Neurosurgery is the surgical specialization that caters to the nervous system. Most people associate neurosurgery with brain surgery, but it involves much more.

It is the medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of injuries, or diseases/disorders of, the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, as well as peripheral nerves and central nerves throughout the body. Neurosurgical treatment includes both adult and pediatric patients. A neurological surgeon may offer surgical and/or non-surgical treatment depending on the type of the trauma or condition.

Neurosurgeons are medically trained experts who treat conditions of the brain, spine and nervous system and specialize in performing surgical procedures. They treat a multitude of conditions ranging from trigeminal neuralgia to head injuries and Parkinson’s disease. They vary from neurologists, who focus on other types of therapy.

At Fakeeh University Hospital, we have a comprehensive brain and spine neurosurgery team of qualified specialists that use cutting-edge technology to diagnose, treat, and improve patients’ lives. Our experts are here to assist patients by providing competent care in a warm, caring environment dedicated to our patients.

Signs & Symptoms of neurological problems

The nervous system is a highly specialized, complex network. Our nervous system organizes, explains, and links us to the world around us, from sight to smell and mobility to speech. However, when something goes wrong with a component of the nervous system, it might result in a neurological disorder. Every year, millions of people are affected by neurological disorders, and many of them remain unaware of it.

Understanding the symptoms of neurological disorders is critical, since it can help in accurate diagnosis and treatment. Each person may experience symptoms in a different way. However, the following are the most prevalent indications and symptoms of a nervous system disorder.

  • Inability to think clearly
  • Persistent or sudden headache
  • Headache that fluctuates or is unique, migraines
  • Double vision or loss of vision
  • Memory lapses
  • Inadequate coordination, dizziness or poor balance
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Seizures and tremors
  • Back pain that extends to the neck, foot, toes or other body areas
  • Tingling or loss of feeling
  • Muscle weakness or lack of strength
  • Sleeping disorders
  • Weakness
  • Extraordinary numbness or pain
  • Sudden eyesight loss

When should I consult a specialist?

If you have a neurological condition that requires or might benefit from an in-depth evaluation, your primary healthcare practitioner would most likely refer you to a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

However, because your doctor has recommended that you see a neuro specialist or surgeon, does not indicate that surgery is inevitable. Instead, it means you will get a thorough neurological exam, a review of your symptoms and medical history, and complete diagnostic imaging to understand the root cause of your problems, and then move towards an accurate treatment pathway.

Conditions treated under neurosurgery

  • Brain Tumors
  • Brain and Spine issues (Aneurysms, AVM, Fistula, Cavernoma)
  • Spinal Navigation
  • Spinal Decompression and Fusion
  • Cervical and Lumbar Disc issues
  • Herniation
  • Movement Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Psychiatric Disorders – OCD, Depression, etc.
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Hydrocephalus
  • And more…

Types of treatments & surgeries

Fakeeh University Hospital offers cutting-edge treatment options for brain tumors and neurologic issues caused by trauma, other cancers, or other conditions, including:

  • Head and Spinal Trauma Surgery
  • Skull Base Surgery
  • Endoscopic surgery (Brain and Spine)
  • Microsurgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery for brain and spine
  • Awake Craniotomy
  • Brain and Spinal Cord Surgery, Brain Biopsy, Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation, Functional Procedures
  • Vascular Neurosurgery

  • Minimal invasive surgery for spinal conditions
  • Intraoperative CT Surgery
  • Thalamotomy (RF and Thermal Therapy System)
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia and Hemifacial Spasm Microsurgery
  • Radiofrequency Ablation
  • Balloon Compression
  • Frameless & Robotics Procedures
  • Shunt and Endoscopic Procedures
  • Epilepsy Surgery – Lesionectomy, Lobectomy, DBS, and Vagal Nerve Stimulation
  • Pump Implant
  • Rhizotomy
  • Pain Management and Procedures for Spinal Pain Origin (Spinal Injection, Radiofrequency)
  • Complex Pain Surgery, Deep Brain, Pump Implant, Cordotomy, and Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
  • Intraoperative Monitoring (IOM), 5-ALA and Fluorescence-guided Resection, Intraoperative imaging-guided Procedures, Intra-Op CT

The Global Burden of Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders are now extensively acknowledged as major cause of death and disability across the world. Studies have identified stroke as one of the top causes of neuro-related deaths worldwide. As populations grow and age, the frequency of severe disabling neurological disorders rises. The best way to prevent or diagnose neuro conditions early on, is regular screening.