Categories: Neurology

What makes Neuroendoscopy a game-changer?

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has brought about a huge transformation in the way life-threatening ailments are treated. It has brought hope to millions of patients and their families. To the healthcare fraternity, MIS has helped improve surgical outcomes and created new possibilities inpatient care.

There are numerous types of MIS depending on the organ concerned, the ailment concerned and technicalities involved in the procedure. One such type of MIS is Neuro Endoscopy.

The endoscope is a long, thin, and flexible tube fitted with a camera, and surgical instruments relevant to the outcome desired. The endoscope is negotiated to reach the target site either through natural openings in the body or by making a small incision on the body.

When is Neuroendoscopy used?

Neuroendoscopy is a popular choice of neuro physicians and surgeons, to treat serious conditions of the Central Nervous System which includes the brain and spinal cord, or repair any craniofacial damage. It helps surgeons access those parts of the brain which are hard to access through traditional, incisional surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon makes one or two dime-sized incisions or holes on the skull to insert the endoscope. Alternately, he/she may use the mouth or nose cavities to access the brain through the sinuses.

The procedure can be done to remove a small sample of suspected tumour for further diagnosis. This is called a biopsy. Later, once the tissue is confirmed to be a tumour, the procedure can be done to remove the tumour altogether.

Neuroendoscopy is used to treat a wide range of tumours and cancers, cysts, neurological disorders, neurovascular conditions and trauma-induced damage. This includes:

  • Pineal region tumours
  • Pituitary tumours
  • Skull base tumours
  • Ventricular tumours
  • Acoustic neuromas
  • Ventricular tumours
  • Benign brain tumours
  • Meningiomas
  • Malignant brain tumours or brain cancer
  • Glomus tumours
  • Sinus cancer
  • Pseudo tumours or false tumours
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Bell’s palsy
  • Spasmodic torticollis
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Cushing’s disease
  • Hemifacial Spasm
  • Optic nerve compression
  • Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
  • Facial bone and skull fractures
  • Osteosarcoma of the skull base
  • Rathke’s cleft cysts
  • Brain aneurysms
  • Arteriovenous malformations
  • Hemorrhagic stroke

Benefits of Neuro Endoscopy over traditional surgery

  • Access those areas of the brain that are hard to reach with traditional surgery
  • Remove a tumour without damaging other parts of the brain or skull
  • Quicker or shorter recovery times
  • Reduced risk of side effects and low rate of complications
  • Smaller Incisions or cuts
  • Lesser pain and quicker healing
  • Reduced risk of infection
  • Reduced risk of brain trauma, that is lesser disruption to surrounding tissues and muscles
  • Shorter hospital stay

Risks

There is a certain amount of risk associated with any surgical procedure and this is true of Neuro Endoscopy as well. Some of them are:

  • Brain haemorrhage or bleeding in brain tissue
  • Increased intracranial pressure due to the procedure or due to haemorrhage caused by the procedure
  • Infection at the site of the cut or incision
  • Temporary or permanent impairment of functions such as memory, speech, vision, coordination, balance, etc.
  • Blood clot, swelling or nerve damage
  • Seizure, stroke or coma
  • Complications from anaesthesia

Diagnosing conditions for Neuro endoscopy

Each of the ailments listed above have their own unique symptoms, so there are a whole lot of signs and symptoms that may call for a Neuro Endoscopy to be done. The neurologists, oncologists or other relevant specialists on the case will call for one or more of the following to rule out or confirm a particular condition.

  • Imaging tests such as MRI, CT, PET and PET-CT scans
  • A cerebral angiogram or arteriogram
  • Tissue sampling (biopsy) and/or molecular testing of the tumour
  • Lumbar puncture or spinal tap
  • Myelogram or myelography
  • Tests to assess vision, hearing and other senses
  • Neuro-cognitive assessment for brain function
  • Electroencephalography (EEG)

Neuro Endoscopy is here to stay

Given the range of conditions that can be treated using this procedure and the benefits it offers, Neuroendoscopy is here to stay! If you or any of your dear ones are diagnosed with a neurological condition or have suffered any craniofacial damage, do not panic. Contact a reputed hospital. Such hospitals have some of the best Neurologists on their rolls. These specialists will assess your condition precisely and perform a relevant procedure such as Neuroendoscopy for quick recovery and rehabilitation.

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801

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