Symptoms
Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that deals with the treatment of conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Some common symptoms that may indicate the need for neurosurgical evaluation and treatment include:
Muscle weakness
Confusion
Spasms
Seizures
Loss of sensation
Partial or complete paralysis
Numbness in the legs or arms
Poor memory or concentration
Dizziness
Tremors
Poor coordination
Sleep problems
Difficulty swallowing or eating
Speech problems
Vision problems
Headaches
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans
Lumbar Puncture
Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis
Neurological Examination
Angiography
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Ultrasound – Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
Computed Tomography (CT) Scans
Biopsy
Electromyography (EMG)
X-rays
Treatments
Treatment options differ according to the types and severity of the conditions. Treatments options include:
Medications
Physical and occupational therapy for rehabilitation
Brain and spinal surgery using neuro-navigation
External Ventricular Drainage (EVD) Procedure
Stereotactic Radiosurgery using Gamma Knife
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for post-stroke rehabilitation or depression
