The Department of Neurosurgery consists of experts in several key areas:

The Brain Tumor Team specializes in the care of patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the brain, including pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, and skull base tumors. We take a multidisciplinary approach to care and employ the most-advanced surgical technologies, including intraoperative MRI scanning, stereotactic image-guided navigation, endoscopy, direct brain motor and speech mapping, functional MRI mapping, and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Our team’s research interests include inquiry into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of central nervous system tumors and the potential use of neural and pluripotent stem cells to repair brain tissue following injury or disease.

The doctors in our Pituitary and Skull Base Tumor Center provide comprehensive, world-class care to patients with noncancerous tumors of the pituitary gland. We treat approximately 200 of the 1,300 such tumors diagnosed in men and women in the United States each year.

Inside the Operating Room--Surgery is the treatment of choice for any brain tumor that can be reached without causing severe damage to normal tissue.

MRI Evaluation--If any residual tumor is found during MRI evaluation, surgery can be resumed and the remaining cancerous tissue removed. Being able to reevaluate the patient's tumor with MRI during surgery allows neurosurgeons to operate with increased precision and will reduce the need for and risk of a second operation.

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Team focuses on the surgical treatment of children with brain and spinal tumors. Our experts work closely with our pediatric neuro-oncologists in designing unique protocols for treatment. We are currently leading a phase I clinical trial for children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), directly infusing radioactive antibodies into the brain stem in an attempt to stop these difficult tumors.

The Spine Tumor Team specializes in the care of patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the spine and spinal cord. Our team approach to treatment brings together experts in highly specialized areas of cancer care, and our weekly multidisciplinary clinic and tumor board facilitates and coordinates patient care. Our team evaluates more than 1,500 spine tumors a year, with the goal of creating the most effective individualized treatment plan for each patient to improve neurologic function and mobility, stabilize the spine, control local tumor growth, and ultimately improve quality of life. Our team’s research interests include improving the delivery and effectiveness of radiosurgery as well as designing and overseeing longitudinal studies and prospective clinical trials designed to determine the optimal treatment of patients with spinal tumors.