Who is a neurosurgeon? Have you ever met one?

Have you ever heard of a 'neurosurgeon'? Perhaps you or someone you know has been advised that by a doctor, right? It's normal to feel a little scared when you hear that. "Oh, I wonder if I'll have to do surgery now." But who exactly is a neurosurgeon? Does he only perform surgeries? We'll explain all this in a very simple way today, in a way that you can understand.

Who is this neurosurgeon? (Neurosurgeon)

Simply put, a neurosurgeon is a doctor who has undergone special training . He diagnoses and treats diseases that affect our nervous system – the brain, the spinal cord (the main nerve in the spine), and all the other nerves . Many people think that neurosurgeons only perform operations. But that’s not the case. They also perform non-surgical treatments, such as medications, steroid injections, and physical therapies . In fact, they try to treat the condition without surgery whenever possible. Surgery is only recommended when all other treatments have been tried and have not worked.

Neurosurgeons also treat diseases of the parts of our nervous system that support it. That is:

• Effects on your skull .
• Diseases of the spinal vertebrae .
• Problems with the spinal discs (many people say 'slipped disc', that's what it is).
• Problems related to blood vessels .
• Damage to the protective membranes and soft tissues that cover things like our brain and spinal cord.

Even other doctors consult neurosurgeons when they need in-depth knowledge about the nervous system, because that's how extensive their training is.

What is the difference between a Neurologist and a Neurosurgeon?

This is also something that many people get confused about. Let's see what the main difference is between these two.

A neurologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases that affect our nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves). However, a neurologist does not perform surgery.

On the other hand, a neurosurgeon diagnoses diseases of the nervous system and treats them through surgery and non-surgical treatments .

Imagine, if you have a disease or an accident related to the nervous system, you might first go to a neurologist. He or she will examine you and diagnose the disease. Then, if he or she thinks your condition requires or would benefit from surgery, he or she will refer you to a neurosurgeon for further advice and, if necessary, surgical treatment. Got it?

What does a neurosurgeon do?

A neurosurgeon assesses, diagnoses, and treats conditions that affect our body's nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and spinal cord, as well as all the nerves that branch off the spinal cord.

Although neurosurgeons can perform complex surgeries on your spine and brain, they often recommend nonsurgical, nonsurgical treatments first. For example, if you have chronic back pain, your neurosurgeon may first recommend anti-inflammatory drugs and/or physical therapy. If these treatments don't relieve your pain, then surgery, if possible, may be considered.

A neurosurgeon is skilled in a variety of surgeries and treatments. Here are a few examples:

• Open surgery : This means surgery that involves a simple incision.
• Minimally invasive surgery : This involves inserting instruments such as cameras through small incisions. This results in smaller wounds and faster healing.
• Endoscopic surgery : This is also a method similar to minimally invasive surgery.
• Microsurgery : Surgery performed very delicately using a microscope.
• Radiosurgery : This does not actually involve cutting. It is treated by delivering high doses of radiation.
• Endovascular surgery : Surgery performed by passing small instruments through blood vessels.
• Chronic pain interventional procedures : Specialized treatments for persistent pain.

Neurosurgeons are also highly trained in the tests needed to diagnose and treat neurological diseases. They are skilled in operating and analyzing the results of such tests:

• CT scans (Computed Tomography scans)
• MRI scans (MRI scans / Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans)
• PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography scans)
• Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
• EEG tests `(Electroencephalograms (EEG))`

What are the common conditions that neurosurgeons treat?

There are many diseases that neurosurgeons treat. Let's look at a few of them:

• Brain tumors
• Carpal tunnel syndrome : A condition caused by compression of a nerve in the wrist. It often occurs in people who work at computers or do repetitive tasks with their hands.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak: This is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It leaks.
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Congenital brain diseases : For example, `(Chiari malformations)` and `(Arachnoid cysts)`.
• Congenital spinal cord disorders : For example, `(Spina bifida)` and `(Tethered spinal cord)`.
• Essential tremor : A condition in which things like the hands, legs, and head tremble.
• Herniated disks : As mentioned earlier, the spinal disc bulges.
• Hydrocephalus : A condition in which fluid builds up in the brain, causing the head to enlarge.
• Intracranial aneurysms : A balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel in the brain.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson's disease
• Pinched nerves
• Sciatica : Severe pain that travels down the leg.
• Seizure disorders, such as Epilepsy
• Spinal bone spurs (osteophytes)
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal tumors
• Spinal deformities : For example, scoliosis and spondylolisthesis.
• Traumatic head, brain, neck or spine injuries

Don't be scared when you see this list. There are treatments for all of these diseases, and not all of them require surgery.

What kind of surgeries do neurosurgeons perform?

Neurosurgeons perform various surgeries on different parts of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves in the limbs. Let's take a look at some of them:

Types of brain surgery:

• Blood clot removal
• Aneurysm Repair
• Tumor removal
• Stopping a Hemorrhage in the Brain
• Repairing damage caused by an accident
• Placing a shunt (remove excess fluid in the brain)

Peripheral nerve surgery (nerves of the limbs):

• Carpal tunnel release
• Ulnar nerve release
• Vagus nerve stimulation

Types of spine surgery:

• Stereotactic spine radiosurgery
• Diskectomy (removal of part of the disc)
• Laminectomy
• Spinal fusion
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty (fixing a fractured vertebra with cement)
• Spinal stabilization and reconstruction

These are just names. Not all surgeries are performed on everyone. The doctor will choose what best suits your condition.

Why do you need to see a neurosurgeon?

Most of the time, your family doctor or your neurologist will refer you to a neurosurgeon if they need a more in-depth evaluation of your neurological condition or if they think surgery might be beneficial.

Remember, just because a doctor referred you to a neurosurgeon doesn't mean you will definitely have to have an operation!

Instead, you will be given a complete neurological examination , a thorough history of your symptoms and medical history , and detailed imaging tests (such as MRI and CT scans) to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Then, your neurosurgeon – sometimes with the help of other specialists – will discuss with you the best treatment options for you. This may be non-surgical treatment, surgery, or a combination of both.

What do you need to know when you go to see a neurosurgeon?

When you visit a neurosurgeon, you can ask them questions like these. These will help you to overcome any fears and doubts you may have.

Questions you can ask:

• "Doctor, how experienced are you in performing this type of surgery?"
• "How soon does this surgery need to be done?"
• "What are the possible risks of this surgery?"
• "What are the benefits of this surgery?"
• " How is the surgery done?"
• "Should I get a second opinion?"
• "Who are the other specialists on my surgical team?"
• "Who else will be on my recovery team after surgery?"
• "How long will I have to stay in the hospital? Where will I recover?"
• "How quickly and completely can I recover?"
• "What should I do to prepare for surgery?"

Here's how to prepare for the meeting:

• Make a list of the most important things you need to discuss with your neurosurgeon.
• Tell me about the changes in your overall health .
• Tell us about any new symptoms you are having or any changes in old symptoms .
• Take scanned copies of test reports from other doctors.
• Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, supplements, and traditional medicines you are currently taking.
• Tell us about your allergies .
• If possible, go with a friend or family member. They can write down what the doctor says and help you.
• If there's anything else you need to know, ask if you can give it another day.

How long does it take to become a neurosurgeon? Is it an easy journey?

Becoming a neurosurgeon is not easy. It requires years of education and training. Typically:

• 4 years before graduation (Pre-medical education).
• 4 years of medical school.
• 1 year internship in general surgery.
• Residency in neurosurgery is 5-7 years.

That means it takes between 14 and 16 years to become a neurosurgeon! This is one of the longest training periods in the medical field. Because this field is so complex.

Some neurosurgeons, after this training, also receive a ``Fellowship`` in another specialty (e.g., spine, pediatric neurosurgery). Also, they must continue to learn new things and be aware of new technologies.

Several subspecialty areas of neurosurgery:

• Cerebrovascular surgery (related to the blood vessels of the brain)
• Endovascular surgical neuroradiology
• Epilepsy surgery
• Functional neurosurgery
• Neuro-oncology (cancer of the nervous system)
• Pediatric neurosurgery
• Spinal surgery

Take-Home Message

It's normal to feel anxious when you receive a diagnosis. However, if you have chronic pain or a condition that affects the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease, a neurosurgeon can help manage and treat your condition.

Neurosurgeons are the top experts in this field. They have knowledge of the latest medications, treatments, and surgeries that can help you.

Your neurosurgeon will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for you. So, feel free to meet with them and discuss your concerns. Remember, surgery is not always the final solution. In many cases, they will do their best to help you recover without surgery.

` Neurosurgeon, Brain surgery, Spinal surgery, Neurology, Neurologist, Nervous system