00734 - Neurosurgery (L-Z)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to manage the basic principles of diagnosis and therapy of the main pathologies of the central nervous system of neurosurgical interest such as: malignant and benign brain tumors; cerebral vascular malformations (aneurysms, angiomas and cerebral cavernomas); cranio-encephalic trauma; degenerative diseases of the cervical spine and medullary tumors; hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension syndrome. Interactive exchanges with students (questions and answers at the end of each lesson) will assess the level of understanding by the learners. Particular attention will be given to the early and rapid diagnosis of emergency situations such as traumatic brain injuries, subarachnoid hemorrhage, child and adult intracranial hypertension syndromes and their "alarm symptoms".

Course contents

During the lessons, basics of neurosurgical diseases and their treatment will be presented and discussed.

In the first lesson, the basics of neurotraumatology will be given, including classification, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of head injuries. The aim is to provide medical students with basics concept to understand the practice of neurotrauma, to deal in an emergency setting with a correct conduct, to understand the medical and surgical management of traumatic brain injured patients.

The second lesson will be focused on brain tumors. The basics of Neuro-oncology will be provided, including classification, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of benign and malignant brain tumors. The aim is to provide medical students with basics concept to understand the practice of neurosurgical oncology, to discuss with patients with brain tumors and to guide their oncological/neurosurgical course.

The third lesson, will be focused on vascular neurosurgery. Classification, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of hemorrhagic stroke will be presented. The aim is to provide medical students with basics concept of neurovascular pathologies, to deal in an emergency setting with a correct conduct, to understand the medical and surgical management of brain hemorrhages and vascular malformations management.

The fourth lesson will be focused on hydrocephalus. The basics of hydrocephaly and cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders will be provided, including classification, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. The aim is to provide medical students with basics concept to understand the practice of neurosurgical management of hydrocephalus, to deal in an emergency setting with a correct conduct, to understand the medical and surgical management of these diseases.

Readings/Bibliography

Reference Text:

Handbook of Neurosurgery

9th Edition

By: Mark S. Greenberg

Thieme, 2019. — 1785 p. — ISBN 9781684201372

Teaching methods

Oral presentations and video sessions

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral assessment to verify the achievement of objectives (critical thinking, knowledge of topics) within the integrated course of Neurological, Psychiatric Diseases and Pain (I.C.).

Graduation:

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expressed in an overall correct language → 18-19;
Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to autonomous analysis only on purely executive matters, expression in correct language → 20-24;
Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology → 25-29;
Basically exhaustive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflection → 30-30L.

Teaching tools

Videolessons

Office hours

See the website of Alfredo Conti