Illnessses Treated by Neurosurgeons

What Kinds of Illnesses do Neurological Surgeons Treat?
Neurosurgeons are more than just brain surgeons. These medical specialists are trained to help patients with head and spine trauma; cerebrovascular disorders, such as aneurysms of the brain and clogged arteries in the neck that can lead to stroke; chronic low back pain; birth defects; brain and spinal tumors; and abnormalities of the peripheral (face, arms, legs, hands and feet) nerves.

Disorders of the brain, spine and nerves commonly treated by neurosurgeons include:

• Carotid Artery Disease
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Cervical Spine Disorders
• Chronic Pain
• Craniosynostosis
• Epilepsy
• Head Injury
• Herniated Disk
• Hydrocephalus
• Intracranial Aneurysm
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Meningomyelocele
• Parkinson's Disease
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Stroke (Brain Attack)
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Tumors

SOURCE: Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Neurosurgeon's Role

What is the Role of the Neurosurgeon?
Neurosurgeons provide the operative and non-operative management (i.e.: prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care and rehabilitation) of neurological disorders. Because neurosurgeons have extensive training in the diagnosis of all neurological diseases, they are often called upon by emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, family practitioners, and osteopaths for consultations.

What's New in Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgeons have been leaders in the incorporation of new technologies into the diagnosis, evaluation, and surgical and non-surgical treatment of patients. Although neurosurgery is by nature a surgical field, many patients suffering from neurological illnesses are undergoing non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments. To that end, the explosion of less invasive surgical equipment and techniques, such as microscopes, lasers and focused radiation, as well as cutting-edge medical tools such as stents, shunts and radiosurgery, are changing the way some neurological disorders are treated. These medical advancements have positioned neurosurgeons on the cutting-edge of technology, enhancing the neurosurgeon’s ability to care for patients and making surgery easier on the patient.