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The differences between a Neurosurgeon and Neurologist

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Do you know how to differentiate a Neurosurgeon and a Neurologist? These specialists are usually confused but there are remarkable differences when it comes to the disorders they treat and how they do it. Read this blog and find out. 

Neurology is a medical specialty occupied by several professionals such as Neurosurgeons. But, do you really know what a Neurosurgeon does? It is common to confuse Neurosurgeons and Neurologists. Both specialists treat people with conditions and injuries related to the nervous system, even though this counts as a similarity there are differences you should know about and we’ll help you with that! 

First, a Neurosurgeon is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the brain, spine, and nervous system through surgical and nonsurgical treatments based on the type of injury or illness. Due to their extensive training in the diagnosis of neurological diseases, neurosurgeons are often requested by other physicians such as emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, and general practitioners for consultations. And a Neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of brain and nervous system conditions. Neurologists use diagnostic tests like electroencephalograms (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer-assisted tomography (CAT) scans to identify neurological conditions. These both definitions are given by the American Academy of Neurology and the American College of Surgeons. 

So, we already know both Neurosurgeons and Neurologists diagnose and treat conditions that involve the nervous system, however one of the main differences is the fact that Neurologists don't perform surgery.  Neurologists are focused on discovering and diagnosing specific neurological conditions that can be corrected via medications or other therapies or the ones that require close management. Even though this is a major difference, both Neurosurgeons and Neurologists may perform complex neurological testing like EEG, MRI, and CT scans to monitor the brain, and both may use minimally invasive procedures to repair blood vessels within the brain. 

Another difference to be clear is which conditions Neurosurgeons and Neurologists treat. Neurosurgeons are trained to treat people with trauma to the brain and spine, aneurysms, blocked arteries, chronic low-back pain, birth defects, tumors in the brain and spinal cord, and peripheral nerve issues. Neurosurgeons as you read beforealso perform surgeries for carpal tunnel syndrome, brain and spinal tumor removal surgery, and spinal surgery. Meanwhile, a Neurologist treats disorders like headaches, sleep disorders, tremors, epilepsy, brain and spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and peripheral nerve disorders.

So far we’re clear about the main differences between Neurosurgeons and Neurologists. To understand even more the specifics of this career, we’ll mention some recognized Neurosurgeons who you may be interested to know. These medical specialists have become famous for their cutting edge procedures and investigation. 

Dr. Bartolomé Oliver is a prestigious specialist in Neurosurgery. From Spain, he is considered an eminence in the field of transnasal endoscopic surgery (through the nostrils), accumulating a great experience in these interventions. He is also renowned for his skull base surgeries as well as operations for brain tumors, spinal surgeries, and OCD surgery. He is co-director of two internationally recognized units located at the Teknon Medical Center, the Oliver Ayats Institute and the Chiari Hypermobility Unit. 

A second name is Dr. Pietro Mortini. From Italy, Professor Pietro Mortini is a famous Neurosurgeon with over 30 years of experience. Currently he works and serves patients at Ospedale San Raffaele and the Director of the Experimental Neurosurgery Unit at San Raffaele Scientific Institute. He specializes in neuro- and radiosurgeries. His main approach is minimally invasive spine and brain operations. They help to treat diseases with small surgical interventions and minimal injury of patient's tissues. 

Back to the U.S. Dr. José Valerio is an awarded Neurosurgeon specialist in surgical spine techniques, such as Arthroplasty, Minimally Invasive Spine surgery, Kyphoplasty, and Spine Tumor surgery. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Valerio’s main focus at the Miami Neuroscience Center - which he’s a part of- is complex spine pathology and spine tumors. Currently, he’s also a Neurosurgical Oncologist at Palmetto General Hospital, Larkin Hospital and Aventura Hospital.

If you’re in need for a Neurosurgeon and want a high range professional by your side, Dr. Valerio offers you the services for Neurosurgery such as Cerebral aneurysm, Meningioma, Hydrocephalus, Craniotomy and also, over 19 different spine procedures. All of his service works under the premisse “Patients truly come first”. 

Want to make an appointment? Fill this form and you’ll be just one step closer to Dr. Valerio 's services. You’ll receive feedback as soon as possible. Feel free to contact us at (786) 871 6854 or visiting www.jvaleriomd.com to get more information about the location of our clinics in Miami. We’re here to help you! 

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