[Profile Feature] Dr. Emad Eskandar: A World Leader in Epilepsy Surgery
Dr. Emad N. Eskandar is a world-renowned neurosurgeon, currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Director of the Center for Epilepsy and Facial Pain at Montefiore Medical Center. With over 15 years of clinical experience in neurosurgery, he specializes in diagnosing and treating epilepsy, brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, Parkinson's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dystonia, and essential tremor. Not only has he achieved remarkable success in clinical practice, but he has also made significant contributions to research.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Dr. Eskandar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska, a medical degree from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and was a neurophysiology research fellow at Harvard Medical School. Previously, he was the Charles Anthony Pappas Chair of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and served as the Director of Functional Neurosurgery, Director of the Neurosurgery Residency Program, Director of Movement Disorder Surgery, and Director of Epilepsy Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Specialized Techniques
Dr. Eskandar is highly skilled in a wide range of neurosurgical procedures, particularly in the surgical treatment of epilepsy and facial pain. He utilizes the latest techniques and methods to offer cutting-edge medical services to his patients:
Epilepsy Surgery: As a global leader in epilepsy surgery, Dr. Eskandar uses minimally invasive surgeries, stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), foramen ovale electrodes, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive neurostimulation (RNS or NeuroPace), and laser ablation for epilepsy treatment in both pediatric and adult patients.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment: Trigeminal neuralgia is an extremely painful facial condition, and Dr. Eskandar has extensive experience in treating it. He uses microvascular decompression, percutaneous rhizotomy, and radiosurgery to provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for these patients.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): Dr. Eskandar is an expert in using DBS to treat Parkinson's disease, dystonia, essential tremor, and severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. He utilizes all current techniques, including awake surgery with microelectrode recording, frameless surgery, and procedures under anesthesia using real-time imaging.
Brain Tumor Surgery: Dr. Eskandar treats a wide range of brain tumors, including meningiomas, gliomas, low-grade tumors, and metastatic brain tumors. He specializes in using advanced brain imaging and mapping techniques to maximize tumor resection while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
Research Contributions
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Eskandar leads an active basic research laboratory investigating the role of the basal ganglia in learning, motivation, depression, and addiction. His research team uses microelectrode and electrochemical recording techniques to study the function of the basal ganglia in both primates and humans during the execution of complex behavioral tasks. Furthermore, they use electrical stimulation to directly modulate neuronal activity, a unique method that allows ideas from the lab to be quickly translated into clinical practice. His team is also developing the next generation of safe brain stimulators, incorporating more intelligent technology interfaces with the latest miniaturization and battery technology.
Dr. Eskandar is also an expert in brain mapping and has published numerous pioneering papers on this technology.
Certifications and Honors
Dr. Eskandar is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Academy of Neurological Surgery. He currently serves as the president of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.
Conclusion
Dr. Emad Eskandar is a leading figure in the field of neurosurgery, making groundbreaking advances in the treatment of epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and Parkinson's disease, bringing hope to countless patients. His leadership and research at Montefiore Medical Center will continue to make significant contributions to the development of neurosurgery.