• Which Doctor Should I See?

Conditions We Treat

The Emory Department of Neurological Surgery specializes in surgery to treat problems involving the brain, spine, and nerves. We have the unique ability to readily diagnose and treat even the most complicated neurological conditions in both adult and pediatric patients. These include disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system, brain, meninges, skull and blood supply; disorders of the pituitary gland; disorders of the spine and spinal cord; and disorders of the cranial and spinal nerves.

• Brain tumors
  
  Surgery and Clinical Research
  In collaboration with oncologists at the Emory Winship Cancer Institute, our neurosurgeons perform innovative procedures for nervous system tumors and neurological complications of cancer. You can learn through our Brain Tumor Program website, which is an ongoing clinical investigation into the causes and treatments of brain cancer.
  Read more about the Brain Tumor Program at Emory
  Learn about Emory's Brain Tumor Support Group


• Pituitary tumors
  The pituitary surgery center at Emory is a multidisciplinary clinical service with a team of Board-certified specialists internationally recognized for their expertise. At Emory, we provide state-of-the-art diagnostic expertise in all aspects of endocrinology and neuroradiology, and comprehensive therapy of pituitary and hypothalamic disorders, with expertise in neurosurgery, radiation therapy and medical therapy.
  Read more about pituitary tumors
  
  
• Neuro-Endoscopy
  Neuroendoscopy describes the use of endoscopes to gain access to the brain, allowing a "minimally invasive" approach to some lesions. At Emory, we are specialize in intraventricular neuro-endoscopic procedures, including endoscopic colloid cyst removal, endoscopic third ventriculostomies (ETVs) for obstructive hydrocephalus, endoscopic pineal region mass biopsy and endoscopic intraventricular tumor removal. We also perform neuro-endoscopic endonasal skull base procedures, which include minimally invasive resection of clival chordomas, meningiomas and craniopharyngiomas.
  Read more about neuroendoscopy
  
  
• Epilepsy
  Working in conjunction with Emory neurologists, our neurosurgeons are leading the field in the use of surgery to treat certain cases of epilepsy.
  Read more about epilepsy
  
  
• Stroke, vascular malformations and aneurysms
  Cerebrovascular patients are treated at the Emory Stroke Center, which is staffed by specially trained neurosurgeons and other highly skilled Emory physicians.
  Read more abou stroke, vascular malformations and aneurysms
  
  
• Pediatric neurosurgery
  The Emory Children's Center Division of Neurology is dedicated to the evaluation and care of children with disorders of the brain, nerves, muscles and spinal cord. Our staff cares for children of all ages, from infants to adolescents.
  Read more about pediatric neurosurgery


• Head and Neck Pain
  Our neurosurgeons collaborate with pain and spine specialists to provide an optimal diagnosis and treatment plan for head and neck pain.
  Read more about head and neck pain
  
  
• Interventional Neuroradiology
  Neuroradiology involves 2D, 3D, and functional imaging of the brain and nervous system so neurosurgeons are better able to plan procedures and reduce operating room time. Our specialty includes interventional neuroradiological procedures, which offer a less invasive means to treat certain neurovascular conditions including cerebral aneurysms, arterio-venous malformations, tumors, stroke, and compression fractures among others.
  Read more about interventional neuroradiology
  
  
• Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery
  Some of our neurosurgeons specialize in functional neurosurgery, which involves destroying or stimulating part of the brain as treatment of a physiological or psychological disorder. Stereotactic neurosurgery is another minimally-invasive form of surgery, which involves 3D imaging to locate and treat small targets inside the body. "Stereotactic" in Greek means movement in space. Our neurosurgeons are successfully using these procedures to treat disorders including chronic-pain syndromes, movement disorders and epilepsy.
  
  
• Neurointensive Care
  For critically ill patients, Emory offers immediate, around-the-clock neurointensive care. Our neurointensive care unit (NICU) is specifically devoted to patients with life-threatening neurological conditions ranging from head trauma to stroke.
  Read more about neurointensive and emergency care
  


• Peripheral Nerve Damage
  Peripheral Nerve Subspecialty Care is available with Nicholas Boulis at Emory University Hospital, or at Grady Memorial Hospital with Chief of Service Dr. Odette Harris. Our team of neurosurgeons specializes in disorders of the peripheral nerves, or those nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nerve surgery attempts to repair damaged nerves, remove compression from nerves (Carpal Tunnel and Ulnar Neuropathy), and remove tumors of nerves without damage to the parent nerves. To make an appointment with our team of peripheral nerve specialists at Grady, contact Wendolyn Roberson at 404-778-1398.
  Read more about peripheral nerve damage

Physician Finder
Unsure which doctor you should see? Use this chart:

Physician	Specialty/diagnosis
Daniel L. Barrow, MD	Stroke, vascular neurosurgery, brain aneurysms, vascular malformations of brain/spinal cord, carotid artery disease, spinal cord tumors, skull base surgery, meningiomas
William J. Benedict, MD	Neuro-oncology, skull base surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, endoscopic surgery, cranial and spinal trauma, spinal degenerative disease, deformity, neuro-critical care
Nicholas M. Boulis, MD	Functional neurosurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, trigeminal neuralgia, refractory pain
C. Michael Cawley, MD, FACS	Aneurysm, brain and spinal vascular malformations, stroke, transient ischemic attacks
Jacques E. Dion, MD, FRCP (C)	Intracranial aneurysm treatment, carotid artery and intracranial angioplasty and stenting, tumor embolization, carotid and cerebral angiography, acute stroke therapy, stroke thrombolysis, mechanical clot retrieval, spinal angiography, spinal embolization, percutaneous vertebroplasty
Robert E. Gross, MD, PhD	Dystonia, epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, Parkinson's disease, physiology of movement disorders, tremor, surgical treatment of psychiatric disorders, pain
Sanjay Gupta, MD	Complicated spine surgery, spine trauma
Costas Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD	Surgical neuro-oncology, stereotactic radiosurgery and brain biopsies, experimental therapeutics for malignant glioma, complex cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal instrumentation, microvascular decompression, neuro-endoscopy, peripheral nerve
Odette Harris, MD, MPH	Periferal nerve and head injury
Franklin Lin, MD	Complex Spine, Spine Trauma, Head Trauma, Craniofacial Reconstruction
Jeffery J. Olson, MD	Tumors, cancer, brain tumors, cranial nerve disorder, lesions of the anterior and posterior skull base, investigative therapy
Nelson M. Oyesiku, MD, PhD, FACS	Radiosurgery, pituitary tumors, brain tumors
Gerald E. Rodts, Jr., MD	Spine surgery
Owen B. Samuels, MD	Trauma, acute brain injury, cerebral edema, stroke, transient ischemic attacks
Frank C. Tong, MD	Intracranial aneurysm treatment, carotid artery and intracranial angioplasty and stenting, tumor embolization, carotid and cerebral angiography, acute stroke therapy, stroke thrombolysis, mechanical clot retrieval, spinal angiography, spinal embolization, percutaneous vertebroplasty.
Erwin G. Van Meir, PhD	Cancer research, brain tumors, anti-cancer therapy, drug development, oncolytic virus
Wendy L. Wright,  MD	Aneurysm, brain injury, cerebral edema, head injury, stroke
David M. Wrubel, MD	Brain tumors, spina bifida, spinal tumors, pediatric neurosurgery