Blogs

Syringomyelia is a fluid-filled cavity inside the spinal cord. Not around it. Inside it. It forms because cerebrospinal fluid can't circulate properly, so pressure builds and the fluid carves out a space in the cord itself. Over time that space grows. The nerve fibres...

A thunderclap headache is a medical emergency until a brain bleed has been excluded. It peaks within seconds and is typically described as the worst headache of the patient's life. The primary concern is a ruptured cerebral aneurysm causing subarachnoid haemorrhage,...

Brachial plexus injuries can often be surgically repaired, though the outcome depends on the type of damage and how quickly treatment begins. A stretch injury may recover without intervention. A rupture can be bridged with a nerve graft. An avulsion, where the root is...

Carpal tunnel syndrome does not always require surgery. Splints, rest and steroid injections settle the milder cases effectively. Surgery is indicated when the median nerve is under genuine threat, constant numbness, a weakening grip, or the thumb muscle starting to...

Surgery for normal pressure hydrocephalus does not cure it, but the right patient can see a dramatic reversal of symptoms. A shunt drains excess cerebrospinal fluid off the brain, relieving the pressure behind the gait disturbance, cognitive decline and bladder...

Normal pressure hydrocephalus gets misread as dementia all the time, because the two look so alike from the outside. Memory slipping. A shuffling, unsteady walk. Trouble with the bladder. But here's the part that matters: NPH is a fluid problem, not a dying-brain...

Post-concussion syndrome is when concussion symptoms refuse to clear up on schedule. They should settle in a week or two. With this lot, they don't, they linger for weeks, sometimes months. Headaches. Brain fog. Dizziness, mood dips, sleep that won't behave. No single...

For most people, conservative treatment is right. The large majority of slipped discs settle with physiotherapy, medication and a bit of patience, no operation needed. Surgery is the right call when the nerve's in danger, real weakness, a foot that's dropping, or pain...

Most sciatica never needs surgery. Physiotherapy, time and pain relief settle the large majority within a few weeks. Surgery steps in when the nerve is in real trouble, spreading weakness, a dropping foot, or pain that simply won't quit despite proper conservative...

For the right patient, yes. Spinal cord stimulation can cut chronic back and leg pain by half or more. It isn't magic, and it isn't for everyone. A small implanted device sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord and scrambles the pain signals before they reach...

Mesial temporal sclerosis is scarring in the temporal lobe. The hippocampus, specifically, deep inside. It's the commonest reason temporal lobe epilepsy stops responding to medication. And yes, in the way that counts, it can be cured. The scar won't melt away, nobody...

Syringomyelia needs surgery when the cyst inside the spinal cord is growing, or when the symptoms keep getting worse. A small one that causes nothing usually gets watched, not cut. And here's what most people miss: the surgery rarely targets the cyst itself. It goes...

Neither is simply better, the right choice depends on what's being treated and how complex it is. Minimally invasive surgery uses small incisions and causes less muscle damage, so recovery is faster and pain is lower. Open surgery gives wider access, which matters for...

Surgery is better than radiation for brain metastases when the tumour is large, pressing on the brain, or causing symptoms that need quick relief. It's also the choice when doctors need tissue to confirm the diagnosis. Radiation suits small, deep or multiple lesions...

A baclofen pump treats spasticity by delivering the muscle relaxant straight into the fluid around the spinal cord, where it acts directly on the overactive nerve signals. A small programmable device sits under the abdominal skin, and a thin catheter delivers the drug...

Medicines stop working for essential tremor when the tremor outgrows what the drug can suppress, or when side effects cap the dose before it helps. Propranolol and primidone are the usual first choices, and they ease shaking in roughly half of patients, rarely more....

DBS surgery doesn't stop Parkinson's tremors completely, but it reduces them sharply in most patients. Deep brain stimulation sends steady electrical pulses into the movement-control regions of the brain, settling the abnormal signals that drive shaking. Tremor...

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder defined by recurrent, unprovoked seizures from sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The triggers vary from one patient to the next, genetic mutations, head injury, stroke, brain tumours, or central...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

TL;DR Life Expectancy After Spinal Fusion Spinal fusion does not reduce life expectancy in the majority of patients. Long-term outcomes depend on the underlying condition, age, and overall health — not the procedure itself. Most patients return to normal daily life...

TL;DR Warning Signs of a Seizure in Adults Seizure warning signs in adults — aura, sudden confusion, staring spells, or post-episode fatigue — are frequently missed or mistaken for stress. Recognising these early allows for faster diagnosis and better seizure control....

Spinal cord stimulation is a neuromodulation option for chronic, severe neuropathic pain that has stopped responding to medication, physiotherapy, or nerve blocks. The strongest results show up in patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

A seizure happens when a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain disrupts the normal signalling between neurons. Large groups of nerve cells fire together at high speed, almost like an electrical storm, and the activity either stays confined to one...

MVD gives better long-term pain relief, around 80 to 90 percent at 10 years, while gamma knife works for elderly patients who can't have open surgery. Trigeminal neuralgia is brutal. Sudden electric-shock pain across the face, set off by something as small as brushing...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

Life expectancy after a subdural hematoma without surgery comes down to the type and timing of the bleed. Mortality in untreated large or acute SDH runs between 40% and 60%, mostly in elderly patients or those on blood thinners. The picture changes completely for...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

A brain aneurysm is a weak, balloon-like bulge in a brain artery, and yes, it can rupture and trigger a life-threatening stroke. Dealing with one really comes down to three things, catching it early through imaging, keeping blood pressure in check, and getting timely...

Visit a neurosurgeon when symptoms stop being manageable. Back pain that drags into the third month. A leg going numb out of nowhere. One arm losing grip. Headaches that arrive like somebody hit you with a brick. Fits. Sudden trouble seeing or speaking. Neurosurgeons...

A migraine-friendly diet focuses on avoiding common dietary triggers such as aged cheese, chocolate, red wine, MSG, and processed meats, while including foods rich in magnesium and vitamin B-2, including spinach, almonds, salmon, and brown rice. Consistent hydration...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

A subdural hematoma is a serious medical condition where blood collects between the brain and its outer protective layer, the dura mater, usually following a head injury, fall, or use of blood thinner medication. Common symptoms include persistent headache, confusion,...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

Cervical dystonia, also called spasmodic torticollis, is a chronic neurological disorder where involuntary neck muscle contractions cause abnormal head tilting, twisting, and pain. There is no cure, but treatment effectively manages symptoms through botulinum toxin...

DBS programming starts roughly 3 to 4 weeks post-op. A neurologist sits with you, holds a small wireless device, and switches the stimulator on for the first time. Then the real work begins testing contacts, nudging voltage, tweaking pulse width and frequency until...

Yes, certain lights and screens can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy, a condition affecting about 3% of those with epilepsy. Common triggers include flashing lights, strobe effects, fast-changing video game images, and high-contrast or pulsating...

VNS therapy is an FDA-approved, non-drug, palliative treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. An implanted device sends mild electrical pulses to the brain through the vagus nerve, which cuts down seizure frequency and severity. It's meant for adults and kids aged four...

Cervical myelopathy is spinal cord compression in the neck, usually from degenerative wear like arthritis, slipped discs, or thickened ligaments pressing on the cord. Symptoms build slowly at first. Hand clumsiness, trouble walking, numbness creeping into arms or...

Yes, deep brain stimulation can treat severe, treatment-resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tourette's syndrome. DBS works like a pacemaker for the brain, sending controlled electrical pulses to calm down abnormal circuit activity. It's only on the table after...

What is stereotactic brain biopsy and when is it required?

Key signs of a brain tumor in children include persistent or early morning headaches, unexplained vomiting, balance issues, seizures, vision and speech changes, and behavioural shifts. In infants, an abnormally enlarging head, a tense fontanelle, and developmental...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

TL;DR Pain Under Ear Behind Jaw Bone Right Side Pain beneath the ear and behind the jaw on one side can stem from TMJ disorder, nerve irritation, parotid gland inflammation, or dental issues. When the pain is sharp, electric, or triggered by swallowing, a neurological...

TL;DR Can a Tonic Clonic Seizure Kill You? A single tonic-clonic seizure is rarely fatal in healthy adults. The real dangers are SUDEP, status epilepticus lasting beyond five minutes, and seizure-related injuries. Risk is highest in those with frequent, uncontrolled,...

DBS surgery and levodopa treat Parkinson’s disease through entirely different mechanisms. Here is how they differ and when surgery becomes the better option.

A brain aneurysm carries rupture risk with specific warning signs days before a major bleed. Here is what to recognise and when to seek emergency assessment.

A brain AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels carrying significant haemorrhage risk. Here is how dangerous it is and when treatment is indicated.

Most children achieve normal development after hydrocephalus surgery. Here is what determines outcome and what families should realistically expect.

Shunt failure in children with hydrocephalus produces specific clinical signs requiring urgent assessment. Here is what parents and clinicians need to recognise.

Hydrocephalus in children causes abnormal CSF accumulation in the brain. Here is when surgery is required and which procedure is appropriate

Spasticity is abnormal muscle tone from central nervous system injury. Here is when oral medication fails and a baclofen pump becomes indicated.

Essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor are clinically distinct conditions with different treatments. Here is how to tell them apart and when surgery applies.

Trigeminal neuralgia requires surgery when medication fails or causes intolerable side effects. Here is when surgery becomes the right decision.

Fortis Hospital Mulund West provides structured epilepsy surgery evaluation in Mumbai. Here is what separates a proper epilepsy centre from general neurosurgery.

Seizure first aid involves protecting the patient from injury, timing the seizure duration, and identifying features that require immediate emergency services activation. No medication should be administered by a bystander unless prescribed rescue medication is...

Most children with epilepsy achieve adequate seizure control with appropriate medication and attend mainstream education without significant neurological impairment. Outcome is not uniform across epilepsy types. It depends on syndrome, underlying aetiology, age of...

A seizure is a single episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain producing transient neurological symptoms. Epilepsy is a chronic condition defined by a predisposition to recurrent unprovoked seizures. Not every seizure means epilepsy and that distinction...

Seizures that persist despite two appropriately chosen anti-seizure medications define drug-resistant epilepsy by ILAE criteria. Around 30 percent of epilepsy patients reach this threshold. A third medication achieves seizure freedom in fewer than five percent of them...

Epilepsy surgery achieves complete seizure freedom in 60 to 80 percent of appropriately selected drug-resistant patients. Surgical outcome depends on seizure focus location, underlying pathology, and completeness of resection. Surgery is reserved for drug-resistant...

Epilepsy surgery achieves complete seizure freedom in 60 to 80 percent of appropriately selected drug-resistant patients. Outcome depends on seizure focus location, underlying pathology, and completeness of resection. Surgery is reserved for drug-resistant cases where...

Spondylolisthesis is anterior or posterior displacement of one vertebral body relative to the adjacent vertebra, graded I through IV by percentage slip. Most cases are managed conservatively. Surgical intervention is reserved for neurological deficit, progressive...

Spinal cord injury surgery addresses structural cord compression, spinal instability, and progressive neurological deterioration. The surgical objective is preventing further neurological loss and stabilising the spine for rehabilitation to commence. It does not...

Most slipped discs resolve without surgery over six to twelve weeks with physiotherapy and pain management. Surgery becomes necessary when neurological deficit is progressing, conservative management has genuinely failed after six weeks, or specific red flag symptoms...

Minimally invasive spine surgery reaches the spine through small incisions using tubular retractors that dilate muscle rather than cut through it, with fluoroscopy and navigation guiding every step. Blood loss is lower, wound infection rates are lower, and hospital...

A subdural hematoma is blood collecting on the brain surface. Here’s when it’s a medical emergency and when surgery can’t wait.

A pituitary tumor isn’t always dangerous and doesn’t always need surgery. Here’s what determines treatment and when surgery is the right call.

A seizure is one event. Epilepsy is a diagnosed condition. Know when a first seizure needs urgent imaging and when surgery is the answer.

TL;DR Craniotomy vs Craniectomy Both craniotomy and craniectomy involve opening the skull to access the brain, but their purpose differs. In a craniotomy, the bone flap is replaced after surgery — used for tumours, aneurysms, or epilepsy. In a craniectomy, it is left...

Depends entirely on what kind of tumor you're dealing with. That's not a dodge, it's genuinely the answer. Two patients, two brain tumors, two completely different surgical realities. One has a meningioma sitting on the brain surface with clean edges. The other has a...

Nobody explains this properly. So people walk out of consultations thinking benign means safe and malignant means it's over. Neither is quite right. Here's what benign actually means the tumor stays put. It doesn't invade the tissue around it. It won't pack up and...

The problem with brain tumor symptoms isn't that they're rare. It's that most of them look exactly like something ordinary. A headache. A bit of dizziness. Forgetting a word mid-sentence. These things happen to everyone and usually mean nothing. But in certain...

No. It's not painful. The brain genuinely has no pain receptors not a small number, none. There's nothing inside the skull that registers a pain signal. And the scalp, which does have receptors, gets numbed with local anaesthetic before the first incision. So what...

Yes. And the cost is where most families immediately get stuck because what they find online is either too vague to be useful or too specific to apply to their actual situation. DBS isn't one thing with one price. It's a device cost, a surgical fee, hospital charges,...

The first thing to understand is that "DBS stopped working" usually means one of several very different things and which one it is determines entirely what happens next. Sometimes the device is fine and the settings just need adjustment. Sometimes the battery is...

No. It can't. And anyone telling you otherwise is giving you the wrong expectation going into surgery. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition the dopamine-producing cells in the brain keep deteriorating regardless of whether a device is implanted or not....

No. It can't. And anyone telling you otherwise is giving you the wrong expectation going into surgery. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition the dopamine-producing cells in the brain keep deteriorating regardless of whether a device is implanted or not....

TL;DR What Is Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease? Deep Brain Stimulation implants a small pulse generator near the chest that delivers electrical signals to specific brain targets, disrupting the faulty circuits driving Parkinson's symptoms. DBS does not...

Nobody teaches you this. You get a diagnosis, someone hands you a referral, and suddenly you're expected to pick the person who'll operate on your brain or spine like you're ordering off a menu. Most people just go with whoever's available. That's not a knock on them...

Yes, he does. Patients fly in from the Gulf, East Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Europe. Some come for surgery. Some just want a second opinion before they decide anything. The process itself isn't complicated. Most people from outside India just don't know where to...

You don't need to travel to Mumbai for a proper neurosurgical opinion. Booking an online consultation with Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney is straightforward. Call, WhatsApp, or email the clinic, share your scans beforehand, and you'll get a confirmed slot within 24 to 48...

Looking for the best neurosurgeon in Mumbai for DBS surgery? Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney at Fortis Hospital explains who needs it and what real results look like.

Yes—neurological problems can exist even when your MRI or CT scan looks perfectly normal. A clean scan means there's no visible structural damage. It doesn't mean your nervous system is working the way it should. Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, a leading neurosurgeon in...