Neurological Surgery

Department of Neurological Surgery

Each year thousands of people in upstate New York receive diagnoses for which neurological surgery is indicated. Today, patients with diseases and disorders of the brain, nervous system, and spinal cord can expect excellent outcomes, thanks to new techniques and technologies available at the University of Rochester.

At the University of Rochester Department of Neurosurgery, we have brought together an outstanding team of specialized neurosurgeons who can now offer adult and pediatric patients full-service, state-of-the-art neurosurgical care.

Equally important is our shared commitment to work with referring and primary care physicians to care for each patient and family with respect, compassion, and personal attention.

Whether the need is for neurosurgical intervention for brain or spinal tumors, malformations, trauma, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's or other movement disorders, or for pain control, our clinical Centers of Excellence now enable us to give each patient the best hope for survival and the highest possible quality of life.

As part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Health neurosurgeons work in well-coordinated multidisciplinary teams with other outstanding clinicians and researchers, enabling us to develop the most appropriate program for care for each individual. Our academic medical center-based practice also benefits patients through the fastest possible translation of scientific findings from bench to bedside for cutting edge clinical care.

We welcome the opportunity to work with referring physicians and primary care providers in support of patients who require neurosurgical care. We are maintaining our strong ties throughout the region, nationally and internationally. We offer immediate access to the highest level of subspecialty neurosurgical care and timely ongoing communication. We put our patients first, through a higher level of caring.

Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Frank P. Smith Professor and Chair
Department of Neurosurgery

NEUROSURGICAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

The Department of Neurological Surgery is proud to offer the following subspecialty Centers of Excellence - benefiting patients through focused, multidisciplinary clinical expertise and application of the newest surgical and imaging technologies. Rapid translation of research into innovative treatments for patients, "bench to bedside" is the focus of all our Centers of Excellence.

Image-Guided Neurosurgery Center

Robert S. Bakos, MD
Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Jason M. Schwalb , MD
Kevin A. Walter, MD
State-of-the-art computer navigation systems for mapping of the brain and spine allow safer and less invasive approaches to surgery.

• Stereotaxy
• Radiosurgery
• Craniotomies and Spine Surgery

Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center

Robert S. Bakos, MD
Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Thomas G. Rodenhouse, MD
Jason M. Schwalb , MD
Howard J. Silberstein, MD
Kevin A. Walter, MD
The Brain Tumor Center provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors in both children and adults. Revolutionary new technologies allow successful treatment of deep-seated or previously inoperable tumors. This Center is made possible by collaboration between specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology.

• Image-guided surgery
• Stereotactic surgery
• Cranial base surgery

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Robert S. Bakos, MD
Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Jason M. Schwalb , MD
Non-invasive surgical treatment of brain and spinal tumors and vascular malformations is now possible. Through the precise delivery of highly focused radiation, ablation of previously inoperable brain lesions is routinely achieved.

Neurosurgical Spine Center

Rafael Allende, MD
Robert S. Bakos, MD
Pierre Girgis, MD
Jason H. Huang, MD
Paul K. Maurer, MD
James Maxwell, MD
Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Thomas G. Rodenhouse, MD
Jason M. Schwalb , MD
Howard J. Silberstein, MD
G. Edward Vates, MD, PhD
Kevin A. Walter, MD
Neurosurgeons work collaboratively with specialists in rehabilitative medicine and orthopaedics to ensure the most
appropriate care for each patient.

• Spine Instrumentation
• Spinal Fusions, Anterior & Posterior Approach
• Spine Tumors
• Back & Leg Pain
• Neck & Arm Pain

Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Neurosurgery Center

Robert S. Bakos, MD
Jason M. Schwalb , MD
We are pleased to be able to offer surgical treatment such as deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's Disease, dystonia and tremor in collaboration with Strong Health's outstanding Movement and Inherited Neurological Disorders Unit.

• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Thalamotomy and Pallidotomy

Stroke Neurosurgery Center

Paul K. Maurer, MD
G. Edward Vates, MD. PhD
We have created the region's only combined Neurosurgical/ NeuroRadiological Endovascular program for the treatment of stroke, aneurysms, and AVM. Working collaboratively with specialists in our Stroke Center, this broad, holistic approach ensures the most appropriate, least invasive treatment for each patient.

• Acute treatment of stroke and vascular brain lesions
• Carotid arteries, Carotid endartarectomies
• Transient Ischemic Attack
• Intracerebellar Hemorrhage
• Aneurysms
• Arteriovenous Malformations
• Cerebrovascular/Endovascular Disorders
• Cavernous Malformations

Pediatric Neurosurgery Center

Howard J. Silberstein, MD
Children with a wide variety of brain and spinal cord problems receive neurosurgical care, with special attention for their families as well. Because of the volume of patients we see, our pediatric neurosurgical staff is able to offer dedicated multi-disciplinary clinics for patients with brain tumor, Spina Bifida, and spasticity.

• Pediatric Brain Tumor
• Spina Bifida
• Spasticity
• Myelomeningocele
• Hydrocephalus
• Vascular Malformations
• Craniofacial Disorders

Neurosurgical Pain Treatment Center

Robert S. Bakos, MD
John H. Markman, MD,
Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Jason M. Schwalb , MD
Howard J. Silberstein, MD
Specialists in the neurosurgical management of pain work in concert with other specialists at the University of Rochester Pain Treatment Center, to provide patients with state of the art options for pain control.

• Cancer Pain
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Failed back syndrome pain
• Morphine Pumps, Baclofen Pumps
• Ablations, Stimulators

Epilepsy Neurosurgery Treatment Center

Webster H. Pilcher, MD, PhD
Neurosurgical approaches to seizure control are a key offering of the Strong Health Epilepsy Center. Working collaboratively with specialists in neurology, neurophysiolog,. Strong neurosurgeons can provide dramatic relief in many cases.

• Surgical Treatment of Intractable Epilepsy
• Vagal Nerve Stimulators