Conditions Treated by a Brain Specialist
Brain specialists are medical doctors who focus mainly on treating conditions that involve the central nervous system, which system includes the brain. Also called neurologists, these professionals are critical for maintaining brain health and getting early diagnoses of degenerative conditions or cancer.
This blog article explores the diseases brain specialists manage, the treatments they offer, and information on scheduling a consultation at Dickinson Neurological Surgery.
Who Is a Brain Specialist?
Brain specialists form a category of medical doctors that includes neurologists (specialists in nerve-based conditions) and neurosurgeons (doctors who focus on brain operations). These experts have additional training that goes beyond that of conventional physicians and general practitioners, enabling them to deal with challenging and complex cases.
Dr. John Dickison is a neurosurgeon at Dickinson Neurological Surgery. Board-certified, he offers many of the latest techniques and procedures to patients in Rexburg and Idaho Falls.
Conditions Treated by Dr. Dickinson
Dr. Dickinson treats multiple conditions that can affect the brain. These include:
Brain tumors
Brain tumors can affect people at any age and spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked. In total, there are over 100 types of brain tumors, each with specific characteristics.
Often resulting from genetic disposition, brain tumors can also come about due to ionizing radiation during CT (computed tomography) scans and X-rays or because of environmental factors, like pollution, diet, and exercise.
Brain abscesses
Dr. Dickinson also treats brain abscesses. These occur when pus (infected tissue) accumulates in a part of the brain in a way that prevents the immune system from removing it fully. Over time, it can lead to increased intracranial pressure, causing issues from headaches to fever.
Brain abscesses almost always form because of bacterial or fungal infections in nearby areas. Pathogens migrate to the brain from the sinuses or ear canal (and sometimes more distant sites) and set up residence. Once there, they can remain for a long time until surgical excision.
Brain bleeds (hemorrhage)
Brain bleeds are another specialist brain condition Dr. Dickinson can treat. These occur when blood vessels in the brain burst or leak, allowing blood to fill the intracranial space. Brain bleeds are dangerous because they can compress brain tissue and shut off blood supply from other regions. Often, brain bleeds lead to weakness, confusion, or a sudden headache.
The main cause of brain bleeding is trauma or high blood pressure (in older adults). However, it can also occur with the use of blood thinners and even illicit substance abuse.
Brain swelling
Dr. Dickinson can also provide professional treatment for brain swelling, a condition that occurs when fluids build up inside the skull and put pressure on the brain and surrounding tissues. The most common symptoms are things like drowsiness and vomiting.
Trauma is a common cause of brain swelling. However, this condition may also occur due to tumors, stroke, and, depending on immune system activity, some infections.
Brain Specialist Treatment
Offering specialist diagnostics to help determine brain conditions, Dr. Dickinson uses stereotactic-guided needle brain biopsies. These are performed with a minimally invasive technique that is highly accurate and that enables sampling to get a fuller diagnosis of potential conditions.
In addition to this diagnostic approach, Dr. Dickinson offers the following direct treatments and restorative procedures:
Craniotomy
This treatment involves temporarily removing part of the skull to provide access to the brain. An open skull in a craniotomy procedure permits access for the excision of brain tumors, draining and removal of infected abscess material, and the evacuation of hemorrhages. Craniotomy can also be useful for relieving excess pressure in the brain.
Cranioplasty
A cranioplasty is a type of surgery that restores the skull to its original shape, usually following surgery. It can involve bone grafts and other techniques to improve cosmetic appearance.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
A ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a medical device that Dr. Dickinson can insert into the brain to prevent excessive fluid buildup. The device consists of a series of valves and one-way catheters to drain unwanted fluid from the brain, reducing the risk of headaches and problems with cognition.
Lumboperitoneal shunt
Dr. Dickinson provides lumboperitoneal shunts to transfer cerebrospinal fluid from parts of the lower back to the peritoneal cavity, where the body can absorb it. The technique of implementing lumboperitoneal shunts involves the use of various valves and catheters to direct the flow of fluids in the desired direction. These actions can reduce vision problems and headaches.
For lumboperitoneal shunt treatments, Dr. Dickinson uses CT-guided stealth navigated instrumentation. This means computers guide the placement of devices and instruments during brain surgery, with real-time image tracking and 3D guidance.
Reasons to See a Brain Specialist
There are multiple reasons for an individual to see a brain specialist. Reasons include the recognition of any of the following conditions:
- Sudden headaches that seem to come out of nowhere: These may indicate a bleed on the brain or a blood vessel rupture
- Seizures that are new or get worse: Such seizures may indicate bleeding, swelling, or tumors on the brain
- Memory loss or personality changes: These may suggest swelling or tumors in the frontal lobe
- Confusion and drowsiness: Changes in processing may mean hydrocephalus, infection, or brain swelling due to trauma
- Fever combined with headache: This combination could indicate a brain abscess or meningitis infection
- Issues with walking or balance: These may be symptoms of a brain abscess
Local Brain Specialist Services
Dickinson Neurological Surgery in Idaho Falls and Rexburg provides a range of brain specialist services drawing on the latest techniques and procedures. These services are available to help individuals manage symptoms and to treat conditions caused by various brain conditions.
Dr. Dickinson is a neurosurgeon who graduated from Brigham Young University and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. He completed his training in neurosurgery at the Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. As a healthcare professional, he looks for all possible treatment options before surgical intervention and provides expertise in treating a range of neurosurgical conditions.
Call (208) 542-4181 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.