Neurological Surgery

Neurological disorders are the second leading cause of death and disease in the United States. The goal of Montefiore's Department of Neurological Surgery is to combat neurological disease through ever-more effective diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and research.

Expert sub-specialists and state-of-the-art facilities

Our surgeons are among the most experienced and respected in the nation. Montefiore meets the complex demands of neurosurgery with a team of sub-specialists in all relevant areas, including cerebrovascular disease, neuro-oncology, epilepsy, spine surgery, skull base and reconstructive surgery and pediatric neurosurgery.

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide our patients with access to the most contemporary procedures and resources. Our neurosurgical intensive care unit is staffed by critical care doctors and specially trained nurses. Montefiore has a long tradition of offering the best in patient care for disorders of the brain and spinal cord.

Superior diagnostics & evaluation

Montefiore's team approach begins in the diagnostic stage. Our neurosurgeons work closely with neuroradiologists and interventional neuroradiologists to ensure that our patients receive the very best and most appropriate diagnostic studies for their specific conditions. We use the most advanced imaging methods – including MRI, MRA, fMRI and PET scans as well as all conventional diagnostic studies.

Our goal is to determine whether a patient's situation requires minimally invasive treatment or surgery. Our neurosurgeons have extensive experience and are always ready to use the least invasive approach – whether this is endovascular coiling, stereotactic guided radiosurgery or microneurosurgery.

Minimally invasive cerebrovascular surgery

Montefiore's Cerebrovascular Center provides an interdisciplinary approach for the early diagnosis and treatment of disorders relating to the blood vessels of the brain, including stroke, carotid artery disease, intercranial aneurysms and cerebrovascular malformations.

Nearly half of all aneurysms are treated non-surgically at Montefiore, using catheter techniques that avoid open surgical procedures. Our expertise with angioplasty and stenting has further increased our ability to manage complex disorders.We also offer microsurgical management of arteriovenous malformations.

Advanced diagnostics in neuro-oncology

Montefiore has developed the most advanced diagnostic facilities for cancers of the brain and spine, including CT, MRI imaging and spectroscopy, PET and SPECT scanning. Our neurosurgeons work closely with neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists to determine the best course of treatment for each individual.

Our patients benefit from the most advanced microsurgical techniques. These include ultrasound and frameless stereotactic guidance, which uses graphics to guide surgeons through the brain and spine by pinpointing the precise location of brain tumors. This greatly increases the effectiveness and safety of the operation by reducing the surgical trauma to the brain.

The latest innovations in spine surgery

The department offers the latest technology for performing delicate spine surgery for the common causes of back pain – disc disease and degenerative arthritis. Members of the department who perform this surgery have had fellowship training in these techniques, in addition to the more traditional neurosurgical training. As a result, we can offer our patients decreased pain and less risk of dislocation of the spine.

Pediatric Neurosurgery

The pediatric neurosurgeons at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore manage all aspects of neurosurgical disorders of children: congenital problems, hydrocephalus, epiliepsy and brain tumors. They also specialize in managing rare and difficult problems such as spinal cord tumors, skull base tumors and birth disorders including malformations of the face and skull and conjoined twins.