious Conditions:
Neurosurgeons deal with a wide range of other critical conditions. These include traumatic head injuries, which might involve fractured skulls and brain hemorrhaging. They are highly skilled at managing these life-threatening issues. Spinal injuries, such as herniated disks, lumbar spinal stenosis, and spinal cord trauma, also fall within their expertise. Any cancers in the spine or brain are treated by these specialists. For disorders like Parkinson’s disease, neurosurgeons use stereotactic techniques, including ablative surgery and deep brain stimulation, to provide relief.
Neurosurgeons face some of the most severe medical challenges. The brain and spine are crucial and delicate parts of the human body, and treating cancerous tumors in these areas is one of their most critical roles. Without their expertise, many of these conditions would likely be fatal. Besides managing physical ailments, they also address movement and psychiatric disorders that can endanger patients’ lives. Essentially, when a person sees a neurosurgeon, that doctor might be the key to their survival.