We often see neurosurgeons in the media, represented as these ethereally intelligent people who spend day in and day out drawing tumours on the wall to solve a seemingly impossible problem. Perhaps you’ve heard of the job from Dr. McDreamy Shepherd of Grey’s Anatomy. A Neurosurgeon primarily performs complex surgeries on the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves (inside your brain and spinal cord).
Neurosurgeons are responsible for examining, diagnosing, and surgically treating conditions pertinent to the nervous system, contrary to the medical dramas that often depict these bloody surgeries that are results of last minute procedures. Neurosurgeons, while also performing emergency procedures, also remove tumors, relieve chronic pain, treat wounds, and treat diseases such as Parkinson’s and epilepsy.
One important aspect of a neurosurgery is the preventive medical care that ensures that surgery is a less likely alternative. Early identification and treatment for irregularities in the neurological system is important to avoid aneurysms or similar catastrophic neurological conditions. According to the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, “The average prevalence of asymptomatic intracranial benign tumours, aneurysms and carotid stenoses must be estimated as approximately 1% each. Meningiomas, aneurysms and carotid stenosis become more frequent with increasing age” (Steiger). It is essential to recognize the roles and responsibilities of a neurosurgeon in preventive medicine.
A common misconception is that neurosurgeons are mostly brain surgeons. This is actually false, as neurosurgery is more than 70 percent in dealing with the treatment of the spine and the spinal cord. Neurosurgeons go through thorough and long training in order to understand the spine and the intricate network of nerves that is present.
A neurosurgeon’s job comes after many years of schooling. All occupations start in high school where the future doctor learns to understand human anatomy, learns the chemical composition and inner workings on the body, and is encouraged to take biology, chemistry, and physics to further explore the specialty. Then, the student must earn their Bachelor’s Degree. Although it is not mandatory for the Bachelor to be in the medicinal field, aspiring neurosurgeons usually opt for an advanced biological science to meet the prerequisites for medical school. All aspiring neurosurgeons must pass the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) and enter Medical School. In Med School, a neurosurgeon may opt for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. The first two years of Med School is usually course and lab work, preparation for patient interaction and training in biology, natural science, physiology, chemistry, medical ethics, and practice of medicine. The second couplet of years is called Rotations, in which the students do a variety of medical specialities to experience and further their understanding of medicine. Physicians then do their internship for a year and move into their residency program, specializing in neurological surgery. All neurosurgeons must get their State Licensing, and they have the option of Board Certification and Fellowships.
A neurosurgeon is a long and difficult process that requires grit, persistence, and heart. Without them, the world of medical innovation would stop at a standstill. May this long and winding journey open the door to a new world of neurology, science, evolution, and medical phenomenons.
Sources:
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. Steiger@uni-duesseldorf.de. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16944049/#affiliation-1
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/neurosurgeon/how-to-become/
Published March 6, 2021
Written by Fiona Xu ~ Edited by Amanda Chapa ~ Graphics by Jess Moerman
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