Have you ever had a doctor tell you, "You need to be referred to a neurologist"? Or have you ever heard someone tell you, "See a neurosurgeon" when they have a back problem or a head injury. Who exactly is a neurosurgeon? Do they only perform surgeries? Let's talk about all of this today.
Are Neurosurgeon and Neurologist the same thing? What's the difference?
This is a place where many people get confused. Simply put, both of these are doctors who specialize in our nervous system , which means the brain, spinal cord , and nerves throughout the body. But their roles are different.
- Neurologist : This doctor diagnoses diseases related to the nervous system and tries to cure them with non-surgical treatments (such as medications and exercise). For example, if you have a condition like migraine or epilepsy , you will first see a neurologist. He will perform tests and prescribe medication for your condition.
- Neurosurgeon: This is a doctor who specializes in neurological diseases and is qualified to perform surgery . However, this does not mean that a neurosurgeon will perform surgery on everyone they see. If your neurologist determines that your condition requires surgery, he or she will refer you to a neurosurgeon.
Many people think that neurosurgeons always perform surgery. But that's actually a misconception. They examine a patient and decide if surgery is really necessary. Sometimes they also recommend non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, for back pain.
What are the common conditions treated by a neurosurgeon?
Neurosurgeons treat nerve problems anywhere in the body, from the brain to the spine. Here are some of the conditions they often treat.
| Medical condition | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Long-term back and neck pain | Severe pain that is not relieved by medication. |
| Spinal Disk Herniation | A cushion-like part (disc) between the vertebrae of the spine bulges out and presses on the nerves. |
| Brain Tumors | Removal of cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in the brain. |
| Trauma to the head, brain, or spine | Treatment of bleeding and fractures caused by serious accidents. |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Pain and numbness in the hand caused by compression of a nerve that passes through the wrist. |
| Parkinson's disease | When medication is not effective, symptoms can be controlled by inserting a small electrode into the brain. |
| Epilepsy | Surgery is performed when seizures caused by abnormalities in the brain are not treated with medication. |
| Congenital neurological disorders (e.g. Spina Bifida) | Surgical correction of spinal and nerve complications that occur at birth. |
In addition, doctors in the Emergency Department (ETU), as well as other specialists, regularly discuss neurological patients with a neurosurgeon.
What should you know when visiting a neurosurgeon?
If your family doctor (Primary Care Doctor) has referred you to a Neurosurgeon, it is very important to prepare a little before your appointment.
Take these things with you when you go to a meeting.
- All medical test reports you have had previously (blood reports, scan reports, etc.).
- A list of all the medications you are currently taking .
- Write down what allergies you have.
- Remember some details about your symptoms (e.g., back pain, arm numbness, headache) such as when they started and how they felt .
- If possible, bring a family member or friend with you. It will help you remember what the doctor says and ask questions.
What happens during the inspection?
The neurosurgeon will ask you questions and perform a few small tests to check the functioning of your nervous system.
- Mental status: Simple questions are asked to measure things like your memory and attention.
- Function of the senses: Checks whether vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are working properly.
- Muscle strength: Tests the strength of the arms and legs.
- Sensation: With your eyes closed, touch something to your skin and see if you can feel it.
- Reflexes: Tests are performed by tapping the knee with a small hammer.
Neurological Tests
Scans and other tests performed using today's advanced technology help a neurosurgeon to find out exactly where the problem lies.
| Name of the test | Simply put, |
|---|---|
| CT Scan (Computed Tomography) | Obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) image of the inside of the body using X-rays. |
| MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Using a strong magnetic field and radio waves to obtain very clear images of areas such as the brain and spine. |
| Angiogram | Diagnosing brain blood vessel problems (aneurysms) by injecting a special dye into the blood vessels and using X-rays. |
| PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) | Injecting a radioactive substance into the body to identify areas where things like cancer cells are present. |
| Nerve Conduction Tests | Diagnosing nerve damage by sending a small electrical signal to a nerve and measuring how fast it travels. |
If you need surgery, ask your doctor these things:
If your doctor recommends surgery, it's very important to not be afraid of it and to ask all the questions you have.
- When should this surgery be done ?
- What is your experience with this type of surgery?
- What are the possible side effects (risks) and benefits (benefits) of the surgery?
- Is it better to seek a second opinion from another specialist about this?
- How long will it take to recover after the surgery? Where should I stay?
- How should I prepare before the surgery?
Knowing all this will give you a lot of mental strength to face the surgery.
Take-Home Message
- A neurosurgeon is a doctor who has been specially trained to perform surgeries on the brain, spine, and nerves.
- A neurologist does not perform surgery, he tries to cure diseases with non-surgical treatments such as medication.
- Seeing a neurosurgeon does not necessarily mean that you will have an operation. The decision whether surgery is necessary is made after tests.
- If you are referred to a neurosurgeon, don't be afraid to go to the appointment. Take all your medical records with you when you go.
- If you are told that surgery is necessary, discuss all concerns and questions you have about it with your doctor .
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