Brain surgery is performed to treat diseases of the brain such as aneurysms, tumors, epilepsy and bleeding. In the past, all brain surgery was done by removing a piece of the skull, which provided access to the brain. This involved many dangers for the patient, as well as long recovery times. Now, with new techniques and better ways of visualizing the brain, brain surgery, while still very serious, has developed some newer and safer techniques.
Brain Mapping
Alterations in brain tissue can be due to a tumor on the brain or identified areas of misfiring, such as in epilepsy. According to the Mayo Clinic, brain mapping surgery works well when the identified area of the tumor or misfiring is near the patient’s vision, motor or vision center. The patient is awake during brain mapping surgery and is asked to respond to questions or asked to make movements. This helps the surgeon to identify exactly what area of the brain the disease tissue is near. Not every patient is a candidate for this type of brain surgery. According to the Mayo Clinic, the ideal candidates have a tumor that does not have clear edges within the brain tissue and is spreading or epileptic seizures that originate near functional brain tissue. Patients who have brain mapping surgery must be highly motivated and able to stay calm while they participate in their surgery.
Endovascular Embolization or Coiling
Endovascular embolization or coiling are procedures used to treat vascular aneurysms of the brain. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, this treatment is used to seal off vascular aneurysms that could potentially rupture and cause fatal bleeding in the brain. Many patients at one time were not eligible for surgery of their aneurysms because of their age and multiple medical problems or the location of the aneurysm. Now, by utilizing the body’s own highway of blood vessels, surgeons can now thread a coil through a centrally located artery to the area of the brain that needs sealing. Platinum coils are placed within the aneurysm and electrical impulses are then sent to the coil, which allows it to detach. The coil remains within the aneurysm and the aneurysm is essentially “sealed off.” Endovascular coiling is done under X-ray to help guide the surgeons.
Crainiotomy
A crainiotomy is performed when it is necessary to remove a portion of the skull bone in order to access the brain for surgery. Sometimes when patients have head injuries and arrive at the hospital with bleeding on the brain, called a subdural hematoma, a crainiotomy is done in order to relieve pressure. Too much pressure on the brain can cause the brain to push down on the brain stem and cause a herniation of the brain stem. This condition is fatal. A crainiotomy is also done for tumor and aneurysm surgery if the patient is not a candidate for less invasive procedures.
