+41 22 366 96 04
+41 22 366 96 04
Dr Corniola is a neurosurgeon specialising in cranial and spinal procedures, including the management of herniated discs. He holds a specialist qualification in spinal surgery awarded by the FMH and undertook two and a half years of advanced training in complex skull base surgery and vascular neurosurgery.
A common reason for referral to a neurosurgical specialist, a herniated disc is a neurosurgical condition. It arises from degeneration of an intervertebral disc, which then compresses a nerve root. This can lead to pain in the arms or legs, as well as sensory disturbances or weakness affecting your sensory experience and your mobility.
Clinical characteristics include:
Herniated discs do not always require surgery; however, in cases of severe pain, paralysis, or significant neurological symptoms, surgical removal of the disc may be necessary.
Marco V. Corniola, FMH neurosurgeon, completed his medical studies at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva. Following residency training in neurosurgery and otorhinolaryngology at Lausanne University Hospital, he obtained his FMH specialist qualification in neurosurgery in 2016.
Appointed attending physician at the University Hospitals in 2016, he undertook a research programme on intracranial meningiomas and was awarded the title of Privatdozent by the Faculty of Medicine in Geneva.
A member of the Swiss Society of Neurosurgery, with a strong interest in research and innovation and a focus on combining technological advances with cutting-edge surgical practice, he was appointed associate professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Rennes in 2021, before serving as head of department at Rennes University Hospital until 2023.
The intervertebral disc is composed of water and collagen and is not vascularised. Over the years, the disc loses water content (a process known as dehydration), which causes it to weaken. The outer layer of the disc (the annulus fibrosus) can rupture, causing the disc to protrude from its normal position.
Here’s how to diagnose a herniated disc:
When surgical emergency criteria are not met, conservative treatment is the first line of approach. If radicular pain persists despite four to six months of treatment, surgical intervention in a hospital setting may be considered.
If you experience loss of strength, difficulty controlling urination, or if painkillers are not providing relief.
In certain cases, an injection may help relieve pain, either temporarily or permanently. Your neurosurgeon will discuss this option with you if you are eligible.
Not particularly. Like any surgery, there are small risks of post-operative hematoma and infection.
A neurosurgeon is the appropriate specialist for treating a herniated disc. This back condition occurs when the gel-like nucleus inside the intervertebral disc pushes through its outer layer, putting pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. Patients with a herniated disc may experience pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. In cases where surgery is needed, an operation may be recommended to relieve the compression on the nerves or spinal cord. Neurosurgeons specialising in spinal trauma are trained to treat these back conditions using advanced surgical techniques to access the spinal canal and address the herniated disc. For more information on available techniques and treatments, it is recommended to consult a neurosurgeon who specialises in spinal and nerve pathologies.