Neurosurgery

Medical Malpractice with Baltimore Neurosurgery Lawyer Mark Kopec

Neurosurgery, often referred to as neurological surgery, is a branch of medicine focused on the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the autonomic nervous system. Given the intricate nature of the nervous system, errors in neurosurgery can be costly and result in medical malpractice. If you have been injured, then you may need Baltimore neurosurgery lawyer Mark Kopec at the Kopec Law Firm.

Education and Training

The path to becoming a neurosurgeon typically involves the following steps:

• Undergraduate Degree: Most neurosurgeons hold a bachelor’s degree, often in a science field such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
• Medical School: Aspiring neurosurgeons must complete a four years medical school program, earning an MD or DO degree.
• Internship: Afterward, a one-year general surgery internship is required to provide a foundation for surgical techniques and patient care.
• Neurosurgical Residency: Following internship, this six to seven-year residency program provides comprehensive training in all aspects of neurosurgery, including brain, spine, and peripheral nerve surgery.

Licensing and Board Certification

To practice neurosurgery, physicians must obtain a medical license from the state in which they intend to practice. Additionally, board certification in neurosurgery is a voluntary process with the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS).

Conditions Treated by Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons generally manage a wide range of conditions, including:

• Brain tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can affect the brain, requiring surgical intervention.
• Spinal cord injuries: Traumatic injuries, degenerative conditions, and tumors can damage the spinal cord, leading to paralysis or also other neurological deficits.
• Vascular disorders: Aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and stroke specifically are examples of vascular conditions treated by neurosurgeons.
• Pituitary tumors: These tumors can disrupt hormone production and especially cause vision problems.
• Trigeminal neuralgia: This condition particularly causes severe facial pain.
• Epilepsy: In some cases, surgery may be an option to control intractable seizures.
• Hydrocephalus: This condition involves excess fluid in the brain, requiring surgical intervention to manage.
• Spinal deformities: Scoliosis and kyphosis can be corrected surgically.
• Peripheral nerve disorders: Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral nerve injuries may require surgical treatment.
• Pediatric neurosurgery: Neurosurgeons specializing in this subspecialty treat conditions affecting children, such as spina bifida, brain tumors, and hydrocephalus.

Baltimore neurosurgery lawyer Mark Kopec at the Kopec Law Firm can speak with you specifically about the condition you were treated for.

Diagnostic Tests

Neurosurgeons utilize a variety of diagnostic tools to evaluate patients and develop treatment plans, including:

• Neurological examination: A comprehensive assessment of the patient’s neurological function.
• Imaging studies: CT scans, MRI scans, and angiograms provide detailed images of the brain, spinal cord, and blood vessels.
• Electrodiagnostic studies: These tests evaluate the function of nerves and muscles.
• Lumbar puncture: This procedure collects cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.

Surgical Procedures

Neurosurgeons perform a wide range of surgeries, including:

• Craniotomy: Surgical opening of the skull to access the brain.
• Spinal surgery: Procedures to treat conditions affecting the spine, such as spinal fusion and laminectomy.
• Endovascular surgery: Minimally invasive procedures performed on blood vessels within the brain.
• Stereotactic surgery: Precisely targeted surgical procedures using advanced imaging techniques.
• Functional neurosurgery: Procedures to treat movement disorders, pain, and other neurological conditions.

Work Environment and Collaboration

Neurosurgeons typically work in hospitals, academic medical centers, or private practice. They work together with a variety of doctors and other medical staff, including:

• Neurologists: Physicians who diagnose and treat neurological disorders.
• Anesthesiologists: Physicians who administer anesthesia during surgery.
• Radiologists: Physicians who interpret medical images.
• Physical therapists: Healthcare professionals who help patients regain function and independence.
• Occupational therapists: Healthcare professionals who help patients with activities of daily living.

Medical Malpractice Claims with the Baltimore Neurosurgery Lawyer

Given the high stakes nature of neurosurgery, the potential for medical errors exists. Common types of medical malpractice claims against neurosurgeons include:

• Surgical errors: This includes mistakes during surgery, such as improper incisions, damage to nerves or blood vessels, and leaving foreign objects in the body.
• Diagnostic errors: Failure to diagnose a condition or misdiagnosis of a condition can lead to delayed or wrong treatment.
• Treatment errors: This includes prescribing wrong medications, administering the wrong dosage, or failing to provide appropriate postoperative care.
• Lack of informed consent: Failure to adequately explain the risks and benefits of a procedure.

Neurosurgical Subspecialties

Neurosurgery is a broad field with several subspecialties, each focusing on specific areas of expertise:

• Pediatric neurosurgery: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions in children.
• Neurotrauma: Specializes in the management of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
• Vascular neurosurgery: Deals with disorders of blood vessels in the brain and also the spine.
• Neuro-oncology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of brain and spinal cord tumors.
• Functional neurosurgery: Treats movement disorders, pain, and also other neurological conditions using surgical techniques.
• Spine surgery: Specializes in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders.
• Peripheral nerve surgery: Focuses on conditions affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Next step: Contact the Baltimore Neurosurgery Lawyer

It is important to note that this information is intended to provide a general overview of neurosurgery and medical malpractice. The specific details of each case will vary, and it is essential to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your situation.

Visit the Kopec Law Firm free consultation page or video. Then contact the Kopec Law Firm at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues cases throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.