Neurosurgery often sends a chill down the spine to another who hears it. This is because the brain and spine are one of the most vital organs of the body, and diseases about it require specialized subject knowledge and expertise based on years of experience.

However, in the recent decade, there have been significant advantages in brain and spine surgery focused on ensuring more-precision oriented treatment and better quality of life for patients.

This article discusses various aspects of brain surgery and how recent advancements have led to early diagnosis, a more effective treatment plan, and a faster recovery.

Can brain diseases be cured?

Most brain diseases can be cured through medication and surgery. Advancements in brain surgeries have made it possible to cure most brain tumors. Brain aneurysms, epilepsy, fluid building in the brain, skull fracture, nerve damage, blood clots, abscesses can also be treated by performing brain surgery.

Only a few degenerative nerve diseases are incurable and can only be resorted to supportive treatment.

What brain disease is incurable?

Several neurodegenerative diseases are caused due to damaged tissues and nerves in the brain. In addition, some incurable diseases involve demyelinating diseases, myopathy, some neuropathies, and other brain disorders such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia.

However, treatment of these neurodegenerative diseases involves reducing anxiety and mood changes through medications and physical therapies to maintain a decent quality of life.

What are some types of brain and spine surgeries? 

Some of the common brain and spine surgeries include the following operations:

• Biopsy

Biopsies are performed to diagnose brain diseases by placing a small incision in the skull to extract a part of brain tissue or tumors.

• Craniotomy

Craniotomy involves removing a portion of the skull to allow doctors to treat and remove a brain tumor, irregular tissues, blood clots, repair a brain aneurysm or skull fractures, drain fluids from an infection, treat accidental injuries, and stokes or treat any other brain disorders. After the operation, the fragment of the skull is secured back in place with sutures or wires.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

Deep brain stimulation is used to identify and treat various brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. In this surgery, an electrode in place into the deep part of your brain transmits electrical signals.

• Minimally Invasive Neuroendoscopy

The neurosurgeon in this surgery makes small holes to extract brain tissues through an endoscope. This procedure is minimally invasive and is primarily used to treat brain tumors.

• Thrombectomy and cerebral aneurysm repair

This surgery involves contrasting dye usage to locate the problematic blood vessel without opening up the skull. The neurosurgeon directs surgical instruments through a large blood vessel to access brain vessels to treat blood clots, cerebral aneurysms, or a ruptured aneurysm.

What are some of the advancements in brain and spine surgery?

Stereotactic radiosurgery

Traditionally, patients suffering from a meningioma or pituitary tumors had to undergo traditional craniectomy followed by radiation, leading to severe side effects such as hair loss, skin changes, and tissue damage.

With stereotactic radiosurgery, surgeons can provide more targeted radiation aimed solely at the tumor, which reduces other damaging side effects significantly.

Endoscopic brain surgery

Minimally invasive techniques are becoming more prevalent for removing brain tumors that do not require opening of the skull and can be operated through the nose.

Moreover, even for diagnosing brain and nasal cavities, surgical visualization has progressed significantly through more sleek instruments that require fewer and smaller incisions.

Many surgeries are Operated from the nasal cavity, such as pituitary adenomas and meningiomas, that can help speed up regeneration by reducing the chance of destroying healthy tissue.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy

This technique involves using laser technology that generates heat, killing the tumor while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Real-time MRI visualization is used to track the patient’s brain for any collateral damage. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is very helpful for patients that developed lesions on receiving traditional radiation.

Emphasis on quality of life

Earlier, the success of brain and spine surgeries was based on quantitative factors such as the number of tumors removed, survival rates, and other parameters. However, in recent years, there has been more emphasis on ensuring patients’ quality of life by providing comprehensive post-operative care and guidance.

What are the signs of neurological problems?

Neurological problems involve any brain disease or disorder that affects the brain. There are a variety of symptoms associated with neurological problems with differing severity levels. Some of the signs of underlying neurological problems are:

• Memory loss
• Tremors and seizures
• Lack of coordination
• Persistent or sudden onset of a headache
• Loss of sight
• Impaired mental ability
• Back pain
• Loss of muscle strength

If you witness any of the above symptoms, it is best to consult a neurosurgeon for any underlying neurological problems that can be treated at the earliest.

Conclusion:

With the advancements in brain and spine surgery, there are extensive treatments available for sensitive operations that include monitoring and post-operative care for brain diseases and disorders. Research has also been going on predictive technology to identify early symptoms of neuro diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s to forestall the consequences and reduce their effects. In addition to it, advanced anesthesia facilities, sophisticated technology, and high-quality intensive care units have improved the results from neurosurgical operations.