“Neurosurgery, sometimes known as brain surgery, is the surgical correction of anomalies in the brain or its surrounding tissues, such as tumors or aneurysms. It’s a life-saving treatment that’s carried out by skilled neurosurgeons in a highly specialized setting.”- Says Dr Gurneet Shawney who is one of the best neurosurgeon in Mumbai.
In this article, Dr Gurneet Shawney will discuss the conditions that require brain surgery & how to decide if you are the right candidate for it.
Brain conditions that necessitate surgery
According to the neurologists in Mumbai, the following are examples of brain structural anomalies that may necessitate a brain operation:
- Blood vascular malformation, in which connections between veins and arteries are established in the brain, is an example of a congenital brain defect.
- Internal bleeding in the brain caused by an aneurysm, a weakening and ruptured artery wall.
- To avoid further damage to the brain tissue surrounding the problem location, blood clots and bleeding in the brain are treated by a brain operation.
- Hematomas and other epidural or subdural abnormalities are treated with appropriate brain surgery procedures.
- Edema of the brain occurs when fluid builds up around the brain, producing swelling, headaches, and pressure on the brain.
- Critical brain surgery is frequently used to remove brain tumors, especially if they are cancerous.
- In some cases of epilepsy caused by a brain structure anomaly or pressure on a nerve, doctors may recommend brain surgery.
- A stroke, tumor, or accident, among other things, can injure a nerve between the brain and the spine, resulting in neuropathic pain.
- Infection in nearby areas or brain tissue may cause the abscess to fill with infectious material, necessitating brain surgery to empty the abscess.
- When the neural signals required to control motor function are too weak or aberrant, brain surgery may help with Parkinson’s disease.
Are you a good candidate for a brain operation?
Only when a problem is considered to be too serious to be treated with medication or therapy is brain surgery recommended. In some of the following situations, a neurosurgeon in Mumbai may recommend brain surgery:
Spine disorder:
Pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the limbs may indicate spinal injury. After determining the condition causing these concerns and checking for damage, a brain procedure may be advised.
Recurrent headaches:
While migraines are a common complaint, chronic and recurrent headaches may indicate a more serious problem, prompting a test for brain-related illnesses. If a cause for brain surgery is discovered, a neurosurgeon will treat the problem with one of the various types of brain surgery.
Accidental traumatic brain injury:
A big accident or simply a fall can cause a head injury and brain damage. Typically, brain surgery is used to treat this. To avoid the possibility of brain edema, abscess, or haemorrhage, it’s preferable to get examined for brain damage as soon as possible following the incident.
Stroke:
A stroke can damage a section of the brain, necessitating deep brain surgery to restore function to all of the brain’s areas. If detected early enough, brain surgery may be performed to prevent a stroke caused by plaque build-up or clots in major artery vessels.
CSF build-up:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a fluid that surrounds the brain and is essential for appropriate brain function. The CSF is generated and circulates in excess around brain tissue in a condition known as hydrocephalus, producing brain swelling and pressure. Patients, particularly children, experience nausea, vomiting, and fever, and the underlying cause is treated with a brain procedure that involves draining fluid from the afflicted areas.
Tumors:
If a patient is suspected of having a brain tumor, a biopsy will be conducted during surgery. If the tumor can only be removed through surgery, the biopsy will be followed by a brain operation to remove the tumor. Both benign and malignant tumors can be removed with brain surgery.
Epilepsy:
While epilepsy patients do not necessarily require brain surgery, specialist brain surgery can help control seizures in some circumstances. It aids in improving the patient’s quality of life. A patient with epilepsy who will undergo testing to establish the probability of a successful brain surgery treatment may benefit from deep brain surgery or awake brain surgery.
Trigeminal neuralgia:
Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful and persistent illness in which the trigeminal nerve in the face is involved. In the lower jaw, patients may experience excruciating pain. The nerve damage can be treated with brain surgery.