Neurosurgery (or neurological surgery) is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders, which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system. It is the discipline of medicine that evaluates and treats the pathological processes, which modify the function or activity of the nervous system.
One of the primary causes for neurosurgery is traumatic brain injury (TBI). In honor of neurosurgery awareness month, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) has published a special edition of their online magazine, featuring articles specific to TBI. Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the AANS is a scientific and educational association with more than 9,000 members worldwide.
The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. Fellows of the AANS are board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, A.C.
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a growing health concern around the world, particularly in developed countries where it is one of the leading causes of death and disability in young adults. A TBI typically results from two types occurrences:
Symptoms of TBI can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on the extent of damage to the brain. According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), about 1.5 million cases of TBI occur in the U.S. every year. Of those cases, approximately 80,000 to 90,000 people experience lifelong disability as a result of their TBI, with about 50,000 cases resulting in death. A recent study conducted by the AAN found that even mild traumatic brain injury, such as concussion, can cause brain damage, with clear signs of continued disruption of brain cells one year after the initial injury.
Increasing efforts to promote research and development of new techniques to help monitor and treat TBI patients will have a significant societal impact. With an estimated 2.4 million TBI-related emergency-department visits in the U.S. each year, members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) want to stress the need for TBI awareness.
Make sure you and your children wear helmets when riding bicycles or playing contact sports, such as football and boxing.