More than 100 million Americans are affected by a neurological disorder – a condition that affects the brain, spine or nervous system. Both neurologists and neurosurgeons can treat neurological disorders and diseases but in different ways. If you’ve been diagnosed with a neurological condition, knowing when to consider a neurosurgeon in Monmouth County is an important step in finding the care you need.
What are Neurological Disorders?
More than 600 neurological disorders have been discovered, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and memory related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Neurological problems can also be caused by events such as stroke or trauma to the head or spine. Other neurological conditions arise from “structural” problems, such as a tumor, a cerebrovascular abnormality such as an aneurysm or blocked blood vessel, or a malformation in the blood vessels in the brain.
Because neurological conditions of all kinds affect the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems, they can cause a variety of symptoms including pain, problems with coordination and movement, cognitive impairment, and problems with speech and vision. Diagnosing a neurological problem typically begins with a visit to a primary care doctor who then makes a referral for further testing by a neurologist.
Many neurological conditions, particularly chronic disorders like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, can be managed with medication and supportive therapies such as physical therapy. Those kinds of conditions are typically treated by neurologists, usually in consultation with a primary care doctor. However, when symptoms are caused by structural abnormalities or physical problems such as a blockage or tumor, surgery may be the best option for resolving the situation – and if you live in central New Jersey, a neurosurgeon in Monmouth County may be the specialist to see.
What Do Neurosurgeons Do?
Like neurologists, neurosurgeons provide treatments for a variety of neurological issues. They’re also called upon to treat emergency events such as a traumatic brain injury or stroke. Neurosurgeons can also act as consultants on a care team that includes a primary care physician, a neurologist or other specialists, and they can also provide care during rehabilitation after an injury, stroke or illness.
The key difference that sets neurosurgeons apart from neurologists is that they specialize in surgical interventions to resolve physical problems that interfere with the healthy function of the brain and nervous system. These problems can arise from things like tumors that develop in the brain, abnormalities in the structure of blood vessels, such as aneurysms and congenital malformations, or clogged arteries that interfere with the healthy flow of blood to the tissues of the brain. Other issues can also call for neurosurgical intervention, such as hydrocephalus, or the excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid, bone abnormalities that put pressure on nerves, and nerve injuries.
Common Neurosurgical Procedures
In addition to formal medical training, neurosurgeons typically complete a five-to-seven-year neurosurgery residency which can include additional work in various subspecialties such as pediatric neurosurgery, cerebrovascular neurosurgery or neuro-oncology. Depending on factors including a patient’s diagnosis, general health condition, and age, neurosurgeons can perform a variety of cutting-edge procedures to treat abnormalities and malformations in the brain, including the following.
Endoscopic Procedures
Many conditions can be treated with minimally invasive endoscopic procedures such as carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty that involve just one incision in a large artery, usually in the leg. A catheter is then threaded through the incision into an artery and directed to the affected area of the brain. These procedures take less time and have a shorter recovery period than standard “open” surgeries – but neurosurgeons can perform those procedures as well.
Standard Brain Surgeries
Neurosurgeons may also perform more invasive surgical procedures that access the brain directly. These procedures require a craniotomy to open the skull and reveal the tissues of the brain and can be performed to remove tumors or to correct abnormalities and malformation that can’t be resolved with less invasive endoscopic procedures.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Neurosurgeons may also work with radiology specialists to perform “Gamma Knife” stereotactic radiosurgery – a nonsurgical procedure used to treat some kinds of tumors as well as a variety of vascular malformations and other kinds of abnormalities in the brain. This kind of “surgery” aims 192 precisely targeted beams of radiation at an affected area of the brain, which delivers a potent dose of radiation with minimal damage to the healthy tissues nearby.
When Should You Consider a Neurosurgeon?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a neurological condition, you may want to schedule a consultation with a neurosurgeon in Monmouth County to explore treatment options. Consider meeting with a neurosurgeon if you’ve received a diagnosis of a structural abnormality such as an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation that can be resolved with surgery, rather than a systemic disorder that can be managed with medication. Even if surgery isn’t a consideration for your condition, you may also want to see a neurosurgeon in Monmouth County to learn about additional treatment options that can help to manage your symptoms and support your recovery.
Neurosurgeons specialize in surgical procedures to correct and support recovery for many neurological conditions, but they can also do much more. Your neurologist in Monmouth County can work with the other members of your care team to develop the best treatment plan for your unique circumstances.
