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Neurosurgery

Treatments

The Neurosurgical Clinic offers its patients modern diagnostics and therapy in line with the very latest status of scientific research. This enables surgical intervention with maximum precision in such highly-sensitive areas as the brain and spinal cord. Our clinic specialises in minimal-invasive procedures such as stereotaxia, microsurgery and neuro-endoscopy.

Our main clinical fields include:

• Operations on the brain 
• Neuro-oncology (treatment of brain and spinal cord tumours)
• Vascular neurosurgery (treatment of vascular malformations of the nervous system)
• Spinal column surgery
• Neuro-traumatology (injuries to the skull and spinal column) 
• Child neurosurgery and treatment of malformations
• Hydrocephalus including neuro-endoscopic procedures
• Pain therapy
• Diseases and injuries of the peripheral nervous system

Neuro-oncology (treatment of brain and spinal cord tumours)
The treatment of brain tumours together with other growths of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves is one of the clinical specialisations of the field of Neurosurgery.

A special feature of our Clinic is neuro-navigation – a procedure in which even the most complicated operations can be thoroughly planned with the aid of the latest computer technology, providing the operating surgeon with up-to-the-second re-orientation on the situation throughout the operation. This enables operations accurate to the millimetre (e.g. excision of tumours) which would previously not have been possible. A further advantage is that the risk of neurological deficiency following operations is also significantly reduced.

With the aid of modern imaging procedures, the diagnostic findings have been significantly improved, and the identification and delimitation of the tumour from the surrounding, healthy tissue has become much clearer. The excision of a tumour thus involves a much lower risk for the patient, and the likelihood of neurological complications is much reduced. The use of microsurgical techniques, computer-assisted navigation, laser and ultrasound methods enables more and more operations even in critical areas of the body with essential functions, such as the centres of motor control.

The navigation procedures now essential for the microsurgery of brain tumours have been further refined over recent years. Such computer-assisted operating systems are based initially on image data obtained before the operation, which by means of digital data processing allow comparisons with the findings obtained during the operation. In this way, the tumour can be localised exactly, and the optimum means of access during the operation determined. Neuro-navigation in operations on the brain is one of the major technical innovations of the decade, and looks likely to become the standard technique in the therapy of brain and spinal cord tumours.

Will also benefit from a further safety element in the form of neuro-monitoring, in which the brain functions are monitored during the operation, and can therefore be protected against damage. We also specialise in endocrine neurosurgery, in which certain brain tumours can be removed through the nose, i.e. without opening up the skull.

Vascular neurosurgery (treatment of vascular malformations of the nervous system)
Further major tasks of neurosurgery consist of the treatment of neurovascular diseases: on the one hand, vascular malformations must be prevented by operation, and on the other, pathological vessel-nerve contacts, such as in the case of trigeminus neuralgia, can frequently only be corrected by microsurgical intervention.

In cases in which vascular malformations can also be treated without an operation (so-called coiling), we co-operate very closely with the Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology.

Spinal column surgery
A large proportion of neurosurgical treatments concern the (operative) therapy of intra- and extra-spinal processes. We treat prolapsed discs both conservatively (in co-operation with the Clinic and the Institute for Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine) and also operationally (percutaneously or microsurgically). Spinal column surgery can therefore be applied to all sections of the spinal column.

In addition to degenerative diseases, we also treat spinal tumours and other inflammatory conditions of the spinal canal and spinal cord.

A further important area is stabilising spinal column surgery (e.g. in the case of fractures or tumours) and the replacement of whole vertebra. We naturally also offer any necessary follow-up treatment here at the Clinic.

Child neurosurgery and treatment of malformations
In the treatment of complex malformations of the neurocranium and viscerocranium, we co-operate closely with the related specialist disciplines such as mandibular and facial plastic surgery. The close proximity to the Centre for Infants and Children and Child Surgery, with its own intensive care ward, is also of great benefit for our young patients and their parents.

Pain therapy
Operational pain therapy of chronic pain which cannot be controlled with medications, such as in the case of tumour pains or trigeminal neuralgia, is yet another specialisation of our Clinic.

The co-operation with all other specialist disciplines of the Nuremberg Clinic offers you the greatest possible security. Particularly if you also need to be treated by other specialist departments in addition to the Neurosurgical Clinic. Transfer to another hospital is not necessary - and we keep in contact with you at all times. We can therefore guarantee you genuinely comprehensive, expert and reliable care from the very beginning of your stay.

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