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Cervical Disc Replacement

A set of 7 bones, called cervical vertebrae, make up our spine and these are placed on top of each other. These disks act like cushion, absorbing shocks along the cervical vertebrae and allow the neck to move freely. When these cervical disks get damaged or worn, the space between the vertebrae becomes smaller and narrower. This may cause some part of the cervical disk to put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves which can cause pain, numbness or weakness. When the patient fails to get any relief through nonsurgical treatments, cervical disk surgery is recommended. What is it? Cervical disk replacement is a procedure that involves removing a damaged cervical disc and replacing it with a metal or polymer prosthetic. The spine surgeon in Chandigarh will first make a cut in the side of the neck and move any tissue that’s coming in the way. The damaged disc is then removed along with any bone spurs. After this is done, an artificial or prosthetic disk is inserted and the surgeon closes the incision. Cervical disk replacement is also known as arthroplasty or artificial disc replacement. Symptoms of Cervical Disk Degeneration It is quite common to experience the space between the cervical vertebrae getting narrow after a neck injury. However, it is also common for people above 60 to have their cervical disk collapse and bulge as part of the natural ageing process. An interesting thing to note here is that many doctors don’t know why some people show […]

Spinal Tuberculosis (TB)/Potts spine.

TB is generally perceived in general population as a lung disease. However this disease also affects other parts of the body such as abdomen, bones especially spine, Brain and even skin. 5-10% of the total TB patients in India suffer from Bone TB. Spinal TB is generally ignored and diagnosed late due to lack of awareness. The most common and early symptom of spine TB is back pain. It is generally ignored by patients thinking of normal back pain due to spondylosis/ arthritic pain. But most patients of arthritic pain get relieved in night on rest, whereas those due to TB, pain gets increased in night on rest. Patients with TB in their bones might or might not exhibit general symptoms of tuberculosis such as fever, fatigue, night sweats, lack of appetite and unexplained weight loss. Although about half of all patients with bone TB also have infected lungs, the disease is usually not active in lungs. Most patients with bone TB do not suffer from coughing and probably do not suspect that they have tuberculosis. At times, it may take months to year for initial symptoms to show. Diagnosis is usually missed on plain Xrays. TB can be picked early only by MRI of the affected spine, with due suspicion in mind. Also, patients with bone TB are generally not contagious to family members living together or other people because the disease spreads through coughed-up active virus particles, unless you come in contact with a patient’s pus. Unlike TB […]

Minimally invasive spinal surgery(MISS) for spinal tumors- Newer technique.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is being done for a lot of spinal problems such as cervical and lumbar disc extrusions, lumbar canal stenosis, vertebral fractures and spondylolisthesis. After a good experience and expertise in all these , Dr Anil Dhingra- Spine surgeon in chandigarh, Tricity can perform surgery of spinal tumors of any type with Endoscopic or minimally invasive spinal surgery. Extradural spinal tumors, Intradural extramedullary tumors such as neurofibromas , meningiomas can be removed by this procedure. Advantages of MISS – Small incision 2cm (compared to 10-12 cm incision in open surgery) Little blood loss. Little muscle cutting and little normal bone loss helping in maintaining postoperative spinal stability. little postoperative pain. Rapid recovery and fast wound healing. No significant postoperative back stiffness. Short hospital stay. Infrastructure Requirements – The basic tenents or need for the procedure is Good illumination, Magnification and best Instrumentation and hospital infra-structure without which it’s not possible. Most important of all this is expertise in this field. Procedure steps– After paint/ drape under general anaesthesia , 2 cm. incision is given over the back. Sequential tubular dilators are inserted over required one side of the lamina. Quadrant retractor system is applied. A wider view is seen inside under endoscopic/ microscopic vision and illumination. Hemilaminectomy is done using hydraulic drill. Dura is incised laterally and hitches applied. Vertical lateral incision is very helpful as this gives direct exposure of the tumor even if it is anteriorly placed to spinal cord. Base of the tumor is […]

Glioblastoma | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

An aggressive type of cancer that occurs in the brain or the spinal cord is called Glioblastoma. Another name for this type of cancer is Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It is caused by a group of tumors called Astrocytomas that are star-shaped cells responsible for the nourishment and support of the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Dr. Anil Dhingra, Endovascular Neurosurgeon in Chandigarh, attempts to create awareness amongst the masses about this malignant brain tumor. Symptoms According to the location of the Brain tumor, the symptoms can vary. However, there are a few common symptoms – • Persistent Headaches • Double or blurred vision • Vomiting • Loss of appetite • Changes in mood or personality • Difficulty in thinking and learning • Seizures • Difficulty in speaking Diagnosis Neurological exam – A neurologist can give you a complete exam. Imaging tests like CT, positron emission tomography (PET) or MRI Scan may also be necessary. Treatment • Surgery – A neurosurgeon can operate to remove the glioblastoma with the aim of removing as much of the tumor as possible. Additional surgery might be required to remove the tumor from the remaining cells as glioblastoma grows into the normal brain tissue. • Radiation Therapy – The high energy beams such as X-Rays or protons that are used in Radiation Therapy can kill cancer cells. Mostly after surgery, radiation therapy is recommended alongside Chemotherapy. • Chemotherapy – The use of drugs to kill cancer cells is called Chemotherapy. Sometimes, a thin circular […]

Cerebral Edema – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Cerebral edema is a life-threatening condition where fluids develop in the brain and cause it to swell. This fluid increases the pressure around the brain – this pressure inside the skull is also known as intracranial pressure (ICP). Cerebral edema refers to the swelling of the brain due to trapped fluid. Dr. Anil Dhingra, Neurosurgeon in Chandigarh, highlights the symptoms and causes of Cerebral edema. Symptoms While it can be very difficult for doctors to accurately diagnose Cerebral edema without appropriate tests and evaluations, there are certain symptoms in case of a head injury that can be linked to swelling. Symptoms of cerebral edema may include: • Loss of memory • Headache, nausea and dizziness • Difficulty in speaking • Loss of consciousness • Difficulty in moving Causes • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – Falls and other forms of such physical contact can cause an acute trauma and brain swelling. • Stroke – Some strokes such as an ischemic stroke are the result of blood clots restricting the flow of blood to the brain. This lack of oxygen can cause swelling. • Infection – Bacteria or viruses can infect the brain and result in these swellings as well. • Brain haemorrhage – Ruptures and leaks in the blood vessels in the brain can cause inflammation and cause an increase in the ICP. Treatment • Medication – The use of drugs prescribed by doctors depending upon the severity on one’s condition, can reduce the swelling and blood clots. • Hypothermia – […]

Cervical Fusion – Causes and Types of the Procedure

For the relief from the painful symptoms caused by cervical spine disorders, many times surgery is required. Dehydration of disks is one of the most common underlying root causes of most spine disorders. As people age beyond 30, the gelatine-like centres dry out and become flattened. This results in the vertebrae losing its height and the healthy resilience it had. Subsequently, this degeneration pushes the vertebrae closer and causes nerve irritation, which usually stems from a ruptured disc, bone spurs, or stenosis. Dr Anil Dhingra, the best endoscopic spine surgeon, discusses cervical spinal fusion which is a surgery that joins selected bones in the neck (cervical spine) Types of Cervical Fusion There are two types of cervical fusion procedures: anterior cervical fusion, and posterior cervical fusion. Anterior Cervical Fusion One of the most common surgical procedures for problems in the cervical spine is Anterior cervical discectomy. The word ‘discectomy’ refers to “remove the disc.” This is a procedure that is used to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve or the spinal cord that is caused by a herniated disc. In this procedure, the disc is usually removed from the front of your cervical spine. An incision is made in the front of your neck beside your trachea (windpipe). The muscles are moved to the side. The arteries and nerves in your neck are also protected. Upon reaching the front of your spine, your doctor will use an X-ray to identify the problem disc. This disc is removed all the way […]

Symptoms, Types and Causes of Cerebrovascular Diseases

A group of conditions, disorders, and diseases that affect the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain is termed as cerebrovascular disease. Stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), aneurysm and vascular malformation are included in cerebrovascular diseases. Dr. Anil Dhingra, the best surgeon in Chandigarh points out symptoms, causes, and types of cerebrovascular diseases. Symptoms The location of the blockage and its impact on brain tissue is responsible for the symptoms of the disease. However, some common symptoms are as follows: Severe and sudden headache Paralysis or weakness of one side of the body Confusion Difficulty in communicating or slurred speech Losing vision on one side Loss of balance Types Types of cerebrovascular diseases include: Ischemic Stroke When a blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque blocks a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain, it is known as Ischemic stroke. A blood clot may form in an already narrow artery. Death of brain cells because of the lack of supply of blood to the brain is responsible for a stroke. Embolism When a clot breaks off in the body and travels to the brain to block a smaller artery, it is known as Embolism. A tear in the carotid artery can also lead to ischemic stroke. The tear allows blood to flow between the layers of the carotid artery which results in narrowing of the artery and reducing blood supply to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke A disease which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain weakens and bursts open […]

Types, Symptoms, and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system, particularly brain, spine and optic nerves. An autoimmune is a medical condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues just as it might attack a virus or bacteria. In Multiple Sclerosis, the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers is attacked by the immune system, causing inflammation. When myelin sheath disappears or sustains damage in multiple areas, it leaves a scar or sclerosis. These are also called plaques or lesions in medical terms. These lesions affect the brain stem, cerebellum, spinal cord, optic nerves, etc. Dr. Anil Dhingra, the best endoscopic spine surgeon discusses a detailed description of types, symptoms, and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: TYPES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS): Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) It is the first episode of neurologic symptoms and is caused by inflammation of the central nervous system. The symptoms last for 24 hours but do not yet meet the criteria for a diagnosis of MS. The people who experience CIS may or may not develop MS in the future. Relapse- Remitting MS (RRMS) RRMS is the most common disease course. It is characterized by an attack of new or increasing symptoms which is followed by periods of complete or partial recovery. During the period of recovery, some symptoms may disappear or some symptoms may continue to become permanent. Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) People diagnosed with RRMS will eventually transform into the secondary progressive course in which there is a progressive worsening […]

Occipital Neuralgia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp are known as occipital nerves. A medical condition in which occipital nerves gets inflamed or injured is called Occipital Neuralgia. Dr Anil Dhingra, a well-experienced neurosurgeon in Chandigarh highlights the symptoms and causes of Occipital Neuralgia. Symptoms Many times, the pain is confused with migraine or other types of headache as the symptoms are similar. However, the treatments are different so it is essential to get it diagnosed from a doctor. Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia include: Aching and throbbing pain which begins at the base of the head and goes to the scalp. One or both sides of the head aching. Pain behind the eye. Increased Sensitivity to light. A Tender scalp. Pain in the movement of the neck. Causes Pressure or irritation on the occipital nerve because of injury could be the reason behind Occipital Neuralgia. Besides this some medical conditions that are linked to it are as follows: Trauma received by the back of the head. Tightening of neck muscles. Osteoarthritis Cervical disc disease Inflammation of blood vessels. Treatment When encountered with pain you can try some home remedies for temporary relief which includes: Applying heat to the neck. Taking some rest in an isolated dark place. Massage the painful muscles of the neck. Once you are temporarily relieved of the pain, immediately see a Neurosurgeon who may write you some anti-inflammatory medicines, muscle relaxants or nerve blocks depending on your condition. Occipital […]

Emotional Problems after Traumatic Brain Injury

Often after getting a traumatic brain injury there comes a significant shift in the way a person thinks and feels. Emotional problem is one such issue that persons with traumatic brain injury face. Dr Anil Dhingra, listed among the best brain surgeon in Chandigarh highlights some emotional problems people with a traumatic brain injury has to face and how can they deal with it. Mood Swings Sometimes brain injury affects the portion of the brain that controls emotions of a person. As a result of which episodes of sudden crying and laughing or “the emotional roller-coaster” increases. A person might be angry at a moment and be laughing at next. Often, there is no trigger of such fluctuations in mood which is why this becomes confusing for the family. However, episodes of mood swings decrease after a few months of injury but if it doesn’t improve over time, seeking medical help is suggested. Anxiety Intense, excessive and persistent worry or fear about everyday situations is termed as anxiety. Rapid heart rate, heavy breathing, and sweating are common symptoms of anxiety. People with traumatic brain injury face difficulty in concentrating and problem-solving due to which they might not be able to complete a task. This is the reason for anxiety in such patients. Sometimes, sudden flashbacks of the incident which led to the injury might also lead to anxiety. This is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Treatment for anxiety varies from patient to patient, that is why getting checked […]