Ask a Neurosurgeon: Dr Nicolas Kon from Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital Singapore

Ask a Doctor Forum › Category: Neurology › Ask a Neurosurgeon: Dr Nicolas Kon from Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital Singapore

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dr. Nicolas Kon asked 2 years ago

I am Dr Nicolas Kon, Neurosurgeon based in Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital Singapore. I am an experienced neurosurgeon practicing at Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital with special interest in neuro-oncology (brain tumours, awake surgery), minimally invasive brain surgery (brain tumours, brain haemorrhage), functional neurosurgery (trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, spasticity, spinal cord stimulation), and deep brain stimulation (Parkinson disease, tremors and other disorders). I am also an Adj Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. After completing medical school, I had postgraduate medical training in some of the best neurosurgery and neurocritical care centres in the UK at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, Charing Cross Hospital, London, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, and at the National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore. My PhD in neuroscience was obtained at Imperial College London. I did my advanced neurosurgery fellowship at the Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada under a top world-renowned neurosurgeon. Before practising at Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital, I was a consultant neurosurgeon at both Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) campuses under the Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and a visiting consultant at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore. I was the founding co-director of the NNI Centre for Deep Brain Stimulation, and the Centre for Neurotechnological Innovation. I am a specialist in the use of minimally invasive surgery of the brain and is the first neurosurgeon in Asia to introduce the use of minimally invasive neurosurgery using the Brainpath MIPS approach. I have trained many surgeons in Asia and Europe in minimally invasive techniques. I have been actively involved in research to further the field of neurosurgery and is the author of more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and hold several patents. I have been the principal investigator of many randomized controlled clinical trials and the recipient of national and international research grants. I have a longstanding commitment to neurosurgery and have received a long service award from the National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore for my contributions. I also received an Outstanding Faculty Award for the training of neurosurgery residents. In addition, I have a strong passion towards patient care and have been awarded several Service with A Heart awards by the Singapore General Hospital. Learn more about Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital here: https://patients.smarterhealth.my/hospital/mount-elizabeth-hospital-singapore/ Learn more about me here: https://patients.smarterhealth.my/specialist-doctor/nicolas-kon/ I am excited to be here to share/discuss Neuro Health with everyone. Whether you've got questions about brain tumours, neurocare or neuro diseases such as Parkinson, ask me anything! === Want to ask a question? Submit your question at the bottom of this page. Don’t forget to include your name and email address to get notified when the doctor answers your question.

10 Answers

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m.zaini answered 2 years ago

Doc, I am a 50 year old male. I have been experiencing pain in my hip for the past 3 months, lately it has been radiating to my crotch. I feel it when I walk. I have had a traditional massage 3 times now but there is no improvement. Is it nerve impingement?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

The type of pain can help to differentiate between nerve pain or pain from the hip joint. In this case, it would be helpful to assess the joint by an orthopaedic doctor especially as the pain is worse when you are walking and putting pressure on it.

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Rengga answered 2 years ago

Doc, this past year, my hands have been shaking, sometimes for no reason. I cannot write properly and I’ve dropped plates a few times because my hands are trembling. I read online on a health website that it is likely Parkinson’s. What should I do, Doc?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

Tremor is indeed one of the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but there are many other causes for tremor which affect both hands. These causes can be inherited or acquired. It sounds like your symptoms are starting to affect your day-to-day function. I would recommend evaluation by a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

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Santi answered 2 years ago

My father, who is diagnosed with a brain tumor, has done an MRI at RSPAD Jakarta. I want to ask about Cyberknife surgery. Is this method the most effective for brain tumors?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

The location of the tumour in the brain is one of the factors to take into consideration when deciding which treatment is best suited for your father. For some tumours for example those arising from the vestibular nerve, radiosurgery can often be a good treatment option. For tumours arising from other parts of the brain, surgery may be required. There are different surgical methods including minimally invasive surgery or even doing the surgery with the patient awake (awake craniotomy). Other factors that will determine the treatment include the person’s age, comorbidities, and tumour histology.

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Susanto answered 2 years ago

I often feel pain from my back to the waist. I’ve checked with a doctor and have been diagnosed with HNP. Can it heal by itself or must I undergo treatments?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

In some people, a herniated disc can be treated without surgery using medication and physical therapy. Other non-surgical methods involve injection or ablation using a needle. However, for some, depending on the severity of the problem, surgery is required. There are also different types of surgery that can be performed.

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Daniel Didi answered 2 years ago

Doctor, I have pain in a specific point at the back of my head, on the left side. I’ve had a fall before and my x-ray result shows I have nerve impingement in the neck. It was a long time ago. My question is, what is the likely cause of my head pain? Anda what is the medicine?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

It is not possible to pinpoint the cause of the headache based on the details provided. If the headache is new, I recommend a new workup for the cause of the pain.

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Rusman Adam answered 2 years ago

Hello, Doctor. One side of my wife’s face has been numb since 6 months ago. Eventually, her right arms and feet started shaking and were hard to move. What should I do, Doc?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

Your wife requires a careful neurological examination and MRI scan. This will help to establish the cause of the problem and treatment plan. It is very important to make sure that this is not a serious pathology.

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Sri Sayekti Suroso answered 2 years ago

Doctor, lately I feel like the left side of my face is tickling with an almost numb feeling, and the feeling is radiating to my shoulders and lower left back. I also sweat a lot. It hurts but then the pain fades away. It’s so uncomfortable. What should I do, Doctor?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

The description in this question is too vague and not answerable.

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Alindia answered 2 years ago

My child is 15 years old. He has been having seizures since he was a kid. Initially, it only happened when he had a fever, but lately it’s been happening when he is exhausted. Please give me your advice, Doctor, what is the proper treatment?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

Your child requires an epilepsy work-up. He may require regular seizure medication.

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Nabila Wanardini answered 2 years ago

It has been almost 2 weeks, my head is tense and it makes it hard for me to sleep. I feel like something is moving inside my head. What should I do?

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

I am sorry to hear that you have been having persistent symptoms for 2 weeks. There are many causes of headaches. There are some that are serious and require immediate medical attention especially if they have red flags. By this, we mean symptoms that suggest an underlying cause. You should consult a doctor to evaluate your symptoms

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Dionisius Bambang GA answered 2 years ago

Doc, I have a backache with HNP L4-L5. Can it be cured without surgery? Thank you

dr. Nicolas Kon replied 2 years ago

Ask a Neurosurgeon: Dr Nicolas Kon from Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital Singapore

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