NEUROSURGERY (BRAIN AND NERVE SURGERY)

Neurosurgery (Brain and Nerve Surgery) is a well-equipped branch dealing with the surgical treatment of central and peripheral nervous system diseases.

What is brain and nerve surgery?

The nervous system is one of the most basic and important structures responsible for the functioning of our body. Thanks to the nervous system, many activities and functions such as movement, learning, speech and sleep can be realized with the stimuli distributed throughout the body. Damage to any part of the nervous system leads to the disruption of these functions. Such results lead to serious health problems that affect daily life. In such cases, which are not treated properly, more advanced health problems may be encountered. In all negative situations and complaints involving the brain and nervous system, you must consult your specialist doctor.

In the Neurosurgery Diseases Center, services are provided for health problems affecting the brain like the cerebral cortex, cranial nerves, pituitary gland (pituitary gland), cerebellum, brain stem, spinal cord, nervous system circulation and nerve plexus structures in the nervous system. Certain pains and complaints are manifested in the person in response to any damage that may occur in these structures. In diseases that fall under the relevant field of brain and nerve surgery, symptoms such as unconsciousness, difficulty or limitation in movement, pain, seizure, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, speech difficulty or disorder, numbness and tingling can be seen. You can safely apply to our Neurosurgery department and our neurosurgeon doctors for these reasons. In such cases, the most important savior of your life will be an early and accurate diagnosis.

In neurosurgery, we operate together with the following units in all related collaborative sub-branches:

• Vascular surgery,
• Tumor surgery,
• Pediatric neurosurgery,
• Endoscopic surgery (brain and spinal cord),
• Spine surgery,
• Epilepsy surgery,
• Functional neurosurgery,
• Gamma knife.

Other medical departments related to brain and nerve surgery

• Neurology
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Cerebrovascular Diseases

Since cerebrovascular diseases, which are common in society, are quite diverse, diagnosis and treatment methods are also numerous. Diseases that are frequently encountered in neurosurgery and situations that require intervention can be listed as follows:
• Stroke and paralysis due to cerebral vascular occlusion for various reasons,
• Life-threatening aneurysms that appear as bubbles in the brain vessel and, in some cases, are accompanied by bleeding,
• Brain hemorrhage in the brain tissue and membrane,
• Carotid stenosis, which is called carotid artery occlusion or narrowing,
• Tumors in the brain and spinal cord,
• Traumatic situations caused by accidents and injuries,
• Waist and neck hernias,
• Tumor and vascular diseases in pediatric patients,
• Brain battery applications for Parkinson’s and similar patients.

Brain Tumors

The vast majority of brain tumors are masses that grow and spread rapidly in an uncontrolled manner within a confined space. There are two subtypes, primary and secondary. Primary brain tumors are tumors that threaten the life of the patient and are formed from cells in the brain. Although they are rarely seen to metastasize due to their brain structure, it is also observed that they spread to other regions through the blood circulation and cerebrospinal fluid. In general, genetic and environmental factors play a role in its formation. Secondary brain tumors are tumors that start in any part of the body and spread to the brain. Brain tumors are formed as a result of blood circulation from cancers such as colon, lung, kidney and pancreatic.Personality changes can be observed in these patients. This type of tumor, which needs to be treated surgically, grows inside the skull, pressing on the tissues and impairing blood circulation. Treatment methods vary depending on the patient’s current condition and the location and type of tumor. A brain tumor consists of four stages:
• Stage 1 tumors are slow-growing.
• Stage 2 tumors that grow slowly but come into contact with nearby tissue.
• Stage 3 tumors are those in which abnormal cells increase and thus damage healthy tissues.
• Stage 4 is the type of tumor that grows rapidly, spreads rapidly to nearby tissue and forms new vessels for this spread.

Brain Bleeding

It is the bleeding that occurs as a result of the rupture of the balloon-like structure caused by the weakening of the arterial wall in the brain due to various reasons. This condition, which develops when blood leaks into the brain tissue and causes tissue destruction, usually develops spontaneously or due to trauma. It manifests itself with symptoms such as sudden and severe headache, drowsiness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, difficulty speaking and swallowing and loss of balance and vision. Hemorrhage in any part of the skull is called intracranial and bleeding in the brain tissue is called intracerebral hemorrhage. Causes of brain hemorrhages include high blood pressure, head trauma, aneurysm formation, kidney failure, vascular abnormalities, blood disorders, brain tumors, and alcohol and drug use. In cerebral hemorrhage, where early treatment is very important, adequate oxygenation of the brain is essential. In most cases, surgical intervention is required.

Stroke

It occurs as a result of blocking the blood supply to the brain. If the blood flow to the brain is blocked or completely stopped, cell death begins in the brain. As a result, brain damage may occur and seriously endanger life. There are two different types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. While it is a blood clot that causes ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke is a condition that occurs when the brain is damaged as a result of an explosion due to high blood pressure in one of the vessels feeding the brain. In addition, a transient ischemic attack is a type of stroke that occurs as a result of a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Its symptoms do not last long and usually develop suddenly. Drowsiness, fatigue, immobility or shifting of a part of the face, dizziness, difficulty speaking and understanding, and severe headaches may occur. Smoking and alcohol use, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes are among the causes of stroke. Depending on the cause of the stroke, the treatment method also varies. It can be treated with medication or surgery.

Stroke

It occurs as a result of blocking the blood supply to the brain. If the blood flow to the brain is blocked or completely stopped, cell death begins in the brain. As a result, brain damage may occur and seriously endanger life. There are two different types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. While it is a blood clot that causes ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke is a condition that occurs when the brain is damaged as a result of an explosion due to high blood pressure in one of the vessels feeding the brain. In addition, a transient ischemic attack is a type of stroke that occurs as a result of a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Its symptoms do not last long and usually develop suddenly. Drowsiness, fatigue, immobility or shifting of a part of the face, dizziness, difficulty speaking and understanding, and severe headaches may occur. Smoking and alcohol use, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes are among the causes of stroke. Depending on the cause of the stroke, the treatment method also varies. It can be treated with medication or surgery.

Spinal Diseases

Spinal diseases are mostly related to old age. The spine, which is exposed to the most load throughout life, wears out over time. As a result, muscle and joint pain, as well as waist and neck hernias, may occur. Apart from these, trauma-related lesions, tumors, congenital disorders, spinal infection and deformity are some of the spinal diseases. There are two different types of deformities. The first is scoliosis, which is lateral spine curvature and the second is secondary kyphosis, which is forward spine curvature. Spinal diseases are treated according to the diagnosis and type of the disease. If you have a complaint about your spine, you should have your checkups done by a specialist doctor without delay.

Traumas

Trauma is tissue and organ damage caused by external factors. The term “spinal cord trauma” refers to any injury to the nerve tissue in the spine. It can usually be caused by sports or be seen after events such as traffic accidents, falling from a height, and gunshot wounds. If the spine is injured, loss of sensation and movement may occur. Spinal trauma, in which radiological imaging is used for diagnosis, is surgically treated by neurosurgeons. Depending on the severity of the spine, the surgical method used may vary. Head traumas, on the other hand, occur for reasons similar to spinal traumas. However, it is more common between the ages of 15 and 24, and it is 2-3 times more common in men than in women. The diagnosis should be fast and effective in head trauma. Radiologic imaging is often used for diagnosis. First of all, the damage caused by the impact is examined. Secondary injuries that may develop after trauma are evaluated. Depending on the damage caused by the trauma, the neurosurgeon applies the necessary treatment after evaluating the patient.

Childhood brain and nerve diseases

Pediatric neurosurgery deals with brain and nerve diseases that occur from the womb to 18 years of age. Some of these diseases are:

• Congenital brain hemorrhages,
  • Congenital disorders of the nervous system,
  • Increase in cerebrospinal fluid,
  • Spine deformities,
  • Head and spinal cord injuries,
  • Spinal cord and vascular diseases,
  • Skull deformities,
  • Spinal cord closure defects,
  • Brain and spinal cord tumors,
  • Water collection in the brain,
  • Epilepsy and other movement disorders.

As VITACARE HEALTHCARE, we are with you for the most accurate guidance in all neurosurgery treatment processes, the treatments planned for you and the earliest diagnosis with our doctors.