Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with injury to, or diseases of, the brain, spine or peripheral nerves. A neurological surgeon may provide either surgical or non-surgical care, depending on the nature of the injury or illness.
Neurosurgeons are more than just brain surgeons.
After four years of medical school and an internship program, the doctor enters a neurosurgical residency program of five to seven years. While in the program, neurosurgical residents are trained in all aspects of neurosurgery, including cerebrovascular, pediatrics, spine, trauma and tumor. The resident program is long and difficult, due to the extreme complexity of the nervous system and the advanced techniques used in neurosurgical operations. Some neurosurgeons opt to do an additional fellowship in a particular area of study following their residency. The successful completion of this examination will result in board certification.