[Neurosurgery] Introduction

Neurosurgeons specialise in diseases of the nervous system.
There is significant overlap with neurology and orthopaedics.

 

Etymology

Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neûron) = sinew, tendon, cord

 

Common problems:

• Chronic pain
• Focal neurological deficits
• Raised intracranial pressure
• Decreasing GCS score  
• Anaesthesia
• Saddle anaesthesia
• Asthenia (weakness)

 

Nervous system diseases

 

Diseases:

• Neuropathies
• Radiculopathies
• Malignancies 
• Spinal stenosis
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Spinal cord compression
• Trigeminal neuralgia 
• Hindbrain herniation (Chiari malformation)
• Movement disorders 
• Parkinson's disease
• Epilepsy
• Traumatic brain injury
• Depression