FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Heather Monroe, Ph: 847/378-0500, ([email protected])
Neurosurgeons Treat Patients for Much More Than Brain TumorsAccording to a New Report
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL--(March 18, 2002)--Neurosurgeons specialize in the treatment of more than brain tumors. In fact, over 60 percent of procedures they treat are spine related, according to a recent report from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
The data obtained in the recent AANS report is the most accurate representation of caseloads for board-certified neurosurgeons in the United States ever compiled, listing treatment of brain tumors as the fifth most commonly treated procedure, with the top four procedures focusing on the spine.
"This report clarifies the public misperception about the role of neurosurgeons as physicians dedicated solely to the treatment of brain tumors," says AANS public relations committee member Bruce Kaufman, MD. "In addition to the treatment of brain tumors, the neurosurgery specialty encompasses treatment of a wide range of disorders including epilepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, low back pain, neck pain and sports-related head injuries."
To obtain the most accurate results for the neurosurgical statistics report, a survey was distributed to 1,500 AANS-member neurosurgeons nationwide in group, academic and solo practices. The data for the report was collected using CPT (current procedural terminology) codes that identify the neurosurgical procedures. More than 400 neurosurgeons participated in the report. The procedural mean was then calculated by extrapolating numbers reflecting approximately 2,500 board-certified neurosurgeons.
The survey revealed that a total of 832,773 procedures were performed in 1999, for an average of 332 procedures per neurosurgeon. In 1999, AANS member neurosurgeons performed: 533,839 spine procedures; 220,065 cranial procedures; 39,675 CSF shunting procedures; 33,973 peripheral nerve procedures; 15,516 pain-functional procedures; 8,436 extracranial cerebrovascular procedures and over 1,432 catheter/endovascular procedures. The numbers reflect that the majority of procedures performed in the United States by AANS-member neurosurgeons in 1999 were spine surgeries (64.1%) However, in addition to spine and tumor procedures, neurosurgeons are performing an abundance of peripheral nerve procedures such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain and functional procedures involving medication pumps.
The report also noted that 40 percent of all respondents reported that they performed more surgeries in 1999 than the previous year.
Neurosurgeons are the only physicians qualified to diagnose and treat the entire nervous system, composed of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column, as well as the nerves that travel through all parts of the body (hands, legs, arms, face). Neurosurgeons have one of the longest training periods of any medical specialty due to the extreme complexity of the nervous system and the advanced techniques and technologies used in neurosurgical operations. For more information about neurosurgery, visit http://www.neurosurgery.org/health/whatis/guide/.
To review the AANS neurosurgical statistics report visit http://www.neurosurgery.org/aans/membership/stats/.
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Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons is a scientific and educational association with nearly 5,500 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the spinal column, spinal cord, brain, nervous system and peripheral nerves.
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