How to Become a Neurosurgeon

Ever since William Williams Keen became the first brain surgeon in the United States, neurosurgeons have been treating patients for injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders of the brain and spinal cord. Although much has changed since Keen performed one of the first brain tumor removals in 1888, the importance of neurosurgeons hasn’t diminished in the slightest. Every year, more than one million adults in the United States are diagnosed with a chronic brain disease or disorder — many of them potentially fatal. For many of these individuals suffering from some form of neuropathy, consulting a neurologist for treatment is the only surefire way to recover.

What Is a Neurosurgeon?

Neurosurgeons are medical specialists who utilize a range of surgical procedures to help patients find relief from their brain- and spine-related injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders. Individuals suffering from tumors, blood clots, traumatic injuries, and neuropathic pain are oftentimes referred to a neurosurgeon for effective treatment. Neurosurgeons are highly specialized medical professionals who are adept at performing complex surgeries, even under pressure. The brain and the spinal cord are integral components of the human anatomy that must be protected at all costs, so neurosurgeons are frequently needed to provide emergency care service.

What Does a Neurosurgeon Do?

The field of neurology centers around a trio of organ system: the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and the intracranial cerebrovascular system. Neurosurgeons treat a variety of conditions that target these important systems. Typically, a neurosurgeon will be brought in when certain conditions are present, including:

Congenital Malformations: anencephaly, aneurysm, hydrocephalus, or spina bifida.

Traumatic Injuries: severe damage to the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, or brain. There are many ways for a traumatic injury to occur, including a skull fracture and a brain hemorrhage.

Benign or Cancerous Tumors: relating to the brain or spine.

Vascular Disorders: arteriovenous malformations and capillary telangiectasia.

CNS Infections: meningitis, encephalitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess.

Degenerative Spinal Disorders: spinal stenosis, spinal muscle atrophy, and spinal disc herniation.

Epilepsy and Movement Disorders: Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.

Treatment-Resistant Psychiatric Disorders: severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, and major depressive disorder.

Intractable Pain: relating to cancer and trauma, among other causes.

Achieving positive patient outcomes as a neurosurgeon is physically and mentally demanding. Successful neurosurgeons possess a balanced skill set combining technical expertise and top flight manual dexterity. Neurosurgeons utilize an array of cutting-edge technologies to diagnose and treat patients. Mastering all of these tools is no small feat, but it is essential to accurately trace symptoms back to their source. This process starts with the formulation of a diagnosis. Neurosurgeons use several testing procedures, including:

Computed tomography (CT): creates three-dimensional renderings of the brain and spinal cord with a computer-assisted X-ray.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): utilizes magnetic and radio waves to create detailed images. MRIs are especially effective for examining soft tissues.

Positron emission tomography (PET): employs the use of a radioactive tracer to assess metabolic functions relating to the nervous system.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG): “maps” the brain by recording the signals transmitted by the nerves with magnetic receptors.

Depending on a patient’s needs, a neurosurgeon can use any of the above imaging tools to aid them in performing both conventional open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Since the conditions of the brain and spine can vary greatly from one another, many types of surgery have been developed to help patients overcome their condition, including:

Conventional Open Surgery: treats emergencies and traumatic injuries of the brain by opening the skull. This allows the surgeon to treat the root of the problem.

Endoscopic Surgery: utilizes a tube-like instrument (endoscope) to transmit live images that guide the surgeon during surgery. Using these images, the surgeon inserts surgical tools through small incisions to treat intracranial bleeds, tumors, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and more.

Microsurgery: removes plaque from the carotid artery that connects to the brain. There are diverse applications for microsurgery. For example, microsurgery can be used to replace herniated spinal discs (microdiscectomy) or reduce pressure on the vertebrae (laminectomy).

Stereotactic Radiosurgery: locates brain tumors and other irregularities with targeted beams of radiation. Then, cameras and electromagnetic fields are used to guide the surgeon through the procedure. Stereotactic radiosurgery can help treat people with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Endovascular Surgery: introduces surgical tools through the femoral artery to treat individuals for several conditions, including stroke, aneurysm, and brain tumors.

Spinal Neurosurgery: describes surgery used to treat the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Spinal cord compression, which is often the result of trauma, arthritis, bone spurs, or disc generation, can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and sleepless nights. To help patients find relief, the surgeon uses special instruments to fix these portions of the spine. Spinal fusion, a procedure in which the bones of the spine are “fused” together, is a popular surgical option for long-term relief.

Neurosurgeon Vs Neurologist

The difference between a neurosurgeon and a neurologist is quite simple: Neurosurgeons perform surgery. But they must often work together to achieve successful patient outcomes. Individuals suffering from stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, epilepsy, headache disorders, infections of the brain and peripheral nervous system may be able to undergo treatment with the help of a neurologist. However, if surgery is required for proper treatment, a neurosurgeon will step in to perform whichever procedure is necessary to correct the issue.

Surprising Facts About Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons are somewhat scarce in the United States. There are less than 4,000 active neurosurgeons in the country who can treat our growing populace of approximately 327.2 million. And the number of people completing their residencies is on the decline, with only around 160 neurosurgery graduates succeeding annually. This is because postgraduate residency training is grueling for neurosurgeons. Only those who are truly dedicated to becoming world-class surgeons are willing to commit to this seven-year gauntlet.

There are many subspecialities of neurosurgery, and many neurosurgeons prefer to practice within these subspecialities specifically. This is another driver for the scarcity of neurosurgeons, not all neurosurgeons have the tools they need to perform successful surgeries dealing with subspecialities. Neurosurgical subspecialties include endoscopic cranial surgery, functional neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, neurovascular surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, skull base neurosurgery, spinal neurosurgery, and stereotactic neurosurgery.

How Do You Become a Neurosurgeon?

Becoming a neurosurgeon is one of the most challenging career endeavors in the world. The path of a neurosurgeon is long and winding, but those with the wherewithal to make it through extensive schooling, a challenging internship, and a comprehensive residency can affect the lives of patients seeking relief for their brain- or spine-related conditions. Here’s a brief breakdown of how an individual becomes a neurosurgeon:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: The first step to attain a Doctor of Medicine is to earn a bachelor’s degree. Generally, aspiring neurosurgeons study biomedical science or other related areas of study. Meeting all of the pre-med prerequisite requirements is a challenge in itself, and maintaining a high GPA is essential to stay competitive against other aspiring neurosurgeons. Passing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during the junior year is also required before proceeding to medical school.
2. Attend Medical School: Next, aspiring neurosurgeons attend medical school for four years. Those who are truly committed to neurosurgery may attempt to take on advanced classes and devote themselves to rotations that allow them to work in close proximity with veteran neurosurgeons.
3. Pass the Medical Licensing Exam: The National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards administered the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Upon completion of medical school, aspiring neurosurgeons must pass this exam. The lion’s share of residency programs utilize these scores to determine who will be granted residency opportunities.
4. Complete an Internship: Neurosurgeons are required to complete a one-year hospital internship. This internship teaches them the ins and outs of managing patients and zeroes in on certain disciplines of neurosurgery that must be developed for optimal patient care.
5. Complete a Neurosurgical Residency Program: After the internship is complete, aspiring neurosurgeons will take on their greatest challenge yet: a residency lasting anywhere from six to eight years. During this residency, they will work side by side with licensed neurosurgeons.
6. Become State Licensed and Board Certified: Applying for licensing through the state’s medical board is the next step to becoming a neurosurgeon. Many neurosurgeons go one step further by applying for Board Certification through the American Board of Neurological Surgery. This is a monumental feat that requires an individual to meet rigorous education and practicum requirements. They must also pass an exam. Being board certified helps a neurosurgeon set themselves apart from their contemporaries while simultaneously showcasing their unparalleled proficiency in the field of neurosurgery.

Neurosurgeons must undergo extensive education and training before they can legally treat patients with injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders of the brain and spinal cord. However, a neurosurgeon’s most important skills may be those that can’t be taught, such as empathy, compassion, and patience. When these qualities are combined with top-tier expertise and unrivaled experience, patients receive the treatment they need to make a full recovery.