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The goal of Neurosurgery Awareness Week is to help educate people about the role of the neurosurgeon in treating a wide range of medical conditions and diseases. When people hear the word "neurosurgeon," most think "brain surgeon." However, neurosurgeons are medical specialists who diagnose and treat disorders of the entire nervous system, providing both surgical and nonsurgical care.

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Jon H. Robertson, MD, of the Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute in Memphis, was named president of the AANS at the AANS Annual Meeting "“ Celebrating AANS' Diamond Jubilee "“ in Washington, D.C.

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The AANS Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation. The meeting focuses on the latest research and technological advances in the field. The Scientific Program, which includes 38 practical clinics, 21 general scientific sessions, 79 breakfast seminars, 146 oral abstract presentations, nearly 500 poster presentations, and exhibit booths representing 240 companies, opens officially on Monday, April 16.

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An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States incur a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year and 60,000 people die annually from these injuries. More than half of the patients brought to the hospital with TBI are intoxicated and many have cardiovascular disease requiring them to be on blood-thinners such as aspirin. Yet no prior studies have examined the potential effects of alcohol and aspirin consumption on worsening hemorrhage in patients with TBI.

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Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most significant forms of neurotrauma with major economic and social impact. Every year, nearly 12,000 individuals in the United States and Canada, mostly young adults, sustain a SCI. Research utilizing a novel protein shows promise for partially restoring neurological function in acute SCI cases treated quickly after the incident.

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The AANS Scientific Program focuses primarily on clinical neurosurgical research and breakthroughs that can help neurosurgeons improve the quality of care provided to their patients. There are other crucial issues that affect the delivery of patient care, however, and in recognition of that, this year's meeting features significantly expanded programming devoted to the key socioeconomic issues that affect neurosurgeons and their patients.

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The nation's largest annual scientific meeting for neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents in training, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, nurse/physician assistants, and other allied health professionals.

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An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and an additional 34 million are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for developing this condition. Along with hip and wrist fractures, severe osteoporosis can cause compression fractures in the spine. Two minimally invasive procedures can help patients heal when conservative treatment options have proven ineffective.

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Have you or a family member undergone successful surgery to treat Parkinson's disease, tumors of the central nervous system, low back or neck pain, stroke, cerebral aneurysms, head injuries, or any of the many other conditions treated by neurosurgeons? The AANS is seeking stories from neurosurgical patients to be featured on its Neurosurgical Patient Stories Web page.

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In 2005, an estimated one million people were treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms for head injuries related to seemingly harmless products found around the home. Winter sports contributed to thousands of additional head injuries. According to the AANS, many injuries can be avoided by removing potential hazards inside and outside the home, following proper driving precautions, and playing sports safely.

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Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Preliminary estimates indicate that 150,147 people in the United States died from cerebrovascular disease in 2004; a decrease of nearly 5 percent from the prior year. Understanding the factors that increase the risk of stroke and recognizing the symptoms help in prevention.

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The AANS supports rigorous scientific studies such as SPORT that seek to provide direction toward the best patient care. Neurosurgeons and their patients with painful lumbar disc herniation should certainly be reassured that the principle of giving patients advice regarding their treatment options based on their individual needs has been reaffirmed by this major study.

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The symptoms can mimic so many other conditions that patients are often told that their chronic headaches and muscle weakness are psychosomatic, or that the symptoms are "all in their head." Chiari malformation is indeed in the head, but it is a physical condition, most often congenital in nature. The prevalence in the general population is estimated at slightly less than one in 1000.

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According to the AANS, the most recent statistics indicate that there were an estimated 64,500 bicycling-related head injuries treated in United States hospital emergency rooms in 2005. Nearly 37,000 of these injuries were to children age 14 and younger. Overall, sports and recreational activities contribute to about 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries among American children and adolescents.

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Left untreated, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can enlarge and rupture, causing intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage and permanent brain damage. They are detected most frequently in young adults, often as a result of a seizure or brain hemorrhage. Preventing the rupture of vascular malformations is one of the major reasons that early neurosurgical treatment is recommended for AVMs.

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According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), there are currently an estimated 70,000 Americans living with spina bifida. Although scientists believe that genetic and environmental factors may act together to cause spina bifida, 95 percent of babies with spina bifida are born to parents with no family history.

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Spinal fusion is an operation that creates a solid union between two or more vertebrae. Researchers recently compared return-to-work data for a total of 972 patients undergoing cervical disc surgery through spinal fusion, as well as replacement with two different types of artificial discs.

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High-grade gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors in adult patients, accounting for 40 percent of all tumors and 78 percent of malignant tumors. One neurosurgeon's experience with 250 consecutive patients with large, dominant-hemisphere gliomas requiring language mapping was analyzed.

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Subarachnoid hemorrhage affects about 30,000 Americans every year. The majority of these cases are caused by cerebral aneurysms. Researchers analyzed the efficacy of Computed Tomographic Angiography in identifying SAH quickly and accurately.

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While spinal fusion is effective in helping to reduce pain from motion and nerve root inflammation, the limited mobility of the neck may eventually lead to the herniation of other discs. Researchers analyzed the effectiveness of the PRESTIGE ST artificial cervical disc as potential treatment.

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Close to 1.5 million cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) occur in the United States every year. Annual direct and indirect TBI costs are estimated at $56 billion. Research correlates serum magnesium levels to TBI outcome and offers insight into potential treatment.

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Raised intracranial pressure (ICP), along with hypotension and hypoxia, can increase the mortality rate in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients by 70 percent. Controlling ICP is an essential component of effectively treating TBI patients, and one viable solution is hypertonic saline.

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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating brain cancer that typically results in death in about one year. Patients have few treatment options, and nearly all available therapies have had minimal impact on survival. A therapeutic vaccination offers future promise for GBM patients.

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It is estimated that bicycle-related injury and death cost society $8 billion annually. Traumatic brain injury causes two-thirds of all deaths resulting from bicycle accidents. Forty percent of deaths occur in children age 15 and younger, with boys age 10 to 14 at the greatest risk.

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Effective resuscitation in patients with traumatic brain injury and hemorrhage is a challenge. While blood is the optimal resuscitation fluid, it is typically not available in the out-of-hospital setting, and its use is associated with certain risks. Research shows that HBOC-201 holds promise...

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An estimated 12 million Americans suffer from degenerative disk disease, with over one million patients undergoing surgery each year. In the past, the standard surgical treatment for herniated lumbar intervertebral disks was open microscopic diskectomy. Research shows that minimally invasive surgery is a viable option.

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Hospital report cards have become an increasingly popular tool for assessing provider-based outcomes. However, an in-depth study reveals that this tool is particularly inaccurate for assessing high-risk procedures such as craniotomy surgery, and could jeopardize access to care for the sickest patients.

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In the vast majority of meningiomas studied, receptors for specific growth factors have been identified on the surface of the tumor cells. Research correlates EGFR status with meningioma patient outcome.

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Trigeminal neuralgia is relatively rare. An estimated 45,000 people in the United States and an estimated one million people worldwide suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. Sister Claire, an 82-year-old school teacher, suffered for years before finding relief through surgery.

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An estimated 30,000 people a year in the United States experience rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Sadly, about 50 percent of those who experience ruptured brain aneurysms do not survive. Sylvia Lee is one of the lucky survivors -- alive and well today to share her story with others.

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Craniopharyngiomas are slightly more prevalent in children than adults. Although they are typically benign, these are treacherous tumors to remove because of their location near critical structures deep in the brain. Ariel Nelsen, age 4, underwent successful surgery to treat a craniopharyngioma.

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An estimated 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive disorder annually, costing as much as $40 billion in the American workplace. Preliminary research indicates that DBS holds promise for the treatment of intractable major depression, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder.

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The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) will hold its 74th Annual Meeting from April 24-27, 2006 at the Moscone South Convention Center in San Francisco. Discover why neurosurgery is more than brain surgery.

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The nation's largest annual scientific meeting for neurosurgeons, neurological residents in training, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, nurse/physician assistants, and other allied health professionals.

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According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), an estimated 250,000 to 450,000 people in the United States are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). The AANS offers SCI prevention tips to help address this public health crisis.

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It is estimated that between 75 and 85 percent of all Americans will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Lumbar interbody fusion is an option when conservative methods fail.

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Dystonia is a very complex, highly variable movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, dystonia affects as many as 250,000 people in the United States.

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Artificial disc surgery is an alternative to spinal fusion surgery, a common operation performed on about 200,000 people a year with degenerative disc disease in the lower back (lumbar spine). To be considered a candidate, you must meet very specific criteria.

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Skull base tumors that were once considered to be inoperable can now be accessed and removed, sometimes completely, and often without impaired neurological function. This release provides an overview of specific types of skull base tumors and treatment options.

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The proliferation of beta-amyloid plaque is considered a key factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Neurosurgeons recently conducted studies to determine whether the intraventricular injection of anti-beta-amyloid would inhibit the development of amyloid plaques without producing inflammation or hemorrhage.

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Traumatic brain injury is a substantial cause of mortality in the United States. Research has shown physiologic differences in cerebral blood flow between males and females, but the effect of gender on outcome after TBI has not been extensively studied until now.

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Malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis despite the frequent use of a therapeutic combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recent studies were conducted to determine whether fluorescence-guided resection of malignant gliomas might positively impact patients' prognoses and survival rates.

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Cases of craniopagus conjoined twins number only one in 10,000,000 births. James T. Goodrich, MD, PhD will present details of the groundbreaking surgery that was performed on the Filipino Aquirre twins, Clarence and Carl, now age 3 and thriving.

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Concern for patient safety, among other reasons, recently prompted sweeping changes in resident work policies in the United States. Several studies of care at academic hospitals have sought to demonstrate the so-called "July phenomenon," usually concluding that available quality of care standards remain uniform throughout the academic year.

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Each year, nearly two million people sustain head injuries, with annual direct and indirect costs of $48 billion. Deaths from head injuries account for 34 percent of all traumatic deaths.

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Recent statistics indicate that one in five people worldwide suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain and that one in three are unable or less able to maintain an independent lifestyle due to their pain. Neurosurgeons in Australia recently performed a meta-analysis of DBS for pain relief.

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Approximately 4.6 million Americans will need back surgery at some point in their lives, and neurosurgeons currently perform more spine procedures than any other procedure type. Neurosurgeons recently studied blinded outcome assessments in 622 of 847 patients treated in calendar year 2002.

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American Association of Neurological Surgeons applauds Institute of Medicine's Spinal Cord Injury Report for publicizing the crucial need for expanded research. This major public health crisis affects as many as 250,000 people living in the United States.

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The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) will hold its 73rd Annual Meeting from April 16-21, 2005 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.

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Treatment of intractable pain has come a long way. Medical advances help neurosurgeons treat patients with chronic pain through state-of-the-art medical technology.