Neurosurgery is a highly specialized branch of surgery that studies and deals with surgical treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. In a broader sense, these concepts mean diseases of the brain and spinal cord, as well as traumatic nerve damage. In addition, a consultation with a neurosurgeon will be needed in case of vascular pathologies of the central nervous system and hydrocephalus, which is most common in children.
The emergence and gradual development of neurosurgery
Neurosurgery stood out as a separate direction from neurology in the 20s of the twentieth century, which was dictated by the complexity of the treatment of polytrauma and the conduct of wars. During its inception, science de alt with a rather limited range of diseases, in addition, the diagnosis and methods of surgical treatment were very modest. However, at the end of the last century, there was a sharp breakthrough in the development of the industry, which was the widespread use of microscopic optics and contrast minimally invasive examination methods. Currently, neurosurgery is a speci alty that has good prospects and is constantly developing.
Nervous system and needs of neurosurgery
The nervous system is a large number of conductors and centers of analysis that work as a whole. Therefore, for the correct restoration of their integrity, their exact and low-traumatic comparison is necessary, which is possible only with the use of microscopy. A contrast study allows you to clearly visualize structural and functional changes in the vascular wall of the brain and spinal cord, which is not available for conventional x-rays and ultrasound. It is these new studies that allow the specialist to identify and correctly treat aneurysms, thrombosis and congenital malformations of the brain in time.
Diseases of neurosurgery
The doctor issues a referral for a consultation with a neurosurgeon when there is a suspicion of benign or malignant neoplasms in the central nervous system. Benign tumors include meningiomas, dermoid, hemangioblastomas, colloid cysts, astrocytomas, neurinomas. Malignant tumor formations are represented by various forms of astrocytomas and glioblastoma. In the case of purulent processes, and in particular brain abscesses and purulent meningitis, the help of a neurosurgeon is also necessary. Especially widely in the 21st century, brain neurosurgery has become widespread, and more of its subdivision - neurovascular surgery, which treats aneurysms and hemorrhages, narrowing and pathological dilations of blood vessels, thrombosis and arteriovenous malformations.
Quite often, the department of neurosurgery receivespatients with discogenic radiculitis, compression and stenosis of the spinal cord, spinal hernias. If a nerve fiber is torn or even bruised, it is also necessary to visit a neurosurgeon. Injuries to the head and spine are part of polytrauma, therefore, in case of such injuries, in addition to a traumatologist, a specialist in the field should be involved
neurosurgery. A relatively new subdivision of brain neurosurgery is functional and stereotaxic surgery. She effectively treats epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, tremor, chronic pain syndrome and neuralgia of the fifth and ninth cranial nerves.
Congenital malformations of the brain and spinal cord are also treated by a neurosurgeon, but of a pediatric profile. This includes hydrocephalus, the surgical treatment of which is carried out in children almost more often than all other pathologies of the central nervous system.
When should I see a neurosurgeon?
We give indicative symptoms that will allow the patient to figure out whether there is a need to visit a specialist. Spinal neurosurgery most often has
deal with spinal hernias, which, depending on the location and size, have different symptoms. So, in particular, with a hernia of the cervical region, numbness of the fingers, pain in the shoulder, dizziness, and frequent changes in blood pressure are noted. With the localization of the hernial protrusion in the thoracic region, the patient mainly notes a constant pain syndrome.in the sternum and symptoms of intercostal neuralgia. If you have a hernia of the lumbar, then numbness of the toes, aching pain in the legs, difficulty walking and turning the body are more often noted. Traumatic brain injury has relatively stable symptoms and is more often manifested by loss of consciousness, nausea, headache, the appearance of incoordination of movements and tinnitus. Neurosurgery of the brain often encounters this particular pathology. Traumatic injuries of the extremities in case of impaired nerve function are mainly manifested in the form of numbness or discoloration of the skin of the segment innervated by this conductor. Tumor pathologies can usually have a variety of symptoms, so CT and MRI occupy an important place here.
Neurosurgery. Operations
Surgical interventions in this area of surgery can be divided into radical and palliative. The term "radical" means that with their help it is possible to completely cure the patient. This, in particular, applies to most traumatic injuries, spinal cord
hernias and some vascular pathologies. Palliative interventions aim to relieve symptoms, but do not address the underlying problem. Such operations include interventions for malignant tumors and some types of hydrocephalus.
Neurosurgery, like cardiac surgery, is a high-precision branch that uses modern technology and the latest examination methods. This need for accuracy is due to the complexity of the structure and powerful blood supply.central parts of the nervous system. Therefore, a neurosurgeon must perform high-precision manipulations in order to prevent possible complications and their consequences.
Training of a specialist in neurosurgery
After completing a six-year study at a medical university, a student who has expressed a desire to become a neurosurgeon must complete an internship that lasts 2-3 years, or residency (in Western Europe and America) for 6 years. This duration of training is due to the complexity of both the discipline itself and the difficult methods of treating diseases of the brain and spinal cord. During the course of specialization, a physician must master the methods of correct diagnosis and be able to determine the tactics of treatment, which is especially urgent for neurosurgery. Physicians must also have excellent practical skills. This is achieved by personally conducting operations in the learning process.
Neurosurgery in our country
The rapid development of medicine, especially microscopic optics, contributed to the opening of neurosurgical departments not only abroad, but also in our country. In large cities, there are a number of neurosurgical clinics that are adapted to provide highly specialized care to various groups of patients. In modern neurosurgical institutions, effective treatment of epilepsy, neuralgia of the trigeminal and glossopharyngeal nerves is carried out using the stereotaxis method. In addition, some reconstructive interventions after injuries and tumors are being actively studied;spinal neurosurgery.
Tips from a neurosurgeon
Here are some valuable tips from neurosurgery. These are recommendations that may be needed for both a he althy person and a patient of the neurosurgical department. Specifically:
- Always follow safety rules and use personal protective equipment when playing games or public events. A motorcycle rider should always wear a helmet to prevent severe brain injuries.
- Athlete's training should take place according to a pre-planned program and take into account the characteristics of his body. The load on individual muscle groups should be intense, but not allow a state of "overtraining" or significant exhaustion.
- He althy sleep should average 8 hours.
- The effectiveness of rehabilitation after an injury or removal of a hernia to the greatest extent depends on the patient, namely on their compliance with the doctor's recommendations. Planned, but regular exercise therapy and physiotherapy sessions give the best results.
