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Far more than brain surgery, neurosurgery involves the
diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the entire nervous
system, from the brain and spinal cord to nerves that
run throughout the body (including the face, arms, hands
and legs). Because neurosurgeons treat injuries, disorders
and diseases affecting nerves in both adults and children,
procedures are performed for a wide range of conditions
such as chronic pain, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease,
brain tumors, hemorrhages, sports injuries of the head
and spine, pinched nerves in the neck, lower back pain,
sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, trauma and pituitary
gland tumors. Surgeries performed by Dr. Carson are listed
below in greater detail.
Cranial surgery, or surgery of the
head, may be performed to treat benign and malignant
tumors, head trauma, aneurysms and other vascular disorders,
and movement disorders (Parkinson's disease, essential
tremor, dystonia, Huntington's chorea). There are many
types of cranial surgery, ranging from minimally invasive
biopsy and radiosurgery to “craniotomy” or “open” surgery.
Surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with
other therapies for the effective resolution of the patient's
condition. Modern surgical instruments and technologies
such as endoscopes, contact lasers and image guidance
lower risks associated with open surgery and reduce patient
recovery time.
Spine surgery can relieve pain and correct injury to
the nerves in the back when non-invasive methods are
ineffective or inappropriate. Surgery may be performed
to remove discs; to treat diseases and disorders such
as Arnold Chiari-Malformation, syringomyelia and spinal
stenosis; and to correct spinal fractures, injuries,
cysts, tumors, herniated cords and other painful or harmful
conditions. Dr. Carson performs the following surgical
procedures for the spine:
- Microlumbar Discectomy - Performed to correct a herniated
disc, the most common cause of lower back pain. The
soft material in the disc is removed to restore proper
shape and relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Laminectomy - Removal of the lamina (small bony plate
on each vertebra) to relieve pressure on the nerve
that causes back pain in patients suffering from stenosis.
- Spinal Fusion - Bone is grafted onto the spine that
grows and heals to provide strength and stabilization
following injury or disease.
Recent advances in medical technology have made possible , in which the entire
procedure is performed through small incisions with
the aid of an endoscope (thin instrument with a tiny
camera on the tip). Minimally invasive surgery offers
a number of benefits over traditional surgery, including
less post-operative discomfort, smaller scars and a
shorter recovery time. This type of surgery is not
appropriate for all conditions, but may be performed
to treat scoliosis and herniated discs and to aid in
spinal fusion.
The term “peripheral nerves” refers to all
the nerves in the body other than the brain and spinal
cord. Peripheral nerve surgery is performed to correct
injuries to these nerves that is often associated with
injury, tumors, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet
syndrome and neurofibromatosis.
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What Is Neurosurgery?
Spine Surgery