About Neurosurgery

The Department of Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital provides a complete range of surgical services for the diagnosis, surgical treatment and rehabilitation of neurologic disorders of the brain and spine.

Unique Scale and Experience

Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of Neurosurgery operates 86 dedicated beds, with a 22 bed ICU. As one of the nation's leading neurosurgery centers, we treat around 70-90 patients a day, and we perform more than 3,600 neurosurgical procedures each year. This unique scale means that when patients bring a neurosurgical problem to Mass General, even a relatively rare one, our doctors have the experience and expertise needed to provide the best possible treatment.

Our multidisciplinary team includes 22 faculty neurosurgeons and 21 residents-in-training. Surgeries are performed in state-of-the-art neurosurgery operating rooms in the Lunder Building at Mass General.

Specialized Expertise

Our staff specializes in all phases of neurological surgery for comprehensive management of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve diseases and disorders.

The service is divided by subspecialties, each staffed by surgeons and clinicians with intensive expertise and focus in an area of specialization:

• Brain tumors
• Cerebrovascular
• Pituitary tumors / neuroendocrine disorders
• Cranial base
• Spine cord disorders
• Paralysis
• Peripheral nerve surgery
• Pediatric neurosurgery 
• Functional neurosurgery
• Neurotrauma and neurointensive care

Collaborating Toward Better Care

Our surgeons work closely with other specialists across the spectrum of care—nursing, hematology, radiology, neuro-oncology, neurology, physical therapists and others—to come to an accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment.

In addition to traditional, “open” surgical techniques, patients also may be treated with more advanced, minimally invasive procedures, such as:

• Endovascular neurosurgery
• Radiation-based surgery (proton beam)
• Thermal/radiofrequency surgery
• Computer-guided surgery
• Endoscopic surgery

Our surgeons work with a highly-trained support staff and use state-of-the-art technology and methods. The goal is to make sure every patient has access to the most advanced treatments needed and gets the comprehensive care they need.