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Brain Conditions

Specialised diagnosis for the full spectrum of neurological conditions

At Coastal Neurosurgery, our expert neurosurgeons offer comprehensive care for a wide range of brain conditions, combining advanced surgical techniques with a patient-centred approach.

Based in North Gosford, we provide the Central Coast community with access to the highest standard of neurosurgical expertise.

Our team regularly manages complex brain tumours, traumatic brain injury, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) disorders — conditions that can affect not only health but also quality of life. We are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes through personalised treatment planning and surgical precision.

Below is an overview of some of the key brain conditions we treat.

Brain Tumours

Brain tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Each tumour type affects the brain differently, depending on its size, location and growth rate. In Australia, around 2,000 people are diagnosed with malignant brain tumours each year, with many more diagnosed with benign tumours.

At Coastal Neurosurgery, we provide tailored surgical management for a range of brain tumours.

These tumours arise from glial cells in the brain. They include:

  • Glioblastoma – the most aggressive type of primary brain tumour.
  • Astrocytoma – varying in grade from slow-growing to highly malignant.
  • Oligodendroglioma – generally slow-growing but may progress over time.

Additional information on gliomas:

  • Symptoms: headaches, seizures, neurological deficits, personality changes
  • Causes: largely unknown; genetic and environmental factors may play a role
  • Risks: higher risk in older adults, exposure to radiation, genetic mutations
  • Treatment: surgical resection (where possible), followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Meningiomas arise from the meninges, the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. Most are benign but can cause significant symptoms due to their size or location.

  • Symptoms: headaches, vision problems, seizures, neurological symptoms
  • Causes: unknown, though linked to radiation exposure and hormonal factors
  • Risks: more common in women; incidence increases with age
  • Treatment: surgical removal; radiosurgery may be used for smaller or inaccessible tumours

These are benign tumours arising from the pituitary gland, which controls many hormonal functions in the body.

  • Symptoms: visual disturbances, hormonal imbalances, headaches
  • Causes: generally unknown; genetic predisposition in some cases
  • Risks: usually occur in adults aged 30-50
  • Treatment: transsphenoidal surgery (through the nasal cavity), sometimes medication

These benign tumours arise from the vestibulocochlear nerve, affecting hearing and balance.

  • Symptoms: hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), balance problems
  • Causes: mostly sporadic; genetic in cases of neurofibromatosis type 2
  • Risks: typically diagnosed in adults aged 30-60
  • Treatment: microsurgical removal or stereotactic radiosurgery

Secondary brain tumours that originate from cancers elsewhere in the body (commonly lung, breast, melanoma). They are more common than primary brain tumours in adults.

  • Symptoms: headaches, seizures, neurological deficits
  • Causes: spread of cancer cells through the bloodstream
  • Risks: any systemic cancer can metastasise to the brain
  • Treatment: surgery to relieve pressure, followed by radiotherapy and systemic cancer treatments

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury can result from accidents such as falls, motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries. In Australia, TBI accounts for more than 23,000 hospitalisations annually. Coastal Neurosurgery provides urgent surgical care for life-threatening brain injuries.

These are collections of blood between the skull and the brain (epidural) or between the brain and its outer membrane (subdural), typically caused by trauma.

  • Symptoms: loss of consciousness, headache, confusion, weakness, pupil changes
  • Causes: head injury causing blood vessels to rupture
  • Risks: high in elderly patients (subdural); young adults and children (epidural)
  • Treatment: urgent surgical evacuation of the haematoma to relieve brain pressure

Contusions are bruises on the brain itself; intracerebral haemorrhage is bleeding within brain tissue.

  • Symptoms: headache, drowsiness, weakness, speech difficulties, seizures
  • Causes: direct impact to the head
  • Risks: falls in elderly, high-impact trauma, anticoagulant use
  • Treatment: observation for small bleeds; surgical removal for larger haemorrhages or worsening symptoms

These involve a portion of the skull being pushed inward, potentially damaging underlying brain tissue.

  • Symptoms: visible skull deformity, headache, neurological symptoms, bleeding
  • Causes: blunt force trauma
  • Risks: more common in assault injuries, falls, motor vehicle accidents
  • Treatment: surgical elevation and repair of the fracture; treatment of any associated brain injury

Hydrocephalus and CSF Disorders

The brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions and nourishes it. Disruptions to CSF flow or absorption can lead to serious complications. Coastal Neurosurgery offers expert diagnosis and surgical management of CSF disorders.

A condition where excess CSF accumulates within the brain’s ventricles, causing increased pressure.

  • Symptoms: headache, nausea, balance problems, cognitive changes
  • Causes: congenital malformations, tumours, infections, trauma
  • Risks: can occur at any age; congenital hydrocephalus affects around 1 in 1,000 Australian births
  • Treatment: insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) to divert CSF

A form of hydrocephalus in older adults, with normal CSF pressure on testing but clear clinical symptoms.

  • Symptoms: gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, cognitive decline
  • Causes: often idiopathic; can follow trauma, infection, or subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • Risks: more common over age 60
  • Treatment: insertion of a shunt to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life

A condition where CSF pressure is elevated without a detectable tumour.

  • Symptoms: headache, visual disturbances, pulsatile tinnitus
  • Causes: unknown in most cases; linked to obesity, hormonal changes
  • Risks: young women of childbearing age are at higher risk
  • Treatment: weight loss, medication to reduce CSF production, surgical CSF diversion in severe cases

At Coastal Neurosurgery, we understand that facing a brain condition can be daunting.

Our experienced team is committed to providing clear guidance, compassionate care and advanced surgical expertise to help you through every stage of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. We work collaboratively with referring doctors and allied health teams to ensure every patient receives truly comprehensive care, close to home on the Central Coast.

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