Brain surgery

Alternative names:

craniotomy; surgery on the brain

Definition:

Surgery to treat brain tissue through an opening (craniotomy) in the skull (cranium).

Description:

The hair on part of the scalp is shaved. An incision is made through the scalp and a hole is drilled through the skull. A piece of the skull may be removed while the brain is being operated on and replaced before the skin is stitched closed.

Indications:

Brain surgery may be needed to treat:

• brain tumors
• bleeding (hemorrhage) or blood clots (hematomas) from injuries (subdural hematoma or epidural hematomas)
• weaknesses in blood vessels (cerebral aneurysms)
• damage to tissues covering the brain (dura)
• pockets of infection in the brain (brain abscesses)
• severe nerve or facial pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux)