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Brain Surgery

The brain controls and coordinates aware and unconscious body functions, as well as 'higher' functions such as memory, learning and thinking. Like any other part of the body, it is susceptible to bleeding, infection, trauma and other forms of damage. This damage or alteration in brain function sometimes requires brain surgery to diagnose or treat these problems.

Symptoms

The symptoms of conditions requiring brain surgery may vary, depending on the type and severity of the condition. General symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Seizures

Brain conditions may require brain surgery

The main types of brain conditions that may require brain surgery include:

• Alterations of the brain tissue - such as brain cancer, infections and swelling.
• Alterations in brain blood flow - such as subdural haematoma, subarachnoid haemorrhage and intraventricular bleed.
• Alteration in cerebrospinal fluid - such as infection or hydrocephalus.