What is neurosurgery? 

The neurosurgery discipline deals with surgical diseases of central and peripheral nervous systems, including brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.

Diseases treated at neurosurgery clinic in Istanbul include:

• Brain Tumors
• Brain Aneursym
• Pain Syndromes, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease etc.)
• Spine and Spinal Cord Tumors
• Congenital Anomalies
• Degenerative Spine Diseases
• Peripheral Nerve Surgery
• Trauma Surgery

What is neuro-navigation technology? 

Neuro-navigation system offering advanced visualization and allows the surgeon accesses the target accurately during the surgery.

The benefits of neuro-navigation technology are as below:

• The neuro-navigation technology allows the surgeons to have better control their surgical procedures.
• The neuro-navigation technology provides 3D image of the brain in higher resolution.
• Surgeons can identify exactly what areas of the brain should not be touched with the nagivation technology.

What is a brain tumor?

Brain tumors are unbounded growing cells in the brain. There are many types and different classifications for brain tumors. One classification is related to behaviour which are malignant tumors and benign tumors. The other classification is location that may occur in the different locations of brain.

What are the symptoms of brain tumors? 

The symptoms of a brain tumor differs on the type, size and location of the tumor.

There are common sypmtoms occurring due to the increased intracranial pressure and some of these symptoms are:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Seizure
• weakness in arms and legs
• Balance loss
• Hearing loss
• Forgetfulness

How are brain tumors diagnosed?

There are many diagnostic tests such as:

• Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Pet-CT
• Brain CT
• Biopsy (stereotactic needle biopsy)

What are the treatment options for brain tumors?

Treatment way of brain tumors depends on the type and size of the tumor.

Today in general, open surgery (tumor excision), radiotherapy, radio-surgery and chemotherapy methods are used separately or in combination for the treatment of brain tumors.

Generally, surgical removal of the tumor is considered to be the first choice.

If surgery has high risk or high complication probability due to the type or location of the tumor, radiotherapy and follow-up is recommended.

Especially in high-grade glial tumors, radio-surgery (gamaknife)  or chemotherapy is advised. 

What is a brain aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm is also called cerebral aneurysm and it occurs when the artery which transports blood to the brain is bulged or ballooned.

A brain aneurysm can be ruptured and if it is happened it may cause stroke and requires emergency medical intervention.

However in most cases, a brain aneurysm indicates no symptoms and do not rupture.

What are the symptoms of brain aneurysms? 

An unrupted brain aneurysm  usually indicates no symptoms and it is unnoticable. Still when it becomes a large aneurysm it may cause some symptoms such as:

• Partial facial paralysis
• Double vision
• Severe pain behinde the eyes
• Enlarged pupils

Despite the unrupted brain aneurysm, a ruptured brain aneursym demonstrates many symptoms and it requires emergency medical intervention.

Some of the symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm are:

• Severe headaches
• Speech disorders
• Double vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea

How is a brain aneurysm diagnosed? 

There are many diagnostic tests such as:

• Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Cerebral angiogram
• Brain CT  

What are the treatment options for brain aneurysms? 

If you have a ruptured aneurysm you need emergency treatment.Today there are two common options to treat this type of brain aneurysm; Surgical Clipping and Endovascular Coiling.

• Surgical clipping: During this procedure a specially-designed clip is used. This clip is placed to block the flow of blood.
• Endovascular coiling: During this procedure a catheter is placed into a blood vessel and this catheter serve as a bridge to reach the inside of aneurysm. Then coils are placed into the aneurysm to block the flow of blood.
• Unruptured brain aneurysm: If you have an unrupted brain aneurysm surgical clipping and endovascular coiling can also be performed  or you may be advised medication treatment. Your treatment options depend on factors such as size of the aneurysm, place of the aneurys and your overall health.

What are Parkinson's disease & deep brain stimulation?

Parkinson's is a kind of nervous system disease which makes trouble to control motor movements. Parkinson’s occurs when dopamine sytem is damaged. Dopamine is a kind of chemical produced by our body and it helps us to control our movements .

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

There are some common symptoms of Parkinson’s such as  tremor, rigidity, balance problems and slowness of movement also the disease may affect sleeping, talking or smelling.

How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed? 

Between the age of 50 and 60 is an avarega age of having the Parkinson’s symptoms and if you have ever experiences these symptoms, you are advised to see a doctor.

The doctor will perform a detailed physical examination and evaluate your neurological skills. Also some imagining tests may obtain.

What are the treatment options for Parkinson's disease? 

Generally the treatment starts with medications to slow the progression of the disease. But in some cases poor medication response and some side effects may occur.

One of the other important treatment option is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. In some cases patient can receive benefit from deep brain stimulation surgery. Due to the medical condition, DBS can be advised.

Deep brain stimulation is a  procedure that can reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s such as tremor, rigidity and helps to control movement.

A medical device named brain pacemaker is implemented during the surgery and with this medical techonology patients will have to chance to return to normal daily activites.

After the surgery DBS programming takes about 2-3 weeks and after that period mostly the symptoms will lessen and patients will start to receive improvement.