Neurosurgery: methods of diagnostics

Kamila Mustafina 201083328 Nazarbayev University

What is neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is a field of medicine that studies how to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders of nervous system, which includes:
Brain Spine Spinal cord Peripheral nerves

Nervous system

Figure 1. Brain receives impulses through the nerves spread around the body. Picture from A.D.A.M. encyclopedia

Figure 2. The nerve cell neuron has long axons that transmit signals. Picture from biocog.net

Nervous system: brain

Figure 3. Brain structure. Being the controlling organ of the body, brain is divided into regions. On this picture each compartment is clearly shown. Picture from www.emc.manicopa.edu

Nervous system disorders

Brain damage Brain dysfunction Autonomic nervous system disorders Spinal cord diorders

Peripheral nervous system disorders

Cranial nerve disease

Tumors

Infections

Common diseases
Degenerative disorders
Alzheimers disease Parkinsons disease Huntingtons disease

Neuro-oncology Epilepsy Vascular neurological disorders

Symptoms
Most of neurological diseases have common symptoms: Loss of coordination or ability to speak clearly Tremors, rigid muscles, slowed motion Difficulty swallowing Loss of automatic movements such as Figure 4. Diplopia blinking, swinging the arms simultaneous perception Unconscious acts of two images of a single These are only common symptoms, objects, one of the symptoms of multiple whereas in fact nervous system scerosis. disorders may result in almost any symptoms

Neurological examination and methods of diagnosis

Neurological examination assesses motor and sensory skills functioning of cranial nerves hearing and vision coordination and balance mental status For examination, neurologist may also use X-ray or fluoroscopy to observe vertebral structure or blood flow
Figure 5. The X-Ray image shows neck of a woman. The arrow indicates the vertebrate moved from normal position, resulting in headaches

Screening techniques
Angiography Biopsy Cerebrospinal fluid analysis Computed tomography Electroencephalography Electromyography Magnetic resonance imaging Positron emission tomography (PET) Ultrasound

 - the removal of a small amount of the fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord. Purpose:
detect any bleeding or brain hemorrhage diagnose infection to the brain and/or spinal cord identify some cases of multiple sclerosis measure intracranial pressure.
Figure 6. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is performed using an anesthetic. Picture from A.D.A.M. encyclopedia

Screening techniques: cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Electroencephalography
monitors brain activity through the skull Purpose is to diagnose:
seizure disorders brain tumors brain damage from head injuries inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord Psychiatric, metabolic and degenerative disorders

Figure 7. Placement of censors during EEG. Picture from lifescript.com

Reference list
Norton Neuroscience Institute. 2010. Common Neurological Disorders. http://www.nortonhealthcare.com/commonneurologicaldi sorders (accessed December 12, 2011) Wood-Moen, R. 2011. Common Neurological Disorders. http://www.livestrong.com/article/98547-commonneurological-disorders/ (accessed December 12, 2011) Hirtz, D., Thurman, D.J., Gwinn-Hardy, K., Mohamed, M., Chaudhuri, R, and A.R., Zalutsky R. 2011. How common are the common neurological disorders? Neurology Journal http://www.neurology.org/content/68/5/326.abstract