Reviewing the Doctor's Role of Neurosurgery and the Actions Performed

Neurosurgeons are specialists who can diagnose, provide treatment, and perform surgeries to treat disorders of the nervous system. This nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and peripheral nerves that are in all parts of the body.

To become a neurosurgeon, someone needs to have a general practitioner degree, then complete specialization in neurosurgery for a minimum of 5 years.

Neurosurgery is a branch of medical science that is quite specific and the number of doctors in Indonesia who study this field is still small.

Field of Work for Neurosurgeons

The nervous system is a complex network that carries messages from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body, and vice versa a.

This organ system allows the body to move, think, remember, speak, see, hear, and feel physical stimulation, such as touch, hot or cold temperatures, and pain.

In practice, neurosurgery is divided into several subspecialty fields, namely:

1. Pediatric neurosurgery

Dealing with neurological disorders in children, including head and facial deformities, hydrocephalus, spinal deformities, and brain tumors or neural network tumors.

2. Oncological nerve surgery

Dealing with brain and spinal cord cancer. Doctors can recommend treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical removal of tumors.

3. Functional neurosurgery

Dealing with a number of disorders of the nerves that regulate movement (motor) and sensory (sensory) reception, such as epilepsy, body coordination disorders, and cerebral palsy ( paralyzed brain).

4. Vascular nerve surgery

Diagnose and treat blood vessel problems in the brain, such as brain aneurysms, blood vessel deformities in the brain (venous artery malformations/ AVM), fistulas, and ischemic strokes.

5. Trauma neurosurgery

Specifically dealing with cases of head injury and brain injury.

6. Skull surgery

Dealing with disorders of the skull, such as tumors, infections, brain herniation, or bleeding at the base of the skull.

7. Spine surgery

Dealing with surgery in the spinal cord, such as pinched nerves (HNP) or tumors that suppress the spinal cord.

The broad scope of work also makes the surgeon nerves often work with other specialists, such as neurologists and orthopedic surgeons.

Neurologists or neurologists are different from neurosurgeons. Nerve specialists deal with problems in the brain and nervous system only by administration of drugs, therapy, and minimally invasive methods, without surgery or surgery.

Variety of Diseases that can be Treated by Neurosurgeons

Some of the conditions commonly handled by neurosurgeons are:

• Stroke
• Rupture of brain blood vessels (brain aneurysm).
• Cancer or tumors in the brain, skull, and spine.
• Disorders of the spine, such as spinal malformations, pinched nerves, and inflammation of the spine that disturbs nerves.
• Injuries to the spine, head, or neck.
• Movement disorders, such as epilepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Parkinson's disease.
• Brain herniation.
li>
• Brain and spinal cord infections, such as brain abscesses and meningitis.
• Inborn conditions, such as spina bifida.
• Conditions that affect fluid flow in the brain and spine, such as hydrocephalus.
• Pituitary gland tumors and endocrine glands.

Various diseases that can interfere with brain function and spinal cord, such as multiple sclerosis ; and nerve pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia and sciatica can also be handled by a neurosurgeon.

What a Neurosurgeon Can Do

To determine the diagnosis of the disease , the neurosurgeon will trace the medical history and symptoms felt by the patient and conduct a physical examination.

Furthermore, the doctor will perform several supporting tests, such as blood tests, urine tests, brain fluid analysis, and radiological examinations, such as X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, brain angiography, or MRI. Neurosurgeons will also often suggest checking the brain's electrical flow or EEG.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the neurosurgeon will determine the appropriate treatment method. For mild cases, treatment can be without surgery, for example with lifestyle changes, administration of medicines, or the use of assistive devices.

However, if the condition of the disease is severe or needs immediate treatment, a neurosurgeon can do several following actions:

• craniotomy, including awake brain surgery (brain surgery when the patient is conscious).
• Brain endoscopy.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), tumor management with radiation therapy.
• Surgery to remove brain tumors or nerve tissue tumors.
• Biopsy of brain tissue or nerve tissue.
• Deep brain stimulation, involves electrodes in certain areas of the brain.
• Surgery to remove pus in the brain abscess.
• Installation special hose to remove excess brain fluid ( VP shunt surgery ). This procedure is often carried out in the case of hydrocephalus

When to go to a neurosurgeon?

Disorders of the brain and nerves can be dangerous and even fatal if not treated immediately. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs or symptoms. Symptoms of brain and nerve disorders can be:

• Severe or permanent headaches, which do not disappear with painkillers.
• Sudden vomiting without preceding nausea.
• Decreased consciousness or coma.
• Fainting after a head injury.
• Seizures or uncontrolled movements in certain parts of the body.
• Weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs.
• Numbness in certain parts of the body.
• Trembling (tremor).
• Easy to forget or difficult to remember.
• Pain in certain body parts that do not improve.

Although they may be caused by other diseases, these symptoms should not be ignored, because it can indicate a serious disturbance in the nerve. Therefore, immediately consult a neurosurgeon so that the problem can be resolved as early as possible.

Things You Need to Be Prepared Before Self-Examination of a Neurosurgeon

Someone usually go to a neurosurgeon after getting a referral from a general practitioner or other specialist. Before coming to see a neurosurgeon, it is advisable to bring all the results of examinations that have been done before.

To facilitate the neurosurgeon in determining the right treatment, also prepare the following:

• List of complaints that are felt. Convey all the symptoms and complaints that you feel in detail to the doctor.
• List of history of diseases that have been suffered or internal diseases Some neurological diseases are inherited or caused by certain diseases.
• Register medicines that are being consumed (including supplements and herbal medicines), as well as allergies they have.
• List of daily habits, including sleeping habits, eating habits, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Also, ask your family or friends to accompany you during the consultation. In addition to making you more calm, a companion can help you make a decision if the doctor recommends a particular surgery or action.

Before consulting a neurosurgeon, you should first find out the costs needed. Prepare more funds because there may be additional fees for investigation.

Label : Health cat_Health