What is neurosurgery?
It is much more than just brain surgery. We are very proud of the depth and breadth of skill of our medical staff here at Providence Everett. Our clinicians come to us from some of the most prestigious institutions in the country including the Cleveland Clinic, University of Washington, Mayo Clinic, and Massachusetts General. These physicians currently participate in leading edge brain tumor research, have authored more than 200 clinical papers, and served on national neurosurgery association governing and editorial boards.
Neurosurgery is a highly specialized branch of the medical field that deals with the surgical treatment of problems of the nervous system. The physicians who practice in this field are known as neurosurgeons, and are medical doctors who undergo years of rigorous training. 15 years of education after high school are typically required. Currently, there are only 3,894 board-certified neurosurgeons practicing in the United States.
The number and variety of illnesses that neurosurgeons are called upon to treat may surprise you. You or someone you know will require a visit to a neurosurgeon during your lifetime. Neurosurgeons treat back and neck pain, spinal arthritis and herniated discs, spinal fractures and injuries in addition to the brain diseases that most people associate with the field. Neurosurgeons are experts in the surgical treatment of the following: back pain
neck pain
spine arthritis
herniated spinal discs
spinal stenosis
spinal fractures
head injuries
nerve injuries
carpal tunnel syndrome
brain tumors | brain aneurysms
brain hemorrhages
epilepsy
hydrocephalus or "water on the brain"
acute and chronic pain
pain caused by cancer
parkinson's disease
tremors
stroke
artery blockages in the neck and brain |
The practice of neurosurgery is highly technical and dependent upon ever more specialized and expensive equipment. Most neurosurgeons are associated with larger hospitals where such equipment is available. Modern, cutting edge surgeries of the spine and brain require expensive operating theaters that contain powerful microscopes, computer systems for navigating the intricacies of the patient's spine and brain, and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of surgical tools and implantable devices. Care of neurosurgery patients in hospital requires a highly trained team of other physicians, nurses, and therapists familiar with the field and its patients.
Neurological Surgery
Providence Neurosciences Institute is one of the busiest neurosurgical facilities in the northwest region and treats some of the most complex neurosurgical problems. Providence neurosurgeons have developed a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service to diagnose and treat complex conditions of the brain and spine. Surgeries available through the Neurosciences Institute include procedures for the treatment of disorders of the spine, brain and peripheral nerves. Image-Guided Neurosurgery
Advanced, computer-assisted, minimally invasive brain surgery, using Stealth technology (link to Stealth website) is available for intra-operative treatment of cranial tumors. This technology allows for increased precision in tissue dissection and ensures that you benefit from the highest level of surgical intervention available. Training the specialists of tomorrow:
Providence Neurosciences Institute is a partner in training neurosurgeons of the future through its association with Seattle Neurosciences Institute’s neurosurgical fellowship program. When surgery is required, our neurosurgeons perform: - Minimally invasive spinal surgery
- Spinal disc removal
- Spinal nerve decompression
- Spinal fusion of the neck and back
- Craniotomy for brain tumor removal
- Minimally invasive brain surgery
- Endoscopic brain surgery
- Pituitary surgery
- Trigeminal neuralgia surgery
- Spinal fluid shunting procedures
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