Doctors Who Treat Spinal Schwannomas

Although a spinal tumor may be suspected or even tentatively diagnosed by the person’s primary care physician, schwannomas should only be treated by an experienced neurosurgeon. Within neurosurgery, there are sub-specialists whose expertise in treating spinal schwannomas in people is unparalleled:

A neurosurgeon in a spinal practice is fully qualified to perform any kind of spinal surgery.  Neurosurgery is a demanding practice that requires the most skilled surgeons with the most extensive experience along with compassion and empathy for people. The neurosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center perform complex surgical procedures every week and have an international reputation for their expertise.

Neurosurgeons who specialize in stereotactic radiosurgery have advanced training in the use of advanced stereotactic techniques and equipment, including the Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, proton beams, and linear accelerators. These noninvasive techniques are on the cutting edge of neurosurgery and require the most experienced surgeons with the most up-to-date training in the technology and procedures used to treat many conditions, including schwannomas.

A highly trained team of spinal neurosurgeons and radiosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center are available to treat schwannomas and other spinal tumors.

Roger Härtl, M.D., named as one of the top 50 spine surgeons in the United States, is Co-director of the Weill Cornell Spine Center and Director of Spinal Surgery and Neurotrauma at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center. He’s also the official neurosurgeon for the New York Giants. Dr. Härtl's clinical and research expertise is in simple and complex spine surgery, neurotrauma, and neurocritical care medicine. Dr. Härtl believes that surgery should be a part of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and he works very closely with other specialists in a team effort to achieve the best outcome for his patients. (Read more about Dr. Härtl.)

Kai-Ming Fu, M.D., Ph.D., obtained his undergraduate degrees from Stanford University and his medical and graduate training in the MD/PhD program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Fu specializes in minimal access surgery as well as having advanced training in reconstructive, deformity, and oncological spine surgery. (Read more about Dr. Fu.)

Dr. Susan Pannullo is board-certified in both Neurology and Neurological Surgery and specializes in stereotactic radiosurgery. Her practice allows her access to the Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, and Brainlab iX, all of which allow non-invasive treatment of spinal tumors and other conditions of the brain and spine. (Read more about Dr. Pannullo.)

Philip E. Stieg, Ph.D., M.D., the chairman and neurosurgeon-in-chief of the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, leads the cerebrovascular team. Dr. Stieg is one of the top neurosurgeons in the nation, having been named one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly each year since that designation was created nearly two decades ago. Dr. Stieg has developed an international reputation in the area of cerebrovascular disorders and surgery; his work has been broadly published, and he has contributed to groups such as the Joint Sections of Cerebrovascular Surgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS). He is the past President of the Society of University Neurosurgeons and has received multiple awards and honors for his work. (Read more about Dr. Stieg.)

The neurosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center are fortunate to be part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital team. The 2013-14 "America's Best Hospitals" ranking in US News and World Report placed NewYork-Presbyterian as one of the top hospitals in the United States. Together, the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center team is the best choice for your back.

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