Best Brain tumor removal pediatric neurosurgeons in Istanbul: TOP 36 doctors

Dr. Nejat Akalan is a leading neurosurgeon specializing in brain and nerve surgeries, with over 35 years of experience. His areas of expertise include epilepsy, glioma, skull injuries, movement disorders, spine tumors, herniations, and other nervous disorders. He uses advanced techniques in his surgeries and has published 117 scientific papers and a book.

Dr. Serdar Kahraman is a highly experienced neurosurgeon with 30 years of practice and is head of the Neurosurgery Department at Anadolu Medical Center. He specializes in brain and nerve surgery, spinal surgery, neuroendoscopy and spinal endoscopic surgery. He has an impressive list of certificates and is a member of several prestigious organizations.

Mustafa Solak, M.D. is a medical doctor who graduated from Hacettepe University School of Medicine and has completed residencies at Istanbul Sisli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital and a fellowship at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute. He specializes in Breast Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Lung Cancer, Head-Neck Cancer, and Gastrointestinal Cancers. He has also worked at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hitit University Corum Training Hospital, and Medical Park Hospital.

Education and Expertise

1998 - 2005 - Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

1998 - 2005 - Marmara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul

(Head of the Department: Prof Dr Türker KILIÇ)

2011 - 2012 - Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA (Director: Murat Günel MD. PhD., Professor of Neurosurgery)Cerebrovascular Research Fellowship

Professional Memberships

2014 + Turkish Neurosurgery Association

2017 + Turkish Spine Association

2018 + AOSpine

Awards

Turkish Neurosurgery Society 31st Scientific Congress “Prof. Dr. Hamit Ziya Gökalp Young Neurosurgeon Encouragement First Prize”, Antalya, 2017.

Courses and Certificates

1. Member of the Organizing Committee; 12. National Neuroscience Congress, Bahçeşehir University, 28-31 May 2014

2. Member of the Organizing Committee; 11. ASNO 'Skull-base Anatomy Course', 11-14 September 2014, Istanbul

3. Instructor / Member of the Organizing Committee; Neurosurgery Course Series – 4 /Prof. Dr. Evandro de Oliveira Skull Base Course 2, Prof. Rhoton Anatomy Lab BAU Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, 2015.

4. Member of the Organizing Committee; International Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Microelectrode Recording Cadaver Course, Rhoton Anatomy Lab BAU Faculty of Medicine, 6-7 February 2015 Istanbul.

5. Organization Officer; TND Istanbul Meetings, Istanbul, 2015-2016

Medical Area of Interest and Activities 

Functional Neurosurgery (Parkinson’s, Deep Brain Stimulation) 

Brain and Spinal tumors 

Spinal degenerative diseases Education 

Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine 

Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Brain and Nerve Surgery

Experience 

Ankara Gülhane Military Medical Academy Brain and Nerve Surgery 

Osmaniye State Hospital 

Bolu State Hospital 

Private Taksim German Hospital 

Taksim Training and Research Hospital 

Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine Brain and Nerve Surgery 

Liv Hospital Ulus

Memberships 

Turkish Neurosurgery Society 

Turkish Medical Association

Neurosurgery Training: Gazi University, Department of Neurosurgery, 2011 

H index: 10, I10 Index: 12 Citations: 296

 Dr Mehmet Tonge has international and nationwide 32 publications, 12 book chapters, 92 oral and poster presentations and 41 invited lectures, mostly on Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. 

Work & Training experience:

2004-2011: Gazi University, Department of Neurosurgery (Residency)

 2008: Zurich University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery (Intraoperative MRI applications), Switzerland 

2008: Zurich University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery: Microneurosurgery, white matter dissection, interventional neuroradiology courses, Switzerland 

2011 – 2012: Sinop Ataturk State Hospital, Neurosurgeon

 2012 – 2013: Cankiri State Hospital, Neurosurgeon 

2013 – 2014: Istanbul Medipol University, Department of Neurosurgery & Gamma Knife Center (Ass Prof) 

2013 – now: Maastricht University Neurosurgery & Neuroscience Department (Visiting scientist, PhDc) The Netherlands 

2014: Maastricht University, The Netherlands: Deep Brain Stimulation Fellowship 2014-2018: Istanbul Memorial Hospital Neurosurgery: Staff Neurosurgeon

 2016-2018: Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital (Consultant, Gamma Knife Center) 

2018-now: Istanbul Medipol University (Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery, Gamma Knife Center) Ass. Prof.) 

Dr Mehmet Tonge has completed 4-year cycle EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) Training courses. 

Clinical areas of interest:

 • Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery

 • Surgery for movement disorders

• * MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

 • Gamma Knife Radiosurgery 

• Surgery for pain & spasticity 

• Psychosurgery

Research areas of interest: 

• Deep brain stimulation

• * MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

 • Stereotactic radiosurgery 

Administrative duties:

 • Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Sterotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Section: Board member 2015- 2017 

• Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Sterotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Section: Board member (Secretary) 2017-2019

 • Turkish Skull Base Society: Board member 2016-2018

 • Turkish Skull Base Society: Supervisory board member 2018-2020

 • Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders Surgery Society: Executive Board Member, (Accountant) 2023-still 

Memberships: 

• WSSFN (World Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Society) 

• ESSFN (European Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Society)

 • Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders Surgery Society

 • Deep Brain Stimulation Society 

• International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society 

• Leksell Gamma Knife Society 

• EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) 

• Turkish Neurosurgical Society

• Turkish Skull Base Society

Sample Publications: 

1. Tonge M. Technological developments in electric based DBS. Deep Brain Stimulation 2024 4(36-41) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdbs.2023.12.001 

2. Akgul E, Onan HB, Islek I, Tonge M, Durmus Y, Barburoglu M, Azizova A, Erol C, Hakyemez B, Sencer S, Aydin K, Arat A. Flow diverter stents in the treatment of recanalized intracranial aneurysms. Interv Neuroradiol. 2021 Aug;27(4):481-489. doi: 10.1177/1591019921990507. Epub 2021 Jan 28. PMID: 33509011; PMCID: PMC8580529. 

3. Mulders AEP, Temel Y, Tonge M, Schaper FLWVJ, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V,Ackermans L, Kubben P, Janssen MLF, Duits A. The association between surgical characteristics and cognitive decline following deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 Jan;200:106341. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106341. Epub 2020 Nov 3. PMID: 33160716. 

4. Wetzelaer P, Vlis T, Tonge M, Ackermans L, Kubben P, Evers S, Kocabicak E, Temel Y. Management of Hardware Related Infections after DBS Surgery: A Cost Analysis. Turk Neurosurg. 2018;28(6):929- 933. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.21511-17.1. PMID: 29465741. 

5. Bedirli N, Emmez G, Ünal Y, Tönge M, Emmez H. Effects of positive end- expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure during pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position in a porcine mode. Turk J Med Sci. 2017 Nov 13;47(5):1610-1615. doi: 10.3906/sag-1609-17. PMID: 29152942. 

6. Sari R, Tonge M, Bolukbasi FH, Onoz M, Baskan O, Silav G, Elmaci I. Management of Failed Cranioplasty. Turk Neurosurg. 2017;27(2):201-207. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.15395-15.0. PMID: 27593759. 

7. Tonge M, Kocabicak E, Ackermans L, Kuijf M, Temel Y. Final Electrode Position in Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Comparison of Indirect and Direct Targeting Methods. Turk Neurosurg. 2016;26(6):900-903. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.13739-14.1. PMID: 27337232. 

8. Tonge M, Ackermans L, Kocabicak E, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V, Kuijf M, Oosterloo M, Kubben P, Temel Y. A detailed analysis of intracerebral hemorrhages in DBS surgeries. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2015 Dec;139:183-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.10.017. Epub 2015 Oct 23. PMID: 26513430. 

9. Silav G, Bölükbaşı FH, Özek E, Tönge M, Önöz M, Elmacı İ. A Simple Technique for Bone Storage after Decompressive Craniectomy in Children. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2015;50(3):161-4. doi: 10.1159/000381748. Epub 2015 May 14. PMID: 25998533. 

10. Yilmaz MB, Donmez H, Tonge M, Senol S, Tekiner A. Vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm formation due to penetrating vertebral artery injury: case report and review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2015;25(1):141-5. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.8247-13.1. PMID: 25640560. 

11. Kurt G, Tönge M, Çeltıkçı E, Çapraz I, Serdaroğlu A, Bılır E. Surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy: experience of a single institution. Turk J Med Sci. 2014;44(5):866-70. doi: 10.3906/sag-1307- 30. PMID: 25539559. 

12. Yılmaz MB, Tönge M, Emmez H, Kaymaz F, Kaymaz M. Neuroprotective effects of quetiapine on neuronal apoptosis following experimental transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2013 Jul;54(1):1-7. doi: 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.1.1. Epub 2013 Jul 31. PMID: 24044072; PMCID: PMC3772279. 

13. Yilmaz MB, Egemen E, Tonge M, Kaymaz M. Transoral protrusion of a peritoneal catheter due to gastric perforation 10 years after a ventriculoperitoneal shunting: case report and review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2013;23(2):285-8. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.4904-11.1. PMID: 23546921. 

14. Omerhodzic I, Tonge M, Matos B, Musabeliu E, Raspanti C, Ferdinandov D, Galimova R, Muroi C, Balik V, Kursumovic A. Neurosurgical training programme in selected European countries: from the young neurosurgeons' point of view. Turk Neurosurg. 2012;22(3):286-93. doi: 10.5137/1019- 5149.JTN.5133-11.0. PMID: 22664994. 

15. Ergun E, Kurt G, Tonge M, Aytar H, Tas M, Baykaner K, Ceviker N. Effects of phenytoin sodium on dura mater healing in a rat model of CSF leakage. Turk Neurosurg. 2011;21(4):471-6. PMID: 22194102. 

16. Emmez H, Tonge M, Tokgoz N, Durdag E, Gonul I, Cevıker N. Radiological and histopathological comparison of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres and oxidized regenerated cellulose in the rabbit brain: a study of efficacy and safety. Turk Neurosurg. 2010 Oct;20(4):485-91. doi: 10.5137/1019- 5149.JTN.3300-10.2. PMID: 20963698. 

17. Emmez H, Yildirim Z, Kale A, Tönge M, Durdağ E, Börcek AO, Uçankuş LN, Doğulu F, Kiliç N, Baykaner MK. Anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of α-lipoic acid on spinal cord ischemiareperfusion injury in rabbits. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2010 Sep;152(9):1591-600; discussion 1600-1. doi: 10.1007/s00701-010-0703-9. Epub 2010 Jun 10. PMID: 20535507. 

18. Kurt G, Tonge M, Börcek AO, Karahacioglu E, Gurel O, Baykaner K, Ceviker N, Aykol S. Fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery for optic nerve tumors: a technical report. Turk Neurosurg. 2010 Apr;20(2):241-6. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.1681-09.3. PMID: 20401852. 

19. Emmez H, Kale A, Tönge M, Cakir A, Ceviker N. Two meningiomas with different histological grades in the same patient. Case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2010;50(8):686-8. doi: 10.2176/nmc.50.686. PMID: 20805656.

• AREAS OF INTEREST
• brain pacemaker
• spinal cord pacemaker
• brain tumors
• spinal cord tumors
• Trigeminal Neuralgias
• Surgical Treatment of Cervical Disc Herniation
• Non-Surgical Treatment of Cervical Disc Herniation
• Pediatric Neck Surgery

• Education:
• Secondary Education: Anatolian High School, Gaziantep (1993-1997)
• High School: Vehbi Dinçerler Science High School, Gaziantep (1997-2000)
• Medical Degree: Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University (2000-2007)
• Specialization in Medicine: Şişli Etfal Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic, Istanbul (2008-2013)
•  
• Professional Experience:
• 2007-2008: Responsible Physician, Sekili Health Center, Gaziantep
• 2008-2013: Specialist, Şişli Etfal Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic, Istanbul
• 2013-2015: Specialist, Malatya State Hospital, Malatya
• 2015-2016: Assistant Professor, Harran University, Şanlıurfa
• 2016-2020: Specialist, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Human Resources Hospital, Department of Brain and Neurosurgery
• 2020-Present: Associate Professor, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Human Resources Hospital, Department of Brain and Neurosurgery

• Special Certified Educations:
• Neuromodulation Fellowship Program:
• Module I: Foundations of Neuromodulation, Abbott Training Center, Zaventem, Belgium (September 27-29, 2018)
• Module II: Treatment Strategies for Low Back Pain, St. Augustinus Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium (December 13-15, 2018)
• Module III: Treatment Strategies for Focal Neuropathic Pain, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands (February 7-9, 2019)
• Module IV: Basic Aspects of DBS, University Clinic, Düsseldorf, Germany (April 4-6, 2019)
• Module V: Advanced Concepts and Transition to Practice, Barcelona, Spain (May 15-17, 2019)
• Fellow Program: Maastricht UMC+ Hospital, Deep Brain Stimulation, Maastricht, Netherlands (January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020)
• Skull Base Surgery Cadaver Course: Istanbul, 2013
• Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Techniques: Hands-on Cadaver Course, Antalya, 2014
• Ditrax (Posterior Cervical Facet Joint Decompression): Cadaver Course, Düsseldorf, 2015

Compassionate Care: Known for his patient-first approach, Dr. Kılıç ensures that each patient receives personalized, compassionate, and effective treatment.

Education and Career

2011 – 2015, (Internal Medicine Specialist) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Education and Career

Medicine Department of Internal Medicine

2015 – 2016, (Internal Medicine) Specialist Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2016 – 2019, (Medical Oncology) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

2019 – 2021, (Medical Oncology Specialist) - Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2021 – 2024, (Associate Professor) Marmara University School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

Memberships in Scientific Organizations

ASCO

ESMO

TTOD 

AVOD 

Publications

In the field of oncology, he has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles at both international and national levels.

Awards Received

EAACI The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2019 Best Poster Award

"The top 3rd verbal presentation, IGICC (11th International Gastrointestinal Cancers Conference – IGICC2021)"

Speeches Delivered at National Congresses, Conferences, and Symposia:

Courses, Meetings, and Certificates

ESMO certified Medical Oncologist since 2019

Education and Specialization:

• Medical Degree: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (1981)
• Specialization in Neurosurgery: Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department

Professional Experience:

• 1994-1998: Associate Professor and Head of the Neurosurgery Department, Kocaeli University
• 1998-Present: Professor and Head of the Neurosurgery Department, Kocaeli University
• Current Position: Neurosurgeon at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital

International Experience:

• 1993: Observer at The Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology, Birmingham, UK
• Trained in syringomyelia and stereotactic neurosurgery under Bernard Williams, M.D., and Edward R. Hitchcock, M.D.

Clinical Experience:

• Performed over 5629 endoscopic surgeries including:
  • 4384 Pituitary Adenomas
  • 209 Rathke's Cleft Cysts
  • 152 Craniopharyngiomas
  • 121 Chordomas/Chondrosarcomas
  • 98 Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas and other pathologies in the sellar region

Research and Publications: Prof. Dr. Savaş Ceylan has numerous publications in internationally recognized journals, covering a wide range of neurosurgical topics. His research includes pioneering work in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors and other sellar region pathologies.

Professional Memberships:

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
• Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica
• International Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (IFNE)
• World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Skull Base Committee
• Turkish Neurosurgery Association
• Turkish Society of Nervous System Surgery

Awards:

• 2016 Turkish Neurosurgery Association Service Award
• Scientific Publication Awards from Kocaeli University

Dr Gökalp Silav is a highly-regarded pediatric and adult neurosurgeon with over 400 brain and spine surgeries performed annually. He specializes in brain and spine tumor removals, epilepsy surgery, and congenital conditions correction. He uses state-of-the-art neuronavigation equipment such as Brainlab to ensure precision and reduces damage to healthy tissues. He is a member of The Turkish Medical Association and The Turkish Neurosurgical Society and has trained at some of the largest neurology institutions in the world.

He was born in 1974 in Osmanbey, Istanbul. He graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 1997, which he started in 1991. In the same year, he started his specialization in Marmara University Neurosurgery Department. He graduated in 2002 with the title of Neurosurgery Specialist. After getting his specialization, he did his military service as a Neurosurgeon Specialist at Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpaşa Hospital. During this period, he also had a microsurgery education at GATA Ankara Microsurgery Laboratories with an official assignment. Subsequently, Kartal Dr. He completed his compulsory service at Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital.

He worked at Avicenna Ataşehir Hospital for seven years. Meanwhile, he also served as a member of the board of directors of the Nervous System Association. He went to the 29 Mayıs Hospital of the Turkish Religious Foundation. Later, he returned to the state for a period, first at Maltepe State Hospital, then with its new name Kartal Dr. He worked at Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital.

In 2020, he left the state again and started to work as a Neurosurgeon Specialist and Deputy Chief Physician at Academic Hospital.

After receiving the title of Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in 2021, he left his administrative duty to focus on academic studies. Currently, he is a faculty member at Galata University Faculty of Health Sciences and a member of the Beykent University Faculty of Medicine Advisory Board.

Although he provides professional service in all areas of Neurosurgery, the areas he prefers to work with are spine surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, peripheral neurosurgery, and tumor surgery.

He has been accepting patients at Hisar Intercontinental Hospital since October 2022.