Learn more about UW Medicine’s Neurological Surgery program and the expertise of our neurosurgeons.
Learn more about UW Medicine’s Neurological Surgery program and the expertise of our neurosurgeons.
At UW Medicine, we are home to three of the region’s top hospitals and one of the largest groups of neurosurgeons in the state. Our neurosurgical team uses the most advanced surgical treatments to provide the highest-quality care for conditions affecting the brain, spine and spinal column.
Our team performs 5,000 surgeries annually, including minimally invasive procedures and complex open surgeries. You can feel confident that a skillful team of accomplished neurosurgeons will provide you with expert care.
At UW Medicine, we have dozens of neurosurgeons who each bring their unique expertise to your larger care team. Our neurosurgeons work alongside UW Medicine nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and others specializing in neurosurgery.
Our team is trained in various neurosurgery specialties and procedures, including brain/computer interfaces, deep brain stimulation (DBS), Gamma Knife® radiosurgery, neurotrauma and neurocritical care, and surgical pain treatment.
Both noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) tumors including meningioma.
Brain blood vessel conditions such as brain aneurysms, cavernomas, AVM and Moyamoya disease.
Including spinal fractures and scoliosis.
First-time seizures, focal, generalized and refractory epilepsy.
Cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the skull base.
Ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and TIAs (transient ischemic attacks).
A promising Alpine skiing athlete was on track to make the U.S. Ski Team when she started experiencing troubling symptoms. Eventually, Lindsay was diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in her brain.
Neurological Surgery Clinic
908 Jefferson St., 5th Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Directions and additional info »
Gamma Knife Center
325 9th Ave., GCT 44
Seattle, WA 98014
Directions and additional info »
Northwest Institute for Nerve Injury
908 Jefferson St., 6th Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Neurological Surgery Clinic
1959 NE Pacific St., 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98195
Directions and additional info »
Alvord Brain Tumor Center
1959 NE Pacific St., 7th Floor
Seattle, WA 98195
During the pandemic, Tina Allsop, an administrator in the Bellingham School District in Washington, had to adapt to online education and constant virtual meetings. When she developed severe headaches and vision changes, she sought medical help, only to discover a grapefruit-sized meningioma in her brain.
Neurosurgeons are medical doctors with many years of training in surgery. They diagnose and treat problems with the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Neurosurgeons also care for the nerves that branch out from your spinal cord and run through the rest of your body (peripheral nervous system).
If an illness or injury affects any part of your nervous system, you may have certain symptoms. These can include pain, numbness, weakness, tremors, balance problems or memory problems.
Sometimes you can treat these problems with lifestyle changes, medicine or rehabilitation. But in other cases, you may need advanced treatments that only a neurosurgeon can provide.
Your primary care provider (PCP) or neurologist may refer you to a neurosurgeon if:
You may also receive care from a neurosurgeon if you have a brain or spine emergency. This type of care includes treatments for:
In some cases – like if you’re seeking a second opinion – you can also see a neurosurgeon without a doctor’s referral. Check with your health insurance provider for more information about self-referrals.
When it’s time for your first appointment with a neurosurgeon, you’ll begin with a thorough evaluation. Your appointment may include:
Your neurosurgeon may order new or extra tests to help get more information about your condition. These tests include:
If you don’t already have a diagnosis, these tests can help rule out certain problems and pinpoint the source of your symptoms. However, if a specialist has already diagnosed your condition, these tests may help your surgeon determine the most effective treatment.
A team-based model of care strives to meet patient needs and preferences by actively engaging patients as full participants in their care, while encouraging and supporting all health care professionals to function to the full extent of their education, certification, and licensure.
At UW Medicine, your neurosurgeon is one member of a larger care team. They can refer you (or work with) any other specialists who may help improve your treatment or recovery. These specialists may include:
There are several clinics offering neurosurgery. Phone numbers for those clinics are listed below.
Harborview Medical Center, Neurological Surgery Clinic - 206.744.9300
UW Medical Center - Montlake, Neurological Surgery Clinic - 206.598.5637
Alvord Brain Tumor Center - 206.598.2282
The UW School of Medicine ranks No. 2 in the nation in federal research funding. This allows us to conduct clinical and scientific research related to new neurological discoveries and safer, more effective treatments. As our patient, you can enroll in clinical trials that let you try promising new therapies or surgical techniques before they’re widely available.