Neurosurgery

Leading-edge, noninvasive programs for brain, spine, and nervous system disorders

Finding out you need neurosurgery can be scary. When you choose IU Health for your neurosurgical care, you’re in good hands.

Our neurosurgery team is world-renowned and highly skilled. Whether you need surgery to remove a brain tumor or are dealing with a back or neck issue, you will receive the most advanced neurosurgical care available.

At IU Health, our focus is on helping you achieve the best outcome from neurosurgery. The neurosurgery team will tailor your care to your individual situation and recovery goals.

When it comes to back or neck surgery, we take a conservative approach and if possible, exhaust non-surgical treatment options first. However, if you do need surgery, we use sophisticated imaging technology combined with minimally invasive techniques to ensure the accuracy of our approach and a quicker recovery time.

We provide cutting-edge programs that embrace both non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches, covering a wide array of options, including:

  • Stereotactic surgery
  • Gamma knife radiosurgery
  • Focused ultrasounds (FUS)
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
  • Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)
  • Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS)

The conditions we treat surgically may include: 

Neuro-oncology at IU Health

Our neurosurgeons are part of IU Health’s neuro-oncology team, which also includes Indiana’s only two fellowship-trained neuro-oncologists, as well as neuropathologists and radiation oncologists. Together, the team delivers the highest level of care for patients who have been diagnosed with brain or spinal tumors.

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Our neurosurgeons are on the front line of precision surgery for acoustic neuromas. Acoustic neuromas have the potential to affect a patient’s balance and hearing nerves. Large tumors that compress the brainstem are often surgically removed. They can grow quite large and affect hearing or compress the brain stem.

At IU Health, we’ve removed some of the largest of these tumors while still preserving facial function. Indiana University is part of a national clinical trial for large acoustic neuromas. We also treat many other types of skull based tumors.

Our Approach to Neurosurgery

At IU Health, our focus is on helping you achieve the best outcome from neurosurgery. The neurosurgery team will tailor your care to your individual situation and recovery goals.

When it comes to back or neck surgery, we take a conservative approach and if possible, exhaust non-surgical treatment options first. However, if you do need surgery, we use sophisticated imaging technology combined with minimally invasive techniques to ensure the accuracy of our approach and a quicker recovery time.

We provide cutting-edge programs that embrace both non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches, covering a wide array of options, including:

  • Stereotactic surgery
  • Gamma knife radiosurgery
  • Focused ultrasounds (FUS)
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
  • Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)
  • Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS)

The conditions we treat surgically may include: 

Neuro-oncology at IU Health

Our neurosurgeons are part of IU Health’s neuro-oncology team, which also includes Indiana’s only two fellowship-trained neuro-oncologists, as well as neuropathologists and radiation oncologists. Together, the team delivers the highest level of care for patients who have been diagnosed with brain or spinal tumors.

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Our neurosurgeons are on the front line of precision surgery for acoustic neuromas. Acoustic neuromas have the potential to affect a patient’s balance and hearing nerves. Large tumors that compress the brainstem are often surgically removed. They can grow quite large and affect hearing or compress the brain stem.

At IU Health, we’ve removed some of the largest of these tumors while still preserving facial function. Indiana University is part of a national clinical trial for large acoustic neuromas. We also treat many other types of skull based tumors.

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons are among the most highly trained physicians in Indiana, if not the entire world.

Additionally, we have some of the most sophisticated technology for neurosurgeries. This means that you can have confidence in your care team knowing that we are always using the newest and best evidence-based practices for your treatment. That said, we know your care is more than the latest new instrument, which is why you have an entire team on your side to help determine the best care for you.

The Only System Offering Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

For patients with brain metastases and other brain diseases, the Perfexion Gamma Knife delivers precisely-focused radiation beams to the cancerous tissue, sparing the healthy tissue. This is the only system of its kind in Indiana.

Minimally Invasive Focused Ultrasound (FUS)

A focused ultrasound (FUS) or high-intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU]), is a cutting-edge, non-invasive operation now available at IU Health. The FUS procedure is an outpatient procedure that just takes a few hours. Patients who have battled tremors for years, trying numerous medications, have found profound relief through this procedure.

Built-in Support Services

When your surgery is complete, we offer support services including physical therapy and rehabilitation to ensure your complete recovery. IU Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, aiming to support you in optimizing your treatment and recovery journey.

Why IU Health for Neurosurgical Care

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons are among the most highly trained physicians in Indiana, if not the entire world.

Additionally, we have some of the most sophisticated technology for neurosurgeries. This means that you can have confidence in your care team knowing that we are always using the newest and best evidence-based practices for your treatment. That said, we know your care is more than the latest new instrument, which is why you have an entire team on your side to help determine the best care for you.

The Only System Offering Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

For patients with brain metastases and other brain diseases, the Perfexion Gamma Knife delivers precisely-focused radiation beams to the cancerous tissue, sparing the healthy tissue. This is the only system of its kind in Indiana.

Minimally Invasive Focused Ultrasound (FUS)

A focused ultrasound (FUS) or high-intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU]), is a cutting-edge, non-invasive operation now available at IU Health. The FUS procedure is an outpatient procedure that just takes a few hours. Patients who have battled tremors for years, trying numerous medications, have found profound relief through this procedure.

Built-in Support Services

When your surgery is complete, we offer support services including physical therapy and rehabilitation to ensure your complete recovery. IU Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, aiming to support you in optimizing your treatment and recovery journey.

Craniotomy

An operation that temporarily removes part of the skull to access tissue underneath. It's used to treat tumors, infections, aneurysms, vascular malformations, epilepsy, seizure disorders, strokes or other brain related injuries.

Related Services and Conditions for Neurosurgery

Craniotomy

An operation that temporarily removes part of the skull to access tissue underneath. It's used to treat tumors, infections, aneurysms, vascular malformations, epilepsy, seizure disorders, strokes or other brain related injuries.

Nov 03

Patient shoots pool with a steady hand after cutting edge operation

For more than a decade Joel Downing's hand tremors got progressively worse to the point where he couldn't play in his billiards league because of the shaking.

Patient shoots pool with a steady hand after cutting edge operation image.

Patient Stories for Neurosurgery

Nov 03

Patient shoots pool with a steady hand after cutting edge operation

For more than a decade Joel Downing's hand tremors got progressively worse to the point where he couldn't play in his billiards league because of the shaking.

Patient shoots pool with a steady hand after cutting edge operation image.