Brain Disorders and Injuries

The following information is intended to provide an overview of the anatomy of the brain and its associated disorders. The anatomy overview will provide the basis for understanding the treatment options.

Tumors
A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that grows on or inside the body. It is known as primary if located where its growth first started, or secondary if it began growing elsewhere in the body and metastasized, or spread, to its present location. Most primary brain tumors do not metastasize outside the brain.
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Cerebral Aneurysms
A cerebral (brain) aneurysm is the dilation of an artery, formed by an enlargement in the artery wall.
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Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek "hydro" meaning water, and "cephalus" meaning head. Hydrocephalus is marked by abnormal and excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid into cavities called ventricles inside the brain. As fluid builds up, the pressure causes various symptoms inside the head.
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Chiari Malformation
Chiari malformation is a condition in which the cerebellum (back and bottom parts of the brain) 'slips' into the space where the spinal cord travels into the skull. Symptoms are wide and varied, but head and neck pain and dizziness are the most common.
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Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN -- tic douloureux) is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed - lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw. A less common form of the disorder called "Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia" may cause less intense, constant, dull, burning or aching pain, sometimes with occasional electric shock-like stabs. Both forms of the disorder most often affect one side of the face, but some patients experience pain at different times on both sides. Onset of symptoms occurs most often after age 50.
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Seizure Disorder and Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a term for a variety of seizure disorders. A person with recurring seizures is said to have epilepsy. It is a physical condition caused by sudden, brief changes in the brain's electrical balance. When there are excess electrical discharges in the brain, seizures occur. Seizures can alter awareness, physical movements, consciousness or actions, and generally last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Epilepsy is not a disease, mental illness, or a sign of low intelligence. Epilepsy generally is a chronic and/or lifelong condition.

In nearly 70 percent of cases, the cause is unknown. The most common causes for the remaining 30 percent include head trauma, brain tumor, stroke, poisoning, infection and developmental problems before birth. Some rare forms of epilepsy are genetic. Epilepsy is not contagious.
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