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Brain surgery

Brain surgery treats lesions of the brain and its surrounding structures through an opening (craniotomy) in the skull (cranium).

Alternative Name

Craniotomy; Surgery - brain; Neurosurgery

Description:

The hair on part of the scalp is shaved. The scalp is then prepared for surgery.

An incision is made through the scalp and a hole is drilled through the skull.

A piece of the skull is removed (usually temporarily) and the surgery is performed, after which the bone is replaced and secured in place.

Indications:

Brain surgery may be needed to treat:

• brain tumors
  
• bleeding (hemorrhage) or blood clots ( hematomas ) from injuries ( subdural hematoma or epidural hematomas)
  
• weaknesses in blood vessels (cerebral aneurysms )
  
• arteriovenous malformations (AVM; abnormal blood vessels)
  
• damage to tissues covering the brain (dura)
  
• pockets of infection in the brain ( brain abscesses )
  
• severe nerve or facial pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux )
  
• trauma to the skull and repair of skull fractures