Microvascular Decompression

Posted on 10/04/2015Microvascular Decompression

There are 12 nerves which emerge from the brain to supply the head and face, including the optic nerve (for vision), olfactory nerve (for smell). These are called the cranial nerves. The 5th cranial nerve, the trigeminal nerve, looks after sensation in each half of the face. In some unlucky individuals, there can be severe pain affecting one of these ...



Stereotactic Craniotomy

Posted on 10/04/2015Stereotactic Craniotomy

Under computer guidance and using stereotactic principles, any part of the head can be touched by a probe and the position displayed on the CT or MRI brain scan. What are the benefits ? Before the skin is cut, the tumour can be located on the surface of the brain so that the skin incision and bone flap are cut ...



Radiosurgery

Posted on 10/04/2015Radiosurgery

Using computer guidance, many beams of radiation (X-rays and gamma rays) are accurately focused onto a target in the brain. In this way, inaccessible or inoperable lesions can be treated avoiding an operation. The accuracy of the system makes sure important brain structures next to the target receive a much lower dose, and hence there is less risk to the ...



Pituitary Surgery

Posted on 10/04/2015Pituitary Surgery

The pituitary is a gland that hangs down from the base of the brain, into the sphenoid sinus that lies behind the nose. It makes many hormones, including thyroid hormone, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin, anti-diuretic hormone and the sex hormones (FSH/LH & testosterone). Pituitary tumours comprise about 15% of adult brain tumours. Many are found incidentally, when someone has ...



Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted on 10/04/2015Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a chronic painful condition of the wrist area. It is often due to compression of the median nerve by overcrowding of the carpal tunnel canal brought about by the inflammatory swelling of the flexor tendons in the carpal tunnel canal. The main cause of the condition is thought to be swelling of wrist tendon linings, since the nerve is the most vulnerable structure and is not able to function normally when it is squeezed. ...



Dementia

Posted on 10/04/2015Dementia

Mom is getting forgetful and confused, should I be worried? Introduction Being forgetful is often accepted as a part of growing old, so much so that the phrase “senior moment” has been coined to describe lapses of memory encountered by older persons. Just when is it normal to be forgetful and when should we start getting worried? While all of ...



What to Expect in Thyroid Surgery?

Posted on 10/04/2015

The thyroid gland is located on the lower front portion of the neck (Fig 1). It produces thyroid hormone, which simply put, regulates the production of energy in your body. A healthy thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly, with the right and left lobes connected by a bridge called the isthmus. Depending on the reason for surgery, all or ...



What is a Thyroid Lump or Nodule?

Posted on 10/04/2015What is a Thyroid Lump or Nodule?

The thyroid gland is located on the lower front portion of the neck (Fig 1). It produces thyroid hormone, which simply put, regulates the production of energy in your body. A healthy thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly, with the right and left lobes connected by a bridge called the isthmus. Nodules or lumps occur commonly in the thyroid ...



Nosebleeds

Posted on 10/04/2015

Nose bleeds (also known as epistaxis) can occur at any age, but most commonly in young children aged 2-10 years and older adults from 50 years onwards. The nose contains many blood vessels originating from both the internal and external carotid arteries. Many of these vessels end at a specific area located on the lower part of the nasal septum ...



Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Posted on 10/04/2015

What is Nose Cancer (Nasopharyngeal Cancer)? Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) or commonly called ‘nose cancer’, develops in the nasopharynx, an area in the back of the nose toward the base of skull. The nasopharynx lies just above the soft palate, just in the back of the entrance into the nasal passages. NPC is the most common head & neck cancer in ...