Transcript
Neurosurgery: methods of diagnostics
Kamila Mustafina201083328
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
Spinal cord diorders
Peripheral nervous system
disorders
Autonomic nervous system
disorders
Cranial nerve disease
Tumors Infections
Common diseases
Degenerative disorders
• Alzheimer’s disease• Parkinson’s disease• Huntington’s disease
Neuro-oncology
Epilepsy
Vascular neurological disorders
SymptomsMost 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
blinking, swinging the arms• Unconscious acts
These are only common symptoms, whereas in fact nervous system disorders may result in almost any symptoms
Figure 4. Diplopia – simultaneous perception of two images of a single objects, one of the symptoms of multiple scerosis.
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
Screening techniques: cerebrospinal fluid analysis
• - 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
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/commonneurologicaldisorders (accessed December 12, 2011)
• Wood-Moen, R. 2011. Common Neurological Disorders. http://www.livestrong.com/article/98547-common-neurological-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
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