信大医学部医学科研究紹介2019（英語版）

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33Functional neurosurgery is neuro-science managed by neurosurgeon（Chief: Senior Assistant Prof. Toshihiro Ogiwara）NeurosurgerySummary of ActivityOnce the neurological function is disturbed, the treatment of the disease itself is required. On the other hand, the recovery of the disturbed function and/or maintaining the neurological function, which is sometimes a different way to treat the disease, is functional neurosurgery. Parkinson disease is a neurological intractable disease. Deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson disease, in which the particular area of the brain is continuously stimulated with the inserted electrode in the brain, is more effective to improve patient’s life and activity than drug administration. Epilepsy is also treated by drugs. If the focus of epilepsy is determined epilepsy attack can be reduced or ceased by resectioning the focus. ・ Involuntary movement, akinesia・ Neurogenic pain, spasticity・ Epilepsy・ Trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasmTo learn functional neurosurgery, the knowledge of the physiology and electrical physics is necessary. The knowledge is utilized not only in clinical investigation but also in the basic research. Functional neurosurgery is comparable to brain science. To study the human brain function is necessary for development of brain science. The neurosurgeon only can touch the human brain directly. You can choose the neurosurgery after a 2-year early registration program after getting Japanese Medical License. Japanese Neurosurgical Board can be applied after a 4-year residency program of neurosurgery. You can choose functional neurosurgery as your sub-specialty of neurosurgery.Research subjectOutlook for researchOutlook for students after graduationThe deep brain stimulation （supplied by Medtronic Co.）Motor evoked potentialThe electrode placed on the brain surface. The electrical stimulation on the motor cor-tex elicits the extremity muscle. Electrical stimulation of the extremities reaches to the particular brain.Sensory evoked potentialThe surgery of deep brain stimulation. The electrode is inserted through a burr hole.Brain surface electrodeOur surgeries are based on safe and minimally invasive to return the patient to everyday life as early as possible.Minimally Invasive Spine and Spinal Cord Team（Chief: Senior Assistant Prof. Kiyoshi Ito）NeurosurgerySummary of ActivityThe minimally invasive spine and spinal cord team provides treatment and con-ducts research on all disorders that damage the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, and that cause hand numbness and pain, motor paralysis, gait disorders, and leg pain. The procedures we use to treat these disorders are based on safe and minimally invasive surgery using an operating microscope, and our aim is to return the patient to everyday life as early as possible. We focus particular effort on treating tumors of the spinal cord.・ Development of minimally invasive and safe surgical methods for cervical spondylosis, lumbar spinal canal stenosis, and others.・ Improvement and development of safe surgical methods for spinal cord tumors.・ Improvement and development of surgical equipment.Conventional surgery on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine was often performed with-out visual enhancement and outcomes were not always good. Patients often mistakenly believe that surgery on the spine or spinal cord can leave them bedridden. However, preci-sion surgery using an operating microscope can free patients from numbness and pain in the hands and legs. We strive daily to improve outcomes by conducting research to improve surgical methods and equipment. After graduation, doctors will be trained in brain surgery, and will also participate in medical treatment and research on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal cord as well as on pe-ripheral nerves (median and ulnar nerves).Research subjectOutlook for researchOutlook for students after graduationIntraoperative photographs on removing a tumor behind the spinal cord. The thickness of the spinal cord is only about 8 mm at the narrowest point; however, the image is enlarged through an operating microscope, enabling extremely precise technique.Surgical body support - An upright surgical position might be unstable. We developed a device to make surgery safer by stabilizing the surgeon’s body.