Neurosurgery

About the Neurosurgery Department

At the BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi Neurosurgery Department, we diagnose and treat surgical conditions affecting the spine, spinal cord, and nervous system. Adopting advanced technology standards, our department utilizes modern methods such as microsurgery, neuronavigation, and neuromonitoring. We work in multidisciplinary harmony with neurology, neuroradiology, neuroanesthesia, and psychiatry units to safeguard your health.

Which Conditions Are Treated?

Disc and Degenerative Spine Diseases

Conditions such as herniated discs in the neck, back, and lower back, spinal canal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis fall under this area. Cervical, lumbar, and thoracic discectomies, vertebrectomy, laminectomy, and spinal stabilization (instrumentation) surgeries are performed safely. With our successful spine surgery hospital experience, we support patients who have lost their ability to walk in getting back on their feet.

Deep Brain Stimulation and Functional Neurosurgery

Parkinson's disease, which presents with symptoms such as resting tremors, slowed movements, and walking difficulties, severely affects the quality of life. For our patients seeking effective Parkinson's treatment in Istanbul, deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS) is successfully performed in our clinic. Deep brain stimulation is also used in the treatment of conditions like essential tremor, dystonia, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and epilepsy.

Neuro-oncology (Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors)

Surgical treatment for all types of brain and spinal cord tumors is performed by our expert teams. Safe surgical principles are applied in challenging cases such as meningiomas, glial tumors, pituitary tumors, brainstem, and skull base tumors.

Vascular Diseases of the Brain and Spinal Cord

Surgical interventions for life-threatening vascular diseases such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), and cavernoma hemorrhages are performed using microscopic methods.

Traumas

Emergency surgical interventions are available 24/7 for depressed fractures, brain hemorrhages (epidural and subdural hematomas), and spinal cord compression resulting from head and spine traumas.

Pediatric Neurosurgery

The diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital anomalies, hydrocephalus, deep-seated brain tumors, and epilepsy seen in childhood are provided with utmost care.

Diagnostic Methods

We utilize advanced imaging technologies such as PET/CT, high-resolution MRI, and computed tomography for the accurate diagnosis of conditions.

Gait Analysis Laboratory

Gait analysis is the quantitative evaluation, description, and interpretation of movements. In our laboratory, this analysis is carried out in two main stages:

• Physical Examination: The analysis begins with a detailed physical examination, evaluation of joint range of motion (ROM), and measurement of joint angles (goniometric measurements). Height, weight, leg length, and joint space measurements are meticulously performed.
• 3D Motion Assessment: On the walking platform, the movements of markers attached to the body during walking are detected by infrared and DV cameras and transferred to a specialized computer. The computer recordings are evaluated in detail, both graphically and in 3D, and compiled into a report.

Treatment Methods and Applications

We use technologies that prioritize patient safety in our surgical operations.

Tumor Fluorescence and Neuronavigation

Neuronavigation is a vital technology that maps the tumor during brain tumor surgeries. To remove the tumor without damaging healthy brain tissue, the neuronavigation device protects tissues and ensures the most accurate treatment. Additionally, safe and extensive resection (removal) of brain tumors using fluorescence-guided (tumor staining) surgery—available in a limited number of centers worldwide and in Turkey—is performed at our hospital.

Technology and Our Expert Team

Our hospital is equipped with current medical technologies such as CyberKnife, Gamma Knife, and PET/CT. In our department, which is referenced across neurosurgery in Istanbul, our experienced neurosurgeons Prof. Dr. Mustafa KILIÇ, Op. Dr. Erkan GÜRGEN, and Op. Dr. Rifat Saygın ALTINAĞ are at your service. With our physicians' expertise and advanced technological infrastructure, your health is in safe hands. You can book an online appointment to get an evaluation from our specialists.

When to Consult a Neurosurgeon?

If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, it is important to see a specialist without delay:

• Severe, sudden onset, and persistent headaches
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or one side of the body
• Resting tremors in the hands or slowed movements
• Loss of balance, difficulty walking, and frequent falls
• Progressively worsening lower back, neck, and back pain
• Loss of strength and muscle weakness
• Visual disturbances, double vision, or speech disorders
• Unexplained fainting, seizures, and changes in consciousness

Appointment and Examination Process

Your examination process at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi begins with listening to your complaints and a detailed neurological examination. Necessary radiological tests are scheduled on the same day, and your results are meticulously evaluated by our physicians. The most suitable surgical or medical treatment plan for you is explained in detail and in plain language. If you want to take the first step for your health, you can book an appointment now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does deep brain stimulation surgery take?

Deep brain stimulation surgeries are generally completed within 3 to 5 hours. A large part of the procedure is performed under local anesthesia while the patient is awake and communicating with the physician. The duration may vary depending on the patient's condition.

Is herniated disc surgery risky?

Thanks to advanced microsurgical methods, the risks of herniated disc surgeries have been minimized today. In operations performed using a surgical microscope, nerve tissues are protected, and our patients can usually be discharged walking the day after surgery.

What is the recovery process like after brain tumor surgery?

The recovery process varies depending on whether the tumor is benign or malignant, its location, and the patient's general health condition. The use of advanced technologies such as neuronavigation and tumor fluorescence significantly accelerates the postoperative recovery process by protecting healthy tissues. Most of our patients are discharged from the hospital within a few days.

Is physical therapy required after spine surgery?

Although it varies depending on the patient's condition and the extent of the surgery, physical therapy programs may be recommended after surgery to accelerate recovery, especially in patients with muscle weakness or prolonged nerve compression.