Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery at Summit Health connects you with skilled neurosurgeons and advanced practice providers who bring deep expertise to every part of the nervous system.
Overview
Neurosurgery at Summit Health connects you with skilled neurosurgeons, physician assistants (PAs), and advanced practice nurses who bring deep expertise to every part of the nervous system. Our team offers compassionate, patient-centered care backed by advanced neurological surgery techniques.
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and disorders of the nervous system. Our neurosurgeons are far more than brain surgeons. They evaluate and treat conditions affecting the brain, spine, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, guiding you through every step with clarity and reassurance.
We believe great care doesn't happen in isolation. Our neurosurgeons work closely with the Summit Health Neurology department and partner with specialists across orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, oncology, and ophthalmology. This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach means you receive comprehensive care built around your unique needs.
Whether you're managing a new diagnosis or seeking relief from a long-standing condition, our team is here to help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.
Conditions and procedures
Our neurosurgeons perform a wide range of procedures and treat many complex conditions using proven surgical methods and the latest technology.
Types of surgery we perform
- General neurosurgery—comprehensive surgical care for a broad range of neurological conditions.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery—a precise, minimally invasive approach that targets abnormalities without traditional incisions.
- Spine surgery—treatment for degenerative, traumatic, and acquired spinal conditions.
Conditions we treat
Our neurosurgeons care for patients living with a variety of neurological concerns, including:
- Brain tumors
- Spinal tumors
- Pituitary tumors
- Spinal stenosis
- Hydrocephalus
- Intracranial or spinal cord neoplasms
- Subdural hematomas
- Intracranial hemorrhages
- Nerve compression from injury or herniated discs
If you're experiencing symptoms tied to any of these conditions, our team can help you find answers and the right path to relief.
Functional neurosurgery: a novel treatment approach
Some patients come to Summit Health living with chronic, debilitating pain or a significant loss of function. Functional neurosurgery is a growing field that uses advanced technology and devices to restore function and reduce pain for people with movement-related disorders, back pain, or spinal injuries.
These therapies often use targeted electrical stimulation to interrupt pain signals traveling to the brain, or to stimulate the brain directly. We offer the following functional neurosurgical treatments:
- Spinal cord stimulation—An implant placed in the spine interrupts pain signals. This treatment helps patients with chronic pain from failed back surgery, lower back pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, and painful neuropathy.
- Deep brain stimulation—As movement disorders like Parkinson's disease and essential tremors advance, many patients struggle to control symptoms with medication alone. Electrodes are precisely implanted into specific areas of the brain to help regulate abnormal impulses and ease symptoms.
Our specialists
Matthew A. Amarante, MD, FAANS
Arthur Carminucci, MD, FAANS
Locations
Neurosurgery at Summit Health
When the brain or spinal cord becomes damaged or diseased, it can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life and, in extreme cases, lead to impairment or even permanent disability.
Frequently Asked Questions
A neurosurgeon diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spine, spinal cord, and nerves. While many people think of neurosurgeons as brain surgeons, they treat a wide range of conditions, and not every case requires surgery. Some are managed with nonsurgical care or minimally invasive procedures.
You may be referred to a neurosurgeon if you have a diagnosed condition such as a brain or spinal tumor, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, or nerve compression from a herniated disc. Persistent symptoms like chronic back or neck pain, numbness, weakness, or movement difficulties may also lead your primary care provider or neurologist to recommend a consultation.
Brain surgery treats conditions involving the brain, such as tumors or hemorrhages, while spine surgery addresses degenerative, traumatic, and acquired conditions of the spine and spinal cord. Our neurosurgeons are trained in both areas and will recommend the approach best suited to your condition.
Functional neurosurgery uses advanced technology, such as spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation, to restore function and reduce pain. It's often an option for patients living with chronic pain or movement-related disorders that haven't improved with other treatments.
Not always. Our neurosurgeons carefully evaluate your condition and explore every appropriate option before recommending surgery. When surgery is the best path forward, we'll walk you through what to expect so you feel informed and supported.
During your first visit, your neurosurgeon will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and may order imaging or other tests. Together, you'll talk through your diagnosis and treatment options. We encourage you to bring any questions so you leave feeling confident about your next steps.
Yes. Our neurosurgeons partner with the Summit Health Neurology department and specialists in orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, oncology, and ophthalmology. This teamwork helps ensure you receive complete, coordinated care.