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+41 22 366 96 04
A lumbar herniated disc is a relatively common condition that can lead to the compression of one or more nerve roots, causing radiculopathy, which may or may not be associated with sensory or motor deficits. In most cases, treatment involving physiotherapy, postural hygiene, pain relief, anti-inflammatory therapy, and, in some instances, corticosteroid treatment (potentially delivered via injection) helps alleviate the pain. When a correlation between symptoms and MRI findings is established, and if a sudden or progressively worsening motor neurological deficit occurs despite medication, or if the pain remains poorly controlled despite effective non-surgical treatment for four to six months, neurosurgical intervention is recommended.
A cervical herniated disc can lead to the compression of a cervical nerve root (radiculopathy, with or without sensory and/or motor deficits) or the spinal cord (myelopathy). In most cases, non-surgical treatment effectively alleviates the symptoms. In cases of radiculopathy, surgical intervention is recommended when a correlation between symptoms and MRI findings is established or if a sudden or progressively worsening motor neurological deficit (weakness) develops despite medical treatment. Surgery is also considered if pain remains poorly controlled after six to eight months of appropriate medical management. Symptomatic cervical myelopathy requires immediate surgical intervention.
Lumbar canal stenosis occurs when the canal through which the nerve roots pass to innervate the lower limbs becomes too narrow, often due to osteoarthritis, making walking difficult. The lower limbs may give way, resulting in a limp, which can be associated with pain in the legs. Initially, this may not be a significant concern, but over time, the condition tends to worsen, and walking distance may decrease, sometimes drastically. When the situation becomes disabling, and an MRI reveals a narrowed lumbar canal, surgery aimed at re-expanding the canal may be indicated.
The cervical canal is the passageway for the spinal cord, which connects the brain to the rest of the body, providing both sensory and motor innervation. When the canal becomes too narrow, often due to osteoarthritis or a herniated disc, the spinal cord can become compressed, disrupting the electrical signals between the body and the brain. This condition, known as myelopathy, can make control of the lower limbs, and sometimes the arms and hands, difficult. Fine motor skills may become imprecise, and there may be difficulty feeling the ground beneath the feet. When a correlation between these symptoms and a narrowed cervical canal is established, surgery to re-expand the cervical canal may be necessary.
Intracranial meningiomas account for 30 to 40% of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours. The diagnosis of an intracranial meningioma may require neurosurgical intervention within a multidisciplinary team, which may include radiotherapists, pathologists, and, in some cases, oncologists. The wide range of clinical presentations, locations, and varying degrees of tumour aggressiveness make intracranial meningiomas a heterogeneous surgical condition, necessitating individualised management tailored to each patient.
An intracranial aneurysm occurs when an artery in the brain abnormally dilates due to high blood pressure, forming a pouch, typically at a bifurcation of the artery, where blood flow is most turbulent (similar to a river splitting into two branches, creating whirlpools at the junction). This bulge, known as an aneurysm, has an abnormal and fragile wall, which can expand, thin out, and ultimately rupture. Nowadays, most aneurysms are discovered incidentally during MRIs conducted for unrelated reasons. When this occurs, the neurosurgeon will consult with the patient to determine the most appropriate course of action: either monitoring the aneurysm or excluding it through treatment.
Occasionally, a tumour may develop within the brain or, less commonly, in the spinal cord. The symptoms will vary depending on the location of the lesion. For instance, a lesion in the language area of the brain may result in difficulties with word retrieval or comprehension. A lesion in the sensory area may cause abnormal sensations in the body, such as tingling, electric shocks, or a reduction in sensitivity. In some cases, these lesions may require surgical removal. When surgery is necessary, it is performed using a highly selective ultrasound aspirator, with the surgeon operating under a microscope. A neurologist, present in the operating theater, measures the brain’s electrical signals in the arms and legs, ensuring that motor and sensory functions are preserved throughout the procedure.
Spinal tumours are malignant lesions affecting the vertebrae. Unfortunately, they are most often metastases from other cancers, such as those of the lung, breast, or prostate. These lesions can be painful and, in some cases, may compress the spinal cord or the nerve roots, leading to symptoms in the upper and lower limbs. When this occurs, a multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, oncologists, and radiotherapists is essential. Surgical intervention may be required to remove as much of the tumour as possible and to stabilise the vertebrae.
The nerves in the body, including those in the upper and lower limbs, are encased in an insulating sheath. Tumours can develop within this sheath, most of which are benign but can cause pain. In some cases, surgical removal of these tumours may be required.
A lumbar herniated disc is a relatively common condition that can lead to the compression of one or more nerve roots, causing radiculopathy, which may or may not be associated with sensory or motor deficits. In most cases, treatment involving physiotherapy, postural hygiene, pain relief, anti-inflammatory therapy, and, in some instances, corticosteroid treatment (potentially delivered via injection) helps alleviate the pain. When a correlation between symptoms and MRI findings is established, and if a sudden or progressively worsening motor neurological deficit occurs despite medication, or if the pain remains poorly controlled despite effective non-surgical treatment for four to six months, neurosurgical intervention is recommended.
A cervical herniated disc can lead to the compression of a cervical nerve root (radiculopathy, with or without sensory and/or motor deficits) or the spinal cord (myelopathy). In most cases, non-surgical treatment effectively alleviates the symptoms. In cases of radiculopathy, surgical intervention is recommended when a correlation between symptoms and MRI findings is established or if a sudden or progressively worsening motor neurological deficit (weakness) develops despite medical treatment. Surgery is also considered if pain remains poorly controlled after six to eight months of appropriate medical management. Symptomatic cervical myelopathy requires immediate surgical intervention.
Lumbar canal stenosis occurs when the canal through which the nerve roots pass to innervate the lower limbs becomes too narrow, often due to osteoarthritis, making walking difficult. The lower limbs may give way, resulting in a limp, which can be associated with pain in the legs. Initially, this may not be a significant concern, but over time, the condition tends to worsen, and walking distance may decrease, sometimes drastically. When the situation becomes disabling, and an MRI reveals a narrowed lumbar canal, surgery aimed at re-expanding the canal may be indicated.
The cervical canal is the passageway for the spinal cord, which connects the brain to the rest of the body, providing both sensory and motor innervation. When the canal becomes too narrow, often due to osteoarthritis or a herniated disc, the spinal cord can become compressed, disrupting the electrical signals between the body and the brain. This condition, known as myelopathy, can make control of the lower limbs, and sometimes the arms and hands, difficult. Fine motor skills may become imprecise, and there may be difficulty feeling the ground beneath the feet. When a correlation between these symptoms and a narrowed cervical canal is established, surgery to re-expand the cervical canal may be necessary.
Intracranial meningiomas account for 30 to 40% of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours. The diagnosis of an intracranial meningioma may require neurosurgical intervention within a multidisciplinary team, which may include radiotherapists, pathologists, and, in some cases, oncologists. The wide range of clinical presentations, locations, and varying degrees of tumour aggressiveness make intracranial meningiomas a heterogeneous surgical condition, necessitating individualised management tailored to each patient.
An intracranial aneurysm occurs when an artery in the brain abnormally dilates due to high blood pressure, forming a pouch, typically at a bifurcation of the artery, where blood flow is most turbulent (similar to a river splitting into two branches, creating whirlpools at the junction). This bulge, known as an aneurysm, has an abnormal and fragile wall, which can expand, thin out, and ultimately rupture. Nowadays, most aneurysms are discovered incidentally during MRIs conducted for unrelated reasons. When this occurs, the neurosurgeon will consult with the patient to determine the most appropriate course of action: either monitoring the aneurysm or excluding it through treatment.
Occasionally, a tumour may develop within the brain or, less commonly, in the spinal cord. The symptoms will vary depending on the location of the lesion. For instance, a lesion in the language area of the brain may result in difficulties with word retrieval or comprehension. A lesion in the sensory area may cause abnormal sensations in the body, such as tingling, electric shocks, or a reduction in sensitivity. In some cases, these lesions may require surgical removal. When surgery is necessary, it is performed using a highly selective ultrasound aspirator, with the surgeon operating under a microscope. A neurologist, present in the operating theater, measures the brain’s electrical signals in the arms and legs, ensuring that motor and sensory functions are preserved throughout the procedure.
Spinal tumours are malignant lesions affecting the vertebrae. Unfortunately, they are most often metastases from other cancers, such as those of the lung, breast, or prostate. These lesions can be painful and, in some cases, may compress the spinal cord or the nerve roots, leading to symptoms in the upper and lower limbs. When this occurs, a multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, oncologists, and radiotherapists is essential. Surgical intervention may be required to remove as much of the tumour as possible and to stabilise the vertebrae.
The nerves in the body, including those in the upper and lower limbs, are encased in an insulating sheath. Tumours can develop within this sheath, most of which are benign but can cause pain. In some cases, surgical removal of these tumours may be required.