Brain astrocytoma diagnosis in Nuremberg Hospital

About the department

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery at the Nuremberg Hospital offers the full range of medical services in the fields of its competence. The department's team of doctors specializes in the surgical treatment of all diseases of the nervous system and also brilliantly performs operations for spinal diseases. The medical facility has an experienced team of pediatric neurosurgeons who perform surgery for brain tumors, hydrocephalus, vascular malformations of the brain, and other diseases. The department's specialists use state-of-the-art medical equipment to provide patients with the most effective treatment, in particular surgical microscopes, neuronavigation, laser devices, intraoperative ultrasound, equipment for stereotactic procedures, electrophysiological intraoperative monitoring, intraoperative fluorescence imaging, etc. A successful treatment outcome is facilitated by close interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in neurology, neuroradiology, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and trauma surgery. Neurosurgeons thoroughly plan each operation and discuss the details of the upcoming surgical treatment with their patients to be able to meet all their needs and wishes. The Head Physician of the department is Prof. Dr. med. Karl-Michael Schebesch.

One of the department's key areas of specialization is the surgical treatment of brain tumors. The department's neurosurgeons have long experience treating gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and brain metastases. Brain tumors at their early stages may not cause any symptoms, but as they grow, they compress vital nerve centers, leading to acute symptoms such as sensory and balance disorders, double vision or visual impairment, speech disorders, epileptic seizures, paralysis, etc. At the diagnostic stage, CT and/or MRI scans play a crucial role in detecting suspected brain tumors. During the elaboration of treatment tactics, the department’s doctors always take into account the type of tumor, its stage, size, and location, as well as the patient's age, general health condition, and the presence of comorbidities.

In most cases, a complete cure or long-term remission of brain cancer can only be achieved with the help of tumor resection surgery. At the same time, it is extremely important for the department's surgeons to perform the operation not only effectively but also safely for the patient, so special attention is paid to planning surgery. For example, the specialists often use navigated brain stimulation, which allows them to assess the proximity of the tumor to vital nerve centers and thereby minimize the risk of patient disability. State-of-the-art equipment, including computer-assisted navigation systems, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, surgical microscopes, intraoperative fluorescence imaging, and other devices, is also used directly during surgery. As a rule, brain tumor resection surgery is performed using minimally invasive or endoscopic techniques. During interdisciplinary tumor boards, doctors may also prescribe adjuvant conservative therapy, namely radiation therapy, chemotherapy, alternating electric field therapy, etc.

The department also successfully performs surgery for neurovascular diseases, including brain aneurysms, angiomas, cavernomas, and other pathologies. Clinical cases of patients with the above-mentioned pathologies are considered in close cooperation with neuroradiologists. The specialists cooperatively assess the patient's diagnostic data and determine whether open surgery or endovascular treatment (using an image-guided vascular approach) is required. If a decision is made to perform surgery, microsurgical techniques are most often used. The imaging of the cerebral vessels is provided by intraoperative infrared fluorescent video angiography.

The department's operating rooms are adapted for neurosurgical interventions in young patients. Of particular interest in the field of pediatric neurosurgery is the treatment of brain tumors, hydrocephalus, vascular malformations, cranial malformations, meningomyelocele, Arnold-Chiari malformations, etc. Whenever required, pediatricians, pediatric oncologists, pediatric surgeons, and other specialists may be involved in the therapeutic process. Most surgical interventions for diseases of the nervous system in children are performed using minimally invasive, microsurgical, and endoscopic techniques. The department's specialists widely use neuronavigation, neuromonitoring, intraoperative ultrasound imaging, and other technical options that ensure high accuracy and safety of surgical manipulations.

Spinal surgery is an integral part of the department's daily clinical practice. The department has gained impressive experience in the surgical treatment of spinal diseases, including herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis, vertebral fractures, compression syndrome, spondylolisthesis, and spinal and spinal cord tumors. Spinal surgery is performed in the medical facility using minimally traumatic surgical techniques under CT and intraoperative 3D imaging guidance. The risks for the patient in the postoperative period are therefore almost zero, and mobility is restored as soon as possible.

The department's key clinical focuses include:

• Adult neurosurgery
  • Surgical treatment of brain tumors
    • Gliomas
    • Meningiomas
    • Pituitary tumors
    • Brain metastases
  • Surgical treatment of neurovascular diseases
    • Brain aneurysms
    • Angiomas
    • Cavernomas
  • Surgical treatment of hydrocephalus
  • Surgical treatment of chronic pain and movement disorders of neurological origin
    • Sudeck's syndrome
    • Pain syndrome caused by peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs
    • Pain syndrome caused by amputation
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Tremor
    • Dystonia
    • Spasticity
• Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Surgical treatment of brain tumors
  • Surgical treatment of hydrocephalus
  • Surgical treatment of vascular malformations
  • Surgical treatment of cranial malformations
  • Surgical treatment of meningomyelocele
  • Surgical treatment of Arnold-Chiari malformation
• Spinal surgery
  • Surgical treatment of herniated discs
  • Surgical treatment of spinal stenosis
  • Surgical treatment of vertebral fractures
  • Surgical treatment of compression syndromes
  • Surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis
  • Surgical treatment of intervertebral joint osteoarthritis and cysts
  • Surgical treatment of inflammatory lesions of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
  • Surgical treatment of spinal vascular malformations
  • Surgical treatment of spinal and spinal cord tumors
• Other medical services