A neurosurgeon is a specialist who can diagnose, treat, and perform surgery to treat disorders of the nervous system. This nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), as well as peripheral nerves that are found in all parts of the body.
To become a neurosurgeon, one needs to first have a general practitioner degree, then complete a specialized education in neurosurgery for at least 5 years.
Neurosurgery is a fairly specific branch of medical science and the number of doctors in Indonesia who study this field is still small.
Neurosurgeon's Field of Work
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.
This organ system enables the body to move, think, remember, speak, see, hear, and feel physical stimuli, such as touch, hot or cold temperatures, and pain.
In practice, neurosurgery is further divided into several subspecialties, namely:
1. Pediatric neurosurgery
Treats neurological disorders in children, including head and facial deformities, hydrocephalus, spinal deformities, and brain tumors or tumors of the nervous tissue.
2. Neurosurgery oncology
Treating cancer of the brain and spinal cord. Doctors may suggest treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical removal of the tumor.
3. Functional neurosurgery
Treats a number of disorders of the nerves that regulate movement (motor) and the reception of stimuli (sensory), such as epilepsy, impaired body coordination, and cerebral palsy (brain paralysis).
4. Vascular neurosurgery
Diagnose and treat problems with blood vessels in the brain, such as brain aneurysms, deformities of blood vessels in the brain (artery-venous malformations/AVM), fistulas, and ischemic strokes.
5. Traumatic neurosurgery
Specialized in dealing with cases of head injury and brain injury.
6. Skull surgery
Treat disorders of the skull, such as tumors, infections, brain herniation, or bleeding at the base of the skull.
7. Spinal surgery
Treating surgery on the spinal cord, such as a pinched nerve (HNP) or a tumor pressing on the spinal cord.
The wide scope of work also makes neurosurgeons often collaborate with other specialists, such as neurologists and orthopedic surgeons.
A neurologist or neurologist is different from a neurosurgeon. Neuroscientists treat problems in the brain and nervous system only with medication, therapy, and minimally invasive methods, without surgery or surgery.
Types of Diseases that a Neurosurgeon Can Treat
Some of the conditions commonly treated by neurosurgeons are:
- stroke
- Rupture of a blood vessel in the brain (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 irritates the nerves.
- Injuries to the spine, head, or neck.
- Movement disorders, such as epilepsy carpal tunnel syndrome, and Parkinson's disease.
- Brain herniation.
- Infections of the brain and spinal cord, such as brain abscess and meningitis.
- Congenital conditions, such as spina bifida.
- Conditions that affect the flow of brain and spinal fluid, such as hydrocephalus.
- Tumors of the pituitary gland and endocrine glands.
Various other diseases that can interfere with the function of the brain and spinal cord, such as: multiple sclerosis; and nerve pain, such as in trigeminal neuralgia and sciatica can also be treated by a neurosurgeon.
Actions a Neurosurgeon Can Do
To determine the diagnosis of the disease, the neurosurgeon will trace the patient's medical history and symptoms and perform a physical examination.
Next, 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. The neurosurgeon will also often suggest a brain electrical examination or EEG.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the neurosurgeon will determine the appropriate treatment method. For mild cases, the treatment can be without surgery, for example with lifestyle changes, administration of drugs, or the use of assistive devices.
However, if the condition is severe enough or requires immediate treatment, the neurosurgeon can perform the following actions:
- Craniotomy, including awake brain surgery (brain surgery while the patient is awake).
- Brain endoscopy.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), treatment of tumors with radiation therapy.
- Surgical removal of a brain tumor or nerve tissue tumor.
- Biopsy of brain tissue or nerve tissue.
- deep brain stimulation,It involves placing electrodes on specific areas of the brain.
- Surgery to remove pus from a brain abscess.
- Installation of a special tube to remove excess brain fluid (VP shunt surgery). This procedure is often performed in cases of hydrocephalus
When Should You See 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 disorders of the brain and nerves can include:
- Severe or persistent headache, which does not go away with painkillers.
- Vomiting suddenly without nausea.
- Loss of consciousness or coma.
- Fainted after sustaining a head injury.
- Seizures or uncontrolled movements in certain body parts.
- Weakness or paralysis of the arms and legs.
- Numbness in certain body parts.
- Shaking (tremor).
- Easy to forget or hard to remember.
- Pain in certain body parts that does not get better.
Although it can be caused by other diseases, these symptoms should not be ignored, because they can indicate a serious disorder of the nerves. Therefore, immediately consult a neurosurgeon so that the problem can be resolved as early as possible.
Things to Prepare Before Consulting a Neurosurgeon
A person usually goes 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 the examinations that have been done before.
To make it easier for the neurosurgeon to determine the right treatment, also prepare the following things:
- List of perceived complaints. Tell 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 hereditary or caused by certain diseases.
- A list of medications you are currently taking (including supplements and herbal remedies), as well as any allergies you have.
- List of daily habits, including sleeping habits, eating habits, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
In addition, ask family or friends to accompany you during the consultation. In addition to making you calmer, a companion can help you make a decision if your doctor recommends surgery or certain actions.
Before consulting with a neurosurgeon, you should first find out the costs involved. Prepare more funds because there may be additional costs for supporting examinations.
