Lumbar microdiscectomy surgery for a left L4-5 herniated disc in a patient with severe left leg pain and ankle weakness. ⠀ ⠀ The First picture shows the swollen, compressed L5 nerve root before discectomy (arrow). ⠀ ⠀ The Second picture shows the herniated disc material during removal from below the L5 nerve root. ⠀ ⠀…
Brain metastasis is a growth that appears in the brain from cancer that originates elsewhere in the body. A brain metastasis is not the same thing as a primary brain tumor because those begin in the brain. While any cancer can spread to the brain, the most common cancers that cause metastases are lung, breast,…
Sometimes the very best technology that we have is not the newest. Awake craniotomies have been performed safely for decades and maybe even centuries (if you count trephinations). Awake craniotomy is a simple and elegant procedure that has become even better with modern pharmacology. The core principles of the procedure have remained the same since…
Also known as tic douloureux, trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition affecting the trigeminal nerve. The nerve provides sensations in the face including the forehead, eyes, mouth, sinus cavities, and jaw. The condition occurs when a blood vessel compresses on the nerve. It causes pain during face-related activities such as teeth brushing, face washing, eating…
The cervical spine refers to the neck region of the spine that supports the body. In a relaxed position, the typical cervical spine has a “C” shaped curve called lordosis. The opening of the curve goes toward the back of the neck. Kyphosis is the opposite of lordosis. Cervical means relating to the neck. While…