Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic

Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic provides specialized surgical evaluation and treatment for conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and other structures of the nervous system. Neurosurgeons work with neurologists, neuroradiologists, rehabilitation specialists and other medical professionals to develop individualized treatment plans that may include minimally invasive procedures, complex surgery, tumor treatment, vascular procedures and spinal surgery when clinically appropriate.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of neurosurgery depends on the type and complexity of the neurological condition, specialist consultation, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, surgical procedure, anesthesia, hospitalization, specialized equipment, rehabilitation and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Neurosurgery?

Neurosurgery is a specialized surgical field focused on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and other structures of the nervous system.

Neurosurgeons may treat conditions using surgical and minimally invasive techniques when appropriate. Treatment decisions are based on the patient's diagnosis, symptoms, imaging findings, overall health and individual medical needs.

Conditions Evaluated and Treated

Neurosurgery may address:

• Brain tumors

• Spinal cord tumors

• Brain aneurysms

• Arteriovenous malformations

• Hydrocephalus

• Epilepsy requiring surgery

• Spinal disorders

• Spinal cord compression

• Nerve compression

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Traumatic spinal injuries

• Peripheral nerve disorders

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Movement disorders requiring surgical treatment

• Degenerative spine conditions

• Complex neurological conditions

Neurosurgical Evaluation

A neurosurgical evaluation may include:

• Detailed medical history

• Neurological examination

• Review of symptoms

• Review of previous diagnoses

• Assessment of previous treatments

• Review of MRI scans

• Review of CT scans

• Review of other diagnostic imaging

• Review of laboratory results

• Assessment of surgical options

• Evaluation of potential risks and benefits

The purpose is to determine whether surgery is appropriate and identify the most suitable treatment approach.

Brain Surgery

Brain surgery may be considered for selected conditions affecting the brain.

Procedures may include:

• Tumor removal

• Brain lesion surgery

• Epilepsy surgery

• Vascular neurosurgery

• Aneurysm treatment

• Arteriovenous malformation treatment

• Hydrocephalus procedures

• Minimally invasive brain procedures

The specific surgical approach depends on the location, size and nature of the condition.

Brain Tumor Neurosurgery

Neurosurgeons may evaluate and surgically treat selected brain tumors.

Treatment may involve:

• Tumor biopsy

• Tumor removal

• Surgical debulking

• Minimally invasive tumor procedures

• Complex tumor surgery

• Surgery followed by additional oncology treatment when appropriate

The surgical strategy depends on the tumor type, location, size and relationship to important brain structures.

Spinal Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery may address conditions affecting the spine and spinal cord.

Procedures may include:

• Spinal decompression

• Spinal fusion

• Disk surgery

• Treatment of spinal tumors

• Spinal cord decompression

• Complex spinal reconstruction

• Minimally invasive spinal procedures

The appropriate procedure depends on the diagnosis and severity of the spinal condition.

Spinal Cord Compression Treatment

Spinal cord compression may result from tumors, degenerative conditions, trauma or other structural problems.

Neurosurgical evaluation may determine whether treatment requires:

• Decompression

• Stabilization

• Tumor removal

• Spinal fusion

• Other surgical intervention

Urgent evaluation may be required when spinal cord compression produces significant or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms.

Brain Aneurysm Surgery

Some brain aneurysms may require specialized neurosurgical treatment.

Depending on the aneurysm and patient's condition, treatment may include:

• Surgical clipping

• Endovascular treatment

• Other vascular procedures

Treatment selection depends on aneurysm characteristics, neurological status and overall medical considerations.

Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment

An arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal connection between blood vessels that may occur in the brain or spinal cord.

Treatment may involve:

• Microsurgical removal

• Endovascular treatment

• Stereotactic radiosurgery

• Combination treatment

The treatment strategy depends on the location, size and characteristics of the vascular malformation.

Epilepsy Neurosurgery

Some patients with epilepsy that does not respond adequately to medication may be evaluated for surgical treatment.

Evaluation may involve:

• Detailed seizure history

• Neurological examination

• EEG testing

• Brain MRI

• Functional brain assessment

• Seizure monitoring

• Specialized neurological testing

Selected patients may be considered for procedures designed to reduce seizure frequency or severity.

Hydrocephalus Surgery

Hydrocephalus involves abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in or around the brain.

Neurosurgical treatment may include:

• Ventricular shunt placement

• Endoscopic procedures

• Endoscopic third ventriculostomy

• Other cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures

Treatment depends on the cause and type of hydrocephalus.

Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Neurosurgery may also address certain disorders involving peripheral nerves.

Surgical treatment may include:

• Nerve decompression

• Nerve repair

• Nerve grafting

• Nerve reconstruction

• Treatment of nerve tumors

The appropriate procedure depends on the location and extent of nerve injury or disease.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery

Patients with severe trigeminal neuralgia that does not respond adequately to conservative treatment may undergo specialized evaluation.

Potential procedures may include:

• Microvascular decompression

• Stereotactic radiosurgery

• Other specialized interventions

Treatment selection depends on the cause of symptoms and individual clinical circumstances.

Movement Disorder Neurosurgery

Selected patients with movement disorders may be evaluated for surgical treatment.

Procedures may include:

• Deep brain stimulation

• Implantation of specialized neurological devices

• Other targeted surgical procedures

Surgical evaluation may be considered for appropriately selected patients with conditions such as Parkinson's disease or certain other movement disorders.

Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

When clinically appropriate, neurosurgeons may use minimally invasive techniques designed to access the affected area while limiting disruption to surrounding tissues.

Potential benefits may include:

• Smaller surgical approaches

• Reduced tissue disruption

• Potentially shorter recovery

• Reduced postoperative discomfort in selected cases

Not every neurological condition is suitable for minimally invasive surgery.

Advanced Neurosurgical Technology

Complex neurosurgical procedures may use advanced technology to improve surgical planning and precision.

Depending on the procedure, this may include:

• Advanced MRI

• CT imaging

• Intraoperative imaging

• Surgical navigation

• Computer-assisted planning

• Microscopic visualization

• Specialized monitoring

• Robotic or image-guided technologies when appropriate

Technology selection depends on the diagnosis and surgical requirements.

Pre-Surgical Neurosurgical Planning

Before surgery, the neurosurgical team may review:

• Medical history

• Neurological examination

• MRI scans

• CT scans

• Angiography when indicated

• Laboratory results

• Previous treatments

• Medication history

• Surgical risks

• Expected outcomes

Detailed planning helps determine the safest and most appropriate surgical approach.

Intraoperative Neurological Monitoring

Certain complex neurosurgical procedures may require monitoring of neurological function during surgery.

Monitoring may help the surgical team assess important neurological pathways while operating near critical structures.

The type of monitoring depends on the surgical procedure and patient's condition.

Neurosurgery for Traumatic Brain Injury

Selected traumatic brain injuries may require neurosurgical evaluation and treatment.

Surgical management may be considered for conditions such as:

• Intracranial bleeding

• Brain swelling

• Skull fractures

• Pressure on the brain

• Other traumatic structural injuries

Treatment depends on the severity and nature of the injury.

Neurosurgery for Spinal Trauma

Traumatic spinal injuries may require specialized surgical evaluation.

Treatment may involve:

• Spinal decompression

• Fracture stabilization

• Spinal fixation

• Spinal fusion

• Treatment of spinal cord compression

The treatment strategy depends on the location and severity of the spinal injury.

Complex Neurosurgery

Complex neurosurgical conditions may require multidisciplinary evaluation and advanced surgical planning.

Complex cases may include:

• Large or difficult-to-access brain tumors

• Complex vascular abnormalities

• Revision neurosurgery

• Multiple neurological conditions

• Complex spinal disorders

• Tumors involving critical neurological structures

• Conditions requiring combined treatment approaches

Revision Neurosurgery

Patients who have undergone previous neurological surgery may require evaluation for persistent symptoms, recurrence or surgical complications.

Revision neurosurgery may address:

• Recurrent disease

• Persistent compression

• Surgical complications

• Hardware-related problems

• Recurrent tumors

• Scar tissue or structural changes

• Failed previous treatment

The surgical approach depends on the underlying condition and previous procedures.

Multidisciplinary Neurosurgical Care

Complex neurological conditions may require collaboration among:

• Neurosurgeons

• Neurologists

• Neuroradiologists

• Neuro-oncologists

• Radiation specialists

• Rehabilitation specialists

• Neuropsychologists

• Physical therapists

• Other medical specialists

A multidisciplinary approach allows specialists to consider multiple treatment options and coordinate care when appropriate.

Post-Surgical Neurosurgical Rehabilitation

Recovery following neurosurgery may require specialized rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation may focus on:

• Mobility

• Strength

• Balance

• Coordination

• Speech and communication

• Cognitive function

• Daily activities

• Functional independence

The rehabilitation program depends on the type of surgery and the patient's neurological condition.

Recovery After Neurosurgery

Recovery varies according to:

• Type of procedure

• Location of surgery

• Underlying diagnosis

• Neurological condition

• Patient's overall health

• Presence of complications

• Rehabilitation requirements

Some patients may require inpatient care and rehabilitation, while others may continue recovery through outpatient follow-up.

Second Opinion for Neurosurgery

Patients who have already received a surgical recommendation may seek a neurosurgical second opinion.

The specialist may review:

• MRI scans

• CT scans

• Angiography

• Previous surgical reports

• Pathology results

• Neurological examination findings

• Previous treatments

• Proposed surgical plan

A second opinion may help clarify whether surgery is appropriate and what alternative treatment options may exist.

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant medical documentation whenever possible.

Useful records may include:

• Neurology reports

• Neurosurgical reports

• MRI scans

• CT scans

• Angiography

• EEG results

• Laboratory results

• Previous surgical reports

• Pathology reports

• Current medication list

Complete medical information can help the neurosurgical team understand the patient's history and previous treatment.

Benefits of Specialized Neurosurgery

Specialized neurosurgical care may help:

• Evaluate complex neurological conditions

• Determine whether surgery is appropriate

• Treat selected brain disorders

• Treat selected spinal conditions

• Address tumors affecting the nervous system

• Treat selected vascular neurological conditions

• Manage nerve compression and injury

• Provide minimally invasive treatment when appropriate

• Develop individualized surgical plans

• Coordinate multidisciplinary neurological care

• Support postoperative rehabilitation

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Neurosurgery?

Mayo Clinic provides specialized neurosurgical care for complex conditions involving the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. Neurosurgeons work with neurologists, radiologists, rehabilitation specialists and other medical professionals to evaluate patients and develop individualized treatment strategies.

Depending on the condition, treatment may involve advanced surgical techniques, minimally invasive approaches, specialized imaging, complex reconstruction, neurological monitoring and postoperative rehabilitation.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of neurosurgery depends on the diagnosis and treatment required.

Potential costs may include:

• Neurosurgical consultation

• Neurological evaluation

• Diagnostic imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Specialized diagnostic procedures

• Surgical procedure

• Anesthesia

• Hospitalization

• Specialized surgical equipment

• Medications

• Rehabilitation

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual surgical plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What conditions does neurosurgery treat?

Neurosurgery may treat selected conditions involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and nervous system, including brain tumors, spinal disorders, vascular conditions, hydrocephalus, epilepsy and certain nerve disorders.

2. Does neurosurgery always involve brain surgery?

No. Neurosurgery includes procedures involving the brain, spine, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The appropriate procedure depends on the patient's diagnosis.

3. What types of brain surgery are performed?

Depending on the condition, brain surgery may include tumor surgery, vascular procedures, epilepsy surgery, hydrocephalus procedures and other specialized interventions.

4. Can neurosurgery treat spinal conditions?

Yes. Neurosurgeons may treat selected spinal conditions involving the spinal cord, nerves, disks, vertebrae and surrounding structures.

5. Is minimally invasive neurosurgery available?

Minimally invasive techniques may be used for selected conditions when clinically appropriate. The surgical approach depends on the diagnosis, anatomy and patient's medical needs.

6. Can I get a second opinion before neurosurgery?

Yes. Patients may seek a neurosurgical second opinion based on their diagnosis, imaging studies, previous treatment and proposed surgical plan.

7. Can international patients receive neurosurgical care?

Yes. International patients can seek specialized neurosurgical evaluation and treatment and should provide previous medical records, imaging and relevant diagnostic results whenever possible.

8. How long is recovery after neurosurgery?

Recovery varies depending on the type of surgery, underlying condition, location of treatment, overall health and rehabilitation requirements.

9. How much does neurosurgery cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on consultation, diagnostic testing, surgery, anesthesia, hospitalization, rehabilitation and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Neurosurgery

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Neurology & Neurosurgery

Service Type: Neurosurgery

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA