- Surgical specialty that involves the surgical management and rehabilitation of any disorder affecting the brain, spinal cord, and any involved nerves and vasculature.
- Education includes an undergraduated degree, four years of graduate school at medical school to obtain and M.D. or D.O. degree, a specialty residency program usually lasting seven years, sometimes followed by a three year fellowship
- Pay is at the top of all physicians and surgeons with an annual income of about $660,664
Common conditions treated:
- malformations, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, any head trauma including skull fractures, infections, tumors, aneurysms, stroke, epilepsy, cancer, congenital malformations, psychiatric disorders, movement disorders, carpal tunnel, carotid artery stenosis
Risks involved:
- Paralysis, brain damage, infection, psychosis, death
- Generally, before any surgery is performed, tests are conducted via CAT, MRI, PET imaging systems
Here is a CAT scan of a brain tumor, which is apparent in the upper right region of the image: