MNSC: Patient Resources: What is Neurosurgery?

What Is Neurosurgery?

Neurological surgery is the medical specialty
concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of
patients with injury to, or diseases of, the brain,
spine or peripheral nerves.

A neurological surgeon may provide either surgical
or non-surgical care, depending on the nature of the
injury or illness.

Board Certification

The primary purposes of The American Board of Neurological Surgery are to conduct examinations of eligible candidates who seek certification by the Board and to issue Certificates to those who meet the Board's requirements and satisfactorily complete its examinations, thereby conferring Diplomate status.

Certification by the Board is based upon its approval of an applicant's educational and training qualifications, as supported by statements from his or her program director, review of the applicant's professional practice, including opinions as reflected in the statements of his or her colleagues, and the passage of written and oral examinations.

What Kinds of Illnesses do Neurological Surgeons Treat?

Neurosurgeons are more than just brain surgeons. These medical specialists are trained to help patients with head and spine trauma; cerebrovascular disorders, such as aneurysms of the brain and clogged arteries in the neck that can lead to stroke; chronic low back pain; birth defects; brain and spinal tumors; and abnormalities of the peripheral (face, arms, legs, hands and feet) nerves.

Disorders of the brain, spine and nerves commonly treated by neurosurgeons include:

* Carotid Artery Disease
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Cervical Spine Disorders
* Chronic Pain
* Craniosynostosis
* Epilepsy
* Head Injury
* Herniated Disk
* Hydrocephalus
* Intracranial Aneurysm
* Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
* Meningomyelocele
* Parkinson's Disease
* Spina Bifida
* Spinal Cord Injury
* Stroke (Brain Attack)
* Trigeminal Neuralgia
* Tumors

How Are Neurosurgeons Trained?

After four years of medical school and an internship program, the doctor enters a neurosurgical residency program of five to seven years. While in the program, neurosurgical residents are trained in all aspects of neurosurgery, including cerebrovascular, pediatrics, spine, trauma and tumor. The resident program is long and difficult, due to the extreme complexity of the nervous system and the advanced techniques used in neurosurgical operations. Some neurosurgeons opt to do an additional fellowship in a particular area of study following their residency.

Following residency training and several years in practice, the neurological surgeon may take the American Board of Neurological Surgery examination -- a thorough assessment of the neurosurgeon's skill, judgement and depth of knowledge. The successful completion of this examination will result in board certification.

While the neurological surgeon has a comprehensive knowledge after medical school and residency training, there are continual changes in this specialty that require ongoing study throughout the neurological surgeon's professional career. Monthly scientific journals, annual meetings, specialized symposia and other educational opportunities help the neurosurgeon keep pace with rapid changes and developments in neurosurgery.

What is the Role of the Neurosurgeon?

Neurosurgeons provide the operative and non-operative management (i.e.: prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care and rehabilitation) of neurological disorders. Because neurosurgeons have extensive training in the diagnosis of all neurological diseases, they are often called upon by emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, family practitioners, and osteopaths for consultations.