A neurosurgeon is a specialist who treats disorders of the central nervous system, which includes the brain, skull, arterial blood supply, spinal cord, neural elements and the spine. Neurosurgeons perform brain, spine and peripheral nerve surgery. Brain surgery is performed to relieve pressure in intracranial hemorrhage, remove a foreign body such as a tumor, to treat a wound or to relieve pain.
Spine surgery is performed to free entrapped nerves, correct deformity and restore spinal stability.
The rigors of education and training are arduous. The educational requirements include four years of college, four years of medical school, a one-year general surgical internship and six to seven years as a neurosurgical resident. A resident's first year is usually spent in research. Programs include neurology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery and critical care. Each year the ABNS administers the Primary Examination.