Neurology

The brachial plexus is a network of intertwined nerves that control movement and the sensation in the arm and the hand. This nerve comprises of four cervical nerve roots, thoracic courage root, the central trunk and the lower stem. An injury in brachial plexus can damage these nerves causing weakness, loss of sense and create difficulty in the movement of shoulders, arms or hands. Mild brachial plexus injuries can be treated without any surgical methods but the severe injuries demand immediate attention as they require surgery to make the body parts function properly.

Burr holes are small holes that a neurosurgeon makes in the skull. These holes help to relieve pressure on the brain when a blood clot (also called hematomas) builds up and starts to compress the brain tissue. Basically, a layer of thin tissues called meninges surround and help in protecting the brain, these tissues carry blood to and from the brain. In case of a head injury, these blood vessels get tear and bleed. Hematomas usually require removal as they are life threatening in nature, and result in trauma in the head. The major causes for development of a hematoma are older age, excessive alcohol consumption and repetitive injuries to the head.

Ceratoid Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that is used to correct ceratoid stenosis in carotid arteries. These arteries are responsible for carrying oxygen rich blood from heart to the brain and vice a versa. The arteries are located on each side of the neck and are very crucial as they play a key role of supplying blood to the cerebrum of the brain. And, the accumulation of the plaque blocks the supply of the blood into the brain and increases the risk of stroke in the patient. Cerebrum blockage can badly affect your body impacting your personality, motor functions, speech and the sensory organs.

Cranioplasty is the surgical treatment of a defect in the head bone that may occur because of a wound or after any neurosurgery. The deformity in the skull could be congenital as a result of trauma. There are a variety of surgical materials and prosthetics that can be used for a cranioplasty. In the surgery, the bone is removed and replaced using sutures or metal plates. Early cranioplasty is helpful for improving the neurological functions of patients because it helps in correcting the skull deformities at young age and reduces the risk of medical problems related to brain and spine.

Encephalitis causes heavy seizures and mental confusion due to severe inflammation and swelling of the brain tissues. The swelling results in unwanted changes to the neurological functions of the brain. It is mainly caused by mumps, HIV, viruses carried by insects and childhood viruses like chickenpox, rubella and measles. Some common symptoms of Encephalitis are Seizures, Irritability, Fatigue – Loss of Energy, Loss of Appetite, Sensitive Eyes, Muscle Stiffness, Nausea, Prolonged Headaches, etc.

Tests for Encephalitis:

• MRI

• CT or CAT Scans

• Spinal Tap [Lumbar Puncture]

• Blood Tests

• Sputum Culture

• Urine/Stool Test

Epilepsy directly affects the overall quality of life of the patients and their ability to raise a family. The disease is defined by the unprovoked brain seizures. The most effective diagnosis of Epilepsy starts with communication with the patients followed by a series of thorough tests for enabling the doctors to learn more about the severity of the disease. The tests also help in finalizing the treatment procedure. Along with nutritional modifications that reduce the frequency of brain seizures, various brain imaging techniques have also helped the neurologists to recognize the subtle details of the abnormalities that epilepsy creates in the brain.

Surgical Methods:

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation [VNS]

• Responsive Neuro-stimulation [RNS]

• Minimally Invasive Surgeries / Interstitial Thermal Therapies

One of the most unpredictable brain diseases, Multiple Sclerosis disrupts the working structure of the brain – it becomes difficult for the organs to process even the simplest information. It also disables the central nervous system of the patient which hinders the flow of commands within the brain and to different parts of the body. The causes of the disease are still not identified by the doctors and scientists but people who are genetically predisposed to it can experience heavy triggers due to some unidentified environmental factors.

Treating and managing Multiple Sclerosis is a continuous process that begins with the diagnosis of the initial symptoms and continues through the entire treatment course. During the treatment, it is important for the friends and family of the patient to be constantly in contact with doctors and health professionals.

Myasthenia Gravis is caused by a breakdown in the communication channel between the nerves and the muscles and is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue in any of the muscles. This disease can happen to anyone but mostly affects women who are younger than the age of 40 and in men older than 60. Patients suffering from this face symptoms like muscle weakness in eyes, causing double vision or problems in face and throat muscles causing altered speaking and difficulty in swallowing. Many times the antibodies start blocking muscle- specific receptor tyrosine kinase that helps in the formation of the nerve muscular junction. This disrupts the function of the protein giving rise to myasthenia gravis.