Brain and Nerve Surgery

Constrictions in neck veins Diseases that develop during the formation of the nervous system in newborns
Epilepsy unresponsive to drug therapy It is the department that intervenes in diseases that affect many vital functions, such as selected Parkinson’s cases, with surgical methods.

Diseases seen in both adult and pediatric patient groups are diagnosed and treated in the brain and nerve diseases clinic.

It collaborates with the departments of Neurology, Neuroradiology, and Neuroanesthesia, where various sophisticated technological equipment are employed during surgery and microsurgery.

Cerebrovascular Diseases

Since cerebrovascular diseases are common in the society and are quite diverse, diagnosis and treatment methods are also numerous.

Diseases and conditions that require intervention in neurosurgery can be listed as follows:

• Stroke and paralysis due to cerebral vascular occlusion
• Aneurysms that occur in the form of bubbles in the cerebral vessels and in some cases   life-threatening
• Brain hemorrhage in the brain tissue and cortex
• Carotid stenosis, also called carotid artery occlusion or narrowing
• Tumors in the brain and spinal cord
• Traumatic situations caused by accidents and injuries
• Waist and neck hernia
• Tumor and vascular diseases in pediatric patients
• Brain battery applications for Parkinson’s and similar patients

The vast majority of brain tumors are masses that grow and spread uncontrollably within the confined space.

Brain Tumors

There are two subtypes of brain tumors; primary and secondary.

Primary Brain Tumors; They are tumors that threaten the patient’s life and originate from cells and structures in the brain. Although they are rarely seen to metastasize due to their brain structure, it is also observed that they spread to other regions through the blood circulation and cerebrospinal fluid. In general, genetic and environmental factors play a role in its formation.

Secondary Brain Tumors; It is a type of tumor that starts in any part of the body and spreads to the brain. Especially colorectal (colon), lung, kidney and pancreatic cancers cause brain tumor formation through blood circulation. Personality changes can be observed in these patients. This type of tumor, which needs to be treated surgically, grows inside the skull, pressing on the tissues and impairing blood circulation.

Treatment methods vary depending on the patient’s current condition and the location and type of tumor.

Brain tumor consists of four stages:

• Stage 1 is slow growing tumors.
• Stage 2 tumors that grow slowly but come into contact with nearby tissue.
• Stage 3 are tumors in which abnormal cells increase and thus damage healthy tissues.
• Stage 4 is the type of tumors that grow rapidly and spread rapidly to nearby tissue and form new vessels for this spread.

Cerebral/Brain Hemorrhages (Intracranial Hemorrhages)

It is the bleeding that occurs as a result of the rupture of the balloon-like structure caused by the weakening of the arterial wall in the brain due to various reasons. This condition, which develops when blood leaks into the brain tissue and causes tissue destruction, usually develops spontaneously or due to trauma.

It shows itself with symptoms such as sudden and severe headache, drowsiness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, loss of balance and vision. Hemorrhage in any part of the skull is called intracranial, and bleeding in the brain tissue is called intracerebral hemorrhage.

Causes of brain hemorrhages include high blood pressure, head trauma, aneurysm formation, kidney failure, vascular abnormalities, blood disorders, brain tumor, alcohol and drug use.

In cerebral hemorrhage, where early treatment is very important, adequate oxygenation of the brain is essential. In most cases, surgical intervention is required.

It occurs as a result of blocking the blood supply to the brain. If the blood flow to the brain is blocked or completely stopped, cell death begins in the brain. As a result, brain damage may occur and seriously endanger life. There are two different types of strokes, Ischemic and Hemorrhagic.

While it is a blood clot (thrombus) that causes Ischemic stroke, Hemorrhagic stroke is a condition that occurs when the brain is damaged as a result of explosion due to high blood pressure in one of the vessels feeding the brain. In addition, a transient ischemic attack is a type of stroke that occurs as a result of a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Its symptoms do not last long and usually develop suddenly.

• Drowsiness
• Tiredness
• Immobility or shifting of a part of the face
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in speaking and understanding
• Severe headaches may occur

Stroke causes include smoking and alcohol usage, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Depending on the cause of the stroke, the treatment method also varies. It can be treated with medication or surgery.
 

Spinal Diseases

Spinal diseases are mostly related to old age. The spine, which is exposed to the most load throughout life, wears out over time.

Depending on this, muscle and joint pains, waist and
neck hernias may occur, as well as:

• Lesions due to trauma,
• Tumors,
• Congenital disorders,
• Spine infection and deformity are some of the spinal diseases.

There are two different types of deformities.
The first of these is scoliosis, which is a sideward curvature of the spine. The second condition is kyphosis, which is a forward curvature of the spine. Spinal diseases are treated based on the disease’s diagnosis and treatment
 

Traumas

Trauma is tissue and organ damage caused by external factors. Spinal cord trauma is the general name given to the injury of the nerve tissue in the spine.

Generally can occur afterevents such as:

• Sports Originated,
• Traffic accidents,
• Falling from high,
• Gunshot Wounds.

If the spine is injured, loss of sensation and movement may occur. Spinal trauma, in which radiological imaging is used for diagnosis, is surgically treated by neurosurgeons. Depending on the severity of the spine, the surgical method used may vary.

On the other hand, head traumas occur with similar reasons to spinal traumas. However, it is more common between the ages of 15-24 and is 2-3 times more common in men than in women. Diagnosis should be fast and effective in head traumas. Radiologic imaging is frequently used for diagnosis.

First of all, the damage caused by the impact is examined. Secondary injuries that may develop after trauma are evaluated.

Childhood Brain and Nerve Diseases

Pediatric Neurosurgery deals with brain and nerve diseases that occur from womb to 18 years of age. Some of these diseases are:

• Congenital brain bleeding
• Congenital nervous system disorders
• Increase in cerebrospinal fluid
• Spine deformities
• Head and spinal cord injuries
• Spinal cord and vascular diseases
• Skull deformities
• Spinal cord closure defects
• Brain and spinal cord tumors
• Fluid collection in brain (hydrocephalus)
• Epilepsy and other movement disorders