Neurosurgery

Overview

Mayo Clinic's neurosurgery departments have extensive experience and expertise in caring for patients with problems involving the head, spine, cerebrovascular system and peripheral nerves. More than 20 neurosurgeons at the three Mayo Clinic locations perform several thousand neurosurgical procedures each year, making them among the most experienced surgeons in the world.

Mayo neurosurgeons work closely with other specialists, especially Neurology, Neuro-oncology, Neuro-radiology, Orthopedics, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and Endocrinology so that patients have access to a broad range of expertise. Working as a team, neurosurgeons and highly skilled support staff use state-of-the-art technology to provide the most appropriate care for Mayo Clinic patients. Among their special capabilities are:

• Computer-assisted stereotactic surgery and radiosurgery to accurately locate, remove or otherwise treat brain tumors, including awake surgery and cortical resections for gliomas
• Computer-assisted surgeries for spinal disorders including microscopic and endoscopic surgery
• Current Gamma Knife technology
• Intracranial vascular surgery
• Pediatric neurosurgery
• Brain mapping
• Carotid artery surgery and endovascular treatment
• Cerebrovascular disorders including cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and hemangiomas
• Intraoperative MRI
• Deep brain stimulation
• Surgical treatment for epilepsy including vagal nerve stimulation
• Surgical treatment for movement disorders including Parkinson's disease
• Spinal tumors, vascular lesions and complex spinal reconstruction
• Surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm
• Surgery for pituitary tumors
• Multidisciplinary treatment of complex skull base tumors
• Multidisciplinary treatment of complex peripheral nerve disorders

Research

Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons practice in an atmosphere of scientific inquiry, carefully analyzing their large-volume surgical practice for ways to improve. Many brain and nerve clinical trials involving leading-edge treatment are available to patients.