Best neurosurgeons in Italy: TOP 9 doctors

Professor Pietro Mortini MD is a highly experienced Italian neurosurgeon who specializes in neuro- and radiosurgeries with a focus on minimally invasive spine and brain operations. He is a Visiting Professor at the George Washington University, has a degree in Otorhinolaryngology and Neurosurgery from the University of Milan and University of Verona, and has patented a method of manufacturing a device for regenerating biological tissues. He also provides research in microsurgical therapy of pituitary adenomas and radiosurgery for uveal melanoma and is a member of the Italian Society of the Cranial Base.

Spine Neurosurgeon

Dr. Federico Pessina is the Cranial Neurosurgey Unit Director.

Medical areas of interest: Brain tumors, glioblastomas, low grade gliomas, brain metastases, meningiomas, neuromas, cavernous angiomas, brain aneurysms

Surgical treatment with brain mapping techniques, awake and minimally invasive surgery of all central nervous system tumors.

Surgical treatment of highly complex tumors of the skull base and cranio-cervical hinge: meningiomas, neuromas, craniopharyngiomas, brain stem tumors.

All the tumor pathologies described above are addressed after multidisciplinary multi-specialist evaluation.

The surgical approach is customized to the patient and to the type of lesion, making use of the most advanced intraoperative techniques for malignant brain tumors (neuronavigation, intraoperative neurophysiology, intraoperative CT) and more complex approaches (anterior, posterior and combined petroosectomies, minimally invasive accesses) for benign diseases of the skull base such as meningiomas and neuromas.

Research areas of interest: Experimental protocols in the treatment of glioblastomas

- Prospective protocols in the treatment of brain metastases

- Role of surgical removal and integrated treatments in glioblastomas and malignant brain tumors

- Intracranial meningiomas

- Cadaver lab dissection

Author of more than 60 scientific publications and 5 book chapters, he is member of Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINCH).

In 2018 he joined the Scientific Committee of European Society of Neuroncology (EANO) and the Skull Base Surgery Committee of World Federation of Neurosurgical Society (WFNS).

Specialized training: 

Prof. Pessina obtained his Degree in Medicine and Surgery in University of  Insubria,  Varese, where he also completed his Residency Program.

From 2007 to 2008 he covered the role of Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery in Lausanne University Hospital, focusing on image-guided intrinsic brain tumors resection and vascular neurosurgery

In 2018 he covered the Skull Base fellow position in Lariboisiere Hospital, Paris, fully dedicating to skull base surgery and hands-on dissection practice and teaching.

Since 2022, he is Full Professor in Neurosurgery (MED/27) in Humanitas University

Additional information of interest:

Member of the Scientific Committee of the European Association of Neuroncology (EANO)

Publications:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Pessina+Federico

Dr. Maurizio Fornari is the Head of the Neurosurgery Unit in Humanitas Research Hospital.

After his specialization in neurosurgery in 1979 at the University of Milan, Dr. Fornari has followed courses in neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York (USA) and advanced courses in Spinal Surgery and skull base at the Center St. Louis (USA) and the Center of Albuquerque (USA).

Dr. Fornari specializes in the treatment of all major diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, from the compression of the spinal nerves (lumbar and cervical disc hernias, stenosis of the cervical canal, instability of the spine, spinal cord tumors), primary and secondary brain tumors, to congenital malformations of the central nervous system. Dr. Fornari is a recognized leader in the development of computer assisted spine surgery.

Dr. Fornari is a recognized leader in the development of minimally invasive surgery, who among the first has adopted bloodless methods such as micro decompression with unilateral approach for the treatment of lumbar stenosis instead of the much more invasive laminectomy.

Another dreaded disease, sometimes associated with stenosis or lumbar spondylolisthesis, which Dr. Fornari is approaching for quite a long time with the help of spinal navigation systems and intraoperative CT scan, which helps the work of the surgeon during the intervention, reducing invasiveness and risks for the patient, represent lumbar instability.

He and his team perform more than 1.300 surgeries a year, and he has one of the most important case studies in the world (data from a few years ago published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: 
http://thejns.org/action/doSearch?displaySummary=false&AllField=maurizio+fornari.) 

Since 2012, he teaches at the University of Milan. He is also Assistant Editor of "Advanced Technology in Neurosurgery" published by Sprinter Verlag Berlin Heldelberg (1988).

Publications: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=fornari%m

Dr. [Name] is the Director of Mater Olbia Hospital Neurosurgery Unit and an Assistant Professor of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome. He has a Degree in Medicine and Surgery and a Certificate of Specialist in Neurosurgery. He specializes in the treatment of neuro-oncological, vascular and spinal pathologies and has performed over 4000 surgical procedures, of which over 2000 as first operator. He is experienced in minimally invasive surgical techniques and the use of modern technology such as intraoperative CT scans and ultrasounds.

Dr. Borghesi leads the Neurosurgery Unit at Maria Cecilia Hospital, where his team performs around 1,000 advanced neurosurgical procedures annually. His approach combines years of experience with the latest technological innovations to ensure patients receive the most effective treatments available. Specializing in spinal surgeries (including cervical, dorsal, and lumbar procedures), Dr. Borghesi utilizes both posterior and anterior techniques to help patients regain mobility and relieve pain. Throughout his career, he has successfully performed over 4,500 complex surgeries, offering life-changing solutions for patients with challenging cranial and spinal conditions.

For brain tumor removal, he and his team employ advanced video-micro-surgical techniques, including the use of a digital microscope with 4K 3D imaging, which allows for enhanced precision and minimal invasiveness. Patients suffering from conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, facial spasms, and tumors of the posterior cranial fossa can benefit from Dr. Borghesi’s expertise in minimally invasive surgery, having treated over 400 cases with innovative techniques.

• Spinal Surgery: Expert in performing complex spinal surgeries (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) using the latest methods to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal degeneration, and more.
• Brain Tumor Removal: Specializes in minimally invasive brain surgery for the removal of extensive tumors using cutting-edge 3D orbital camera technology.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia: Successfully treated over 400 cases of trigeminal neuralgia and other cranial nerve disorders with minimally invasive techniques, providing relief for patients with less recovery time.
• Colloid Cyst Removal: The doctor specializes in complex surgeries to remove this benign but very rare tumor.

Dr. Borghesi has trained in various top-tier international hospitals, learning from the best to provide high-quality care to his patients:

• Spinal Unit at Schulthess Klinik in Zurich
• École de Chirurgie in Paris, specializing in skull base and spinal surgeries
• Brain Institute at the University of Florida, specializing in microsurgical brain procedures
• Microsurgical Laboratory at the University of Arkansas, with a focus on lumbar degenerative disorders

He is the author of numerous scientific publications in national and international journals and volumes. In 1997 he was consultant of the "Medical Review" Journal.

Dr. Motti works at the Neurosurgery Department at Maria Cecilia Hospital, as the coordinator of the Gamma Knife Operating Unit, and neurosurgeon in charge of the Stereotaxic Neurosurgery Unit, one of the few centers in Italy, which specializes in the Gamma Knife treatments.  

He is an active member of several research companies focused on Gamma Knife: Italian Society of Neurosurgery, Rome; Gamma Knife Society, Stockholm; European Gamma Knife Society, Madrid. In 1982 he obtained the patent for interfacing the Talairach stereotaxic helmet with computerized axial tomography methods. In 1987 he made the first brain implantation of dopaminergic cells in Parkinson's disease in Italy. He is responsible for training courses at national and international levels, such as courses in Stereotaxic Techniques, Functional Neurosurgery, Radiosurgery at the School of Specialization in Neurosurgery, by the University of Milan; He was an Invited speaker at the "Compliance in radiosurgery" course at the GKSociety meeting in Seoul, South Korea; Organizer of the First European Meeting of Gamma Knife Users, in 1996 in Milan and its subsequent editions.

He is often invited as an instructor in the first weeks of the opening of the new Gamma Knife centers, such as from the Hospital of the University of California Davis, Sacramento, California; or the Arsenji Hospital in Bucharest, Romania etc.

Author and co-author of about 100 publications and contributors to national and international journals. In the seventies he contributed as Assistant Editor to the editorial board of the Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences. For twenty years he was a Consultant in medical libraries as an expert in research techniques and bibliographic archives.

Dr. Lechanoine is a highly accomplished neurosurgeon with extensive international experience, currently serving as a senior consultant at Maria Cecilia Hospital in Italy. With over 2,500 surgeries performed, including 1,600 as the lead surgeon, Dr. Lechanoine has built a distinguished career specializing in complex brain and spine surgeries. His areas of expertise include brainstem conditions, intraventricular neuroendoscopy for hydrocephalus and tumors, transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, and minimally invasive spine procedures such as UBE (Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy).

His medical journey has taken him across Europe and beyond, with positions at prestigious institutions such as CHU de Grenoble Alpes and CHRU de Tours in France, and Ospedale Santobono in Naples, Italy. In addition, his dedication to pediatric neurosurgery has led to international collaborations, including at the General Peltier Hospital in Djibouti and the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence.

Dr. Lechanoine’s education is equally impressive. He graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Caen, France, in 2012 and specialized in neurosurgery at the University of Tours under the guidance of renowned professors Stéphane Velut and Patrick François. His specialization focused on innovative endoscopic treatments for intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. Throughout his career, Dr. Lechanoine has pursued numerous advanced training courses, earning prestigious certifications, including the Diploma of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the European Diploma of Spine Surgery (Eurospine).

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lechanoine has contributed significantly to the field of neurosurgery through research and education. He has authored numerous scientific publications in leading international journals, with a total impact factor of 71.46. He is also a dedicated educator, serving as a tutor at international workshops on brain and spine endoscopy, and he recently founded a UBE surgical training center at Maria Cecilia Hospital.