When most people think of neurosurgery, they picture the removal of malignant tumors. However, this therapy can be used to treat other illnesses as well, including epilepsy. This surgery involves a neurosurgeon stimulating the area around the tumor with small electrodes. Next, the patient is given a series of activities to perform, all of which contribute to a functional brain map. Finally, the surgeon will remove as much of the tumor as feasible while protecting healthy brain tissue.
Herniated discs in the spine are a significant source of back discomfort, and one of the most common neurosurgical treatments is an anterior cervical discectomy. In this procedure, the patient is put under general anesthesia while the damaged disc and associated bone spurs are surgically removed. In many cases, an operating microscope is used to complete the surgery.
Most surgeries on the cervical spine are discectomies and fusions performed from the front of the neck. The herniated or degenerative disc is removed, and the vertebrae above and below are bonded together. The procedure is so mild that patients can go home the same day.
Even though ACDF is a joint neurosurgical procedure, it is not without danger. For example, a multilayer ACDF carries a more significant risk of requiring a second surgery than a single-level fusion. Thus patients should be aware of this before deciding to undertake the procedure.
Treating brain lesions using laser ablation guided by magnetic resonance imaging has been done for a long time. However, there has been a significant shift in the technology landscape in recent years. The high-resolution imaging capabilities of these devices help doctors zero in on lesions with greater precision. In addition, it's more exact than open surgery and requires fewer incisions.
Other forms of tumors may potentially be treated using this strategy. Using interstitial laser ablation, for instance, cancer can be treated in some areas of the brain. For example, one clinical trial used this procedure to treat individuals with glioblastoma. Sadly, a needle biopsy artifact was found on the patient's preoperative MRI. However, postoperative MRI scans show the tumor has grown very little, and there is only mild edema in the area. The longest follow-up time was 25.5 months, while the median was 9.5 months. The overall survival median was 11.4 months, and the progression-free survival median was 5.9 months.
Neurosurgery utilizing laser energy to eradicate brain tumors is called MRI-guided laser ablation. It is a safer alternative to open neurosurgery and can be used to treat a variety of brain cancers, including the deadly and aggressive glioblastoma. The procedure involves general anesthesia and the creation of a small incision in the skull through which the laser can be inserted.
Today, craniotomy is among the most frequently performed neurosurgical procedures. Bone from the patient's skull base must be removed to access the trouble spot. By removing obstacles to blood flow, this operation promotes healthy brain development.
The patient is given several drugs before the operation. These drugs can be administered orally or intravenously. However, not all brain gliomas can be treated this way. In addition, a battery of diagnostic exams is typically run beforehand to rule out any potential problems. While specific diagnostic procedures can identify the presence of a problem, they may not be able to pinpoint its source. An MRI of the brain is also helpful in diagnosis since it offers more information than a CT scan and can detect tiny cancers and vascular abnormalities.
Removing a brain tumor, aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, hematoma, or other abnormality requires a craniotomy. Its potential medicinal applications include the insertion of medical devices and the excision of aberrant tissue.
The minimally invasive hemispherectomy is another surgical option, especially for younger patients. A complete laser is put through a tiny hole in the skull and directed at the epileptic region, where it can kill the faulty nerve cells responsible for the seizures. Additionally, MRI imaging allows neurosurgeons to pinpoint the location of epileptic episodes more precisely.
Patients with severe mental or physical disorders, or those who have demonstrated a pattern of frequent, unprovoked, and bilateral seizures, are typically not good candidates for this surgery. Additional contraindications include primary generalized epilepsy and fast progressive CNS disorders.
Surgery for epilepsy involves removing a small portion of brain tissue to stop seizures. Despite the potential for harm, the operation has a high success rate and is generally well-received by patients. Both laminectomy and multilobar resection are types of surgical treatment for epilepsy in which a lesion and any neighboring epileptogenic cortex are surgically removed.