Overview
Endoscopic neurosurgery is a minimally invasive procedure that the doctor performs with the assistance of endoscopes. This procedure can treat several neurological diseases. The doctor uses the endoscope to view the internal area of the brain and spinal canal to evaluate the disorder, also to plan and perform the surgery.
Endoscopic Neurosurgery
The endoscopic neurosurgery may be performed either completely with the endoscopes, such as in the management of cystic lesions or occlusive hydrocephalus, or use of other instruments along with endoscopes, such as in managing vascular lesions and large tumours of the skull base. If only the endoscope is used, the technique is termed as endoscope-controlled microsurgery. However, if other instruments are used, the procedure is known as endoscope-assisted microsurgery.
When Is This Surgery Performed?
Endoscopic neurosurgery is performed in several disorders of the brain and spine. Some of the diseases in which surgeons may opt to perform endoscopic neurosurgery:
• Pituitary tumours: The pituitary gland is present in the brain. Tumour developed in the pituitary gland is known as a pituitary tumour. Fortunately, most pituitary tumours are non-cancerous. However, they may either increase or decrease the level of hormones released by the pituitary gland.
• Obstructive Hydrocephalus: This condition develops when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricle of the brain is blocked.
• Rathke’s cleft cysts: In this condition, the cysts develop between the lobes of the pituitary gland.
• Tumours: Endoscopic neurosurgery is performed to treat several types of tumours, both cancerous and non-cancerous. These are brain tumour, spine tumour, pineal region tumour, bone cancer, such as skull base osteosarcoma, neck and head tumours, such as sinus cancer, and pseudotumour, such as pseudotumour cerebri.
• Nerve compression: Neuroendoscopy may also be performed to treat nerve compression, such as optic nerve compression. The doctor may also use this procedure to manage nerve disorders like trigeminal neuralgia and Bell's palsy.
• Herniated spinal disc: Neuroendoscopy may also treat herniated spinal disc.
• Neurovascular disorders: Several neurovascular conditions, such as aneurysm, arteriovenous malformations, and haemorrhagic stroke, may also be treated with endoscopic neurosurgery.
• Craniosynostosis: In this condition, there is an early closure of the sutures, either during the foetal development or shortly after the birth.
Types Of Endoscopic Neurosurgery
Neuroendoscopy surgery is performed with the help of an endoscope. It is a small, flexible, thin tube with a camera at the head. The doctor inserts the tube at the surgery site by making a small incision. The camera attached to this tube transmits the images of internal tissues of the brain and spinal canal. The images are magnified almost 100 times and viewed on the monitor. The surgeon performs the surgery by viewing the real-time video on the monitor. To know more about endoscopic neurosurgery procedures, book an appointment with our best neurologists now!
There are the following types of endoscopic neurosurgery:
• Intracranial surgery: The surgeon performs the endoscopic intracranial surgery for tumour biopsy, removal of the intracranial cyst, and fenestration of the cyst. The surgery usually takes 15 minutes to one hour, and the patient can be discharged within 1-2 days after the surgery. The doctor makes a hole in the skull and inserts the endoscope. When the surgery site or the abnormal area is identified, he makes small holes to insert the instruments and perform the surgery.
• Endonasal neurosurgery: The surgeon performs endonasal neurosurgery to treat meningioma, pituitary tumours, and chordomas. The surgeon inserts the endoscope through the nose and can move the endoscope up to view brain tumours and down to visualize the palate. Further, the surgeon may also move the endoscope to the back to view the skull base and top of the spine. The patients may be discharged within 2-4 days after the endonasal surgery.
• Spinal surgery: Endoscopic spinal surgery is performed to treat radiating limb pain and back pain. The patients may undergo transthoracic surgery, lumbar discectomy, and lumbar fusion. The surgeon discharges the patients within 1-2 days after the surgery.
If you are looking for a neurology hospital in Bangalore then visit Manipal Hospital, it is Backed by a team of the best neurosurgeons in Bangalore who have immense experience in diagnosis, treatment and care coordination, we are equipped to treat the most challenging of neurological disorders.
Advantages Of Endoscopic Neurosurgery
Endoscopic neurosurgery has several advantages over conventional surgery because this procedure is less invasive and has significant accuracy and precision.
Some benefits of endoscopic neurosurgery are:
• Minimal tissue damage
• Fewer post-surgical complications
• Less bleeding and thus, less requirement of blood transfusion
• Faster recovery
• Shortened hospital stay
• Less scarring
• Minimal cosmetic concern
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