Neurosurgery Experts

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine is devoted to the evaluation and treatment of pediatric and adult diseases of the central nervous system. We use a full range of neuromedical and neurosurgical technologies to provide the most up-to-date and effective treatments for the entire spectrum of neurological disease.

Our patients are seen by a team of interdisciplinary specialists who are dedicated to the finest tradition of care.

It's simple: Our experience, dedication to patients, innovative technologies and commitment to research excellence. UChicago Medicine neurosurgeons are often among the first in the region to adopt new, advanced surgical techniques. For instance, we were among the first to perform minimally invasive lumbar disk surgery and to treat Parkinson's disease, pain, and other conditions with drug pumps and spinal and brain electrodes.

Multidisciplinary Care

Since 1928, our Department of Neurosurgery has been committed to providing patients with the most experienced physicians, leading-edge technology and advances in research. Our aim is to provide the best possible treatment, whether surgical or not. Our neurosurgeons work side by side with some of the nation's leading neurologists, oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons and other specialists. All the experts at UChicago Medicine work together to find the treatment that best meets a patient’s needs.

Experienced Surgeons

Research shows that experience greatly influences surgery success rates. Our academic staff is composed of board-certified or board-eligible surgeons who have chosen to specialize in a specific type of neurosurgery. Our current areas of expertise include:

  • Critical care neurosurgery 
  • Functional and stereotactic surgery
  • Neurosurgical oncology (tumors)
  • Neurovascular surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Peripheral nerve surgery
  • Spine surgery

By choosing a defined focus, our neurosurgeons have become experts in performing a broad number of specific procedures, which allows us to provide more options for patients. Because of their expertise, our neurosurgeons often perform successful surgeries on patients who are viewed as inoperable or a high-risk case elsewhere.

Our neurosurgeons are acknowledged as a multidisciplinary team of distinction by the North American Skull Base Society.

Advanced Treatment Options

Advanced stereotactic, or 3-D computer-imaging, techniques enable our neurosurgeons to plan procedures in advance and with greater precision. For instance, these stereotactic techniques allow our surgeons to precisely locate the area of the brain that's responsible for seizures. In fact, these models have helped us identify brain abnormalities that were missed on prior MRI studies. Such patients — who otherwise might have gone untreated —were then able to undergo surgery to control their seizures.

Superior Outcomes

Over the last decade, our neurosurgery program has ranked among the top academic medical centers on key quality measurements for success and safety of procedures. Industry-standard ratings show that significantly fewer UChicago Medicine patients died after undergoing neurosurgical procedures at our medical center than statistical models predict based on the severity of patient cases.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Our neurosurgery department offers the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery, which results in shorter recovery times and fewer surgical risks than traditional surgery. These procedures include:
  • Endoscopic techniques to treat tumors, trigeminal neuralgia and many other problems. These procedures typically involve operating through a small incision using a thin catheter.
  • Implantation of electrical stimulators to help control Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and other disorders. Examples include vagal nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation.
  • Radiosurgery, which uses focused radiation to treat brain and spinal tumors, aneurysms and blood vessel abnormalities. While called surgery, radiosurgery does not involve any incisions.
  • Sophisticated 3D computer-imaging — known as stereotactic technology — for surgical planning.

Full Range of Treatment Options

We offer the full range of conventional and complex open skull surgeries to treat tumors, pituitary problems, seizures, brain swelling and other conditions. We are experts in spinal neurosurgery for injuries and tumors of the spine and spinal cord, including:

  • Complex spinal surgery, such as the placement of metallic implants to stabilize the spine
  • Minimally invasive techniques for herniated lumbar disks
  • Removal of spinal cord tumor
  • Surgery for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disc degeneration and protrusions

Pain Management

Our physicians are dedicated to the treatment and control of pain. We offer specialized pain management techniques, including:
  • Deep brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation
  • Intraspinal pumps for drug delivery
  • Selected nerve interruption

Meet Our Expert Neurosurgeons

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You can also make an appointment with our providers by:

Scheduling a virtual video visit to see a provider from the comfort of your home

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To speak to someone directly, please call 1-773-702-2123. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

 

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Neurosurgery