Brain and Nerve Surgery
Professor Erol Akgül is an Interventional Neuroradiologist and a member of the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, European Association of Radiology, Turkish Society of Radiology, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Turkish Society of Neuroradiology, and Turkish Medical Association.
Dr. Ibrahim Ziyal is a neurosurgeon at Memorial Göztepe Hospital in Istanbul (2025–present). He was Professor and Head of Neurosurgery at Marmara University (2012–2025). Earlier, he held faculty roles at Hacettepe University (2001–2012). He was the Founding Head of Neurosurgery at Abant İzzet Baysal University, Düzce (1999–2001). He also worked as a clinical researcher in brain tumors at George Washington University (1996–1998). He then focused on cerebrovascular diseases at the São Paulo Institute of Neurological Sciences (1998–1999).
Expertise: skull base tumors, pituitary surgery, and aneurysm/AVM/cavernoma surgery. Neurosurgery training: Şişli Etfal Hospital. MD: Trakya University. Memberships: Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Neuro-Oncology Association, AANS, CNS, WFNS, EANS.
Dr. Ali Osman Mucuoglu is a neurosurgeon. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Dokuz Eylül University from 2013 to 2019 after graduating from Eskişehir Osmangazi University in 2012 (2005–2012). He worked at Dokuz Eylül University and Muş State Hospital from 2019 to 2021. He has practiced at Atlas University Hospital since 2021.
He has five publications. These include a case report in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports that has been cited seven times. He also reported on 3D printer‑assisted transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and on emergency minimally invasive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) surgery. He delivered an oral presentation at the 33rd Turkish Neurosurgical Society Congress in 2019.
He is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society, the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, and the Istanbul Chamber of Medicine. His advanced training includes spinal surgery courses in 2016 and 2017, the European Training Course on Head Injury and Functional Neurosurgery in 2017, and Surgical Neuroanatomy in 2017. He also holds an animal experimentation certificate from 2016.
Dr. Mustafa Aydın is an Internal Medicine specialist. He graduated from Gazi University Faculty of Medicine in 2009. He provides evidence-based care for adults, including diagnosis and treatment. He communicates in English.
His clinical focus includes chronic disease management, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and thyroid disorders. He treats gastrointestinal problems, including reflux, gastritis, ulcers, and liver diseases, and respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. He manages infectious diseases. He provides preventive care with routine screenings, risk assessments, and personalized health plans.
Dr. Mehmet Tonge is a neurosurgeon with expertise in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. He specializes in MR Guided Focused Ultrasound, deep brain stimulation, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and surgery for movement disorders, pain, and spasticity.
Dr. Tonge has published 32 articles in international and national journals and written 12 book chapters. He has presented 92 oral and poster presentations and delivered 41 invited lectures. He completed a Deep Brain Stimulation Fellowship at Maastricht University and finished the 4-year EANS training cycle. Dr. Tonge is known for his research and clinical work in functional neurosurgery.
Specializations
Brain Tumors
Aneurysm Surgery
Pituitary Surgery
Spine Surgery
Waist neck and back hernias
Spine Tumors
Spinal Fractures
Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Specializations
Micro Surgical Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniation Treatment
Scoliosis Surgery and Treatment
Brain and Spine Tumors
Spine Fracture Treatment
Spinal Canal Narrowing Surgery
Lumbar Slipping Surgery and Treatment
1988: Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Medical Education, Istanbul
1996: Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic, Neurosurgery Specialist Training, Istanbul
Experience
1989 to 1996: Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic, Assistant Doctor, Istanbul
1996 to 1999: Private Respect Hospital, Specialist Doctor and Chief Physician, Istanbul
2000 to 2002: Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, 1st Neurosurgery Clinic, Specialist Doctor, Istanbul
2002 to 2010: Ministry of Health Pendik State Hospital, Specialist Doctor, Istanbul
2008 to 2009: Participation in "Spinal Surgery Program" at Istanbul American Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic. Fellowship Days: 01.05.2008 - 31.12.2009
2010 to 2011: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Santa Monica Hospital Center for Spinal Surgery (Comprehensive Spine Center), Researcher (Fellow), California, USA
2011: Associate Professor
2014: Virginia University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain and Neurosurgery, Visiting Faculty Member, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
2012 to 2016: Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain and Neurosurgery, Istanbul
2016 to 2018: Vital Fulya Plaza, Fulya/Beşiktaş/Istanbul
Professional Memberships
-Turkish Neurosurgery Association
-Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Teaching and Training Group
-Turkish Spine Association
-AO Spine International
-Society for Minimal Intervention in Spinal Surgery
-Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Surgical Neurosurgery Group
-Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
GATA School of Military Medicine – Medical Degree
GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic – Specialization in Neurosurgery
Beykent University – Master’s Degree in Hospital and Health Institutions Management
GATA Military Medical Faculty – Internship in General Medicine
Samsun Field (Sahra) Medical School Command – Physician
Naval Command, Combat Fleet, TCG Effort – Medical Officer
Submarine Battery Factory Infirmary, Turkish Naval Forces – Physician
Shipyard Command Infirmary, Turkish Naval Forces – Physician
GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital – Chief Assistant, Neurosurgery Department
Kasımpaşa Marine Hospital – Chief of Neurosurgery Clinic
Bahçelievler Medical Park Hospital – Neurosurgery Specialist
Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine – Neurosurgery Lecturer
Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery – Faculty Member
-Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BLS & ACLS) Courses
-GATA Military Medicine Faculty – Microsurgery Training Course
-Istanbul Vatan Hospital – Hand Surgery & Microsurgery Course
-Neuroanatomy Course
-Spine Surgery Course
Professional Memberships
-Turkish Neurosurgery Association
-Spine Society of Europa
-Turkish Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group
Research & Publications
Transpedicular fixation application in thoracic and lumbar stabilization, results and complications.
Yayla O, Demircan MN, Kutlay M, Çolak A, Seçer HI, Kıbıcı K, Tosyalı L, Akın ON, Alkan K. GATA Bulletin.
Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on histopathological changes in acute period after crush trauma in rabbit sciatic nerve.
Akın ON, Kutlay M, Demirel D, Kıbıcı K, Elbüken E. J Atatürk Univ Med Fac.
Early diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of delayed traumatic intracerebral hematomas.
Kutlay M, Kıbıcı K, Demircan MN. Natl J Trauma.
Traumatic delayed epidural hematomas: Retrospective analysis of 7 new cases and 48 from literature.
Kutlay M, Çolak A, Kıbıcı K, Demircan MN, Akın ON. Natl J Trauma 1998.
Single vertebral body screw-rod or plate fixation for ventral thoracic spine lesions.
Kutlay M, Çolak A, Demircan MN, Akın ON, Kıbıcı K, Seçer HI, Tosyalı L. Turk Neurosurg 1999.
Peripheral nerve schwannomas.
Kutlay M, Çolak A, Akın ON, Demircan MN, Kıbıcı K, Topuz K, Başekim Ç, Demirel D. Turk J Neurosurg 1999.
Epidemiological study of traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Kutlay A, Kıbıcı K, Demircan MN. GATA Bulletin 1999.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment on fetal spinal cord grafts: Preliminary study.
Kutlay M, Çolak A, Demircan MN, Akın ON, Kıbıcı K, Dündar K, Yıldırım Ş. Turk Neurosurg, 1999.
Corpus callosum lipomas with frontal subcutaneous lipomas.
Çolak A, Kutlay M, Başekim Ç, Kıbıcı K, Demircan MN. Gülhane Med J, 2000.
Morphometric study with image analysis system in meningiomas.
Kıbıcı K, Kutlay M, Çolak A, Demircan MN, Akın ON, Baloğlu H. Turk J Neurosurg, 2003.
Morton Neuroma with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Case report.
Kıbıcı K, Demircan MN, Kıral A, Çolak A, Kutlay M, Akın ON. Turk J Neurosurg, 2006.
Carpal tunnel surgery with mini open technique: Functional results.
Kıbıcı K. Turk J Neurosurg, 2010.
Surgical treatment of common peroneal nerve entrapment: Clinical study.
Kıbıcı K. Turk J Neurosurg, 2010.
Cauda equina syndrome after sacrum transverse fracture: Case report.
Köksal V, Kıbıcı K. Turk J Neurosurg, 2010.
Schwannoma from sensory sural nerve: Case report.
Köksal V, Kıbıcı K. Erciyes Med J, 2013.
Clinical analysis of wrist drop due to radial tunnel syndrome.
Köksal V, Kıbıcı K, Kırbaş S. Indian J Med Res Pharm Sci, 2016.
Spinal subdural hematoma after minimally invasive lumbar discectomy.
Kıbıcı K, Atca AÖ, Erok B, Gültekin MZ. J Clin Rev Case Rep, 2019.
Rare variant of vertebral artery originating from external carotid artery.
Kıbıcı K, Atca AÖ, Erok B. J Clin Rev Case Rep, 2019.
Minimally invasive surgical treatment of piriformis syndrome.
Kıbıcı K, Atca AÖ, Erok B. J Clin Rev Case Rep, 2019.
Large suprasellar psammomatous meningioma: A rare variant.
Erok B, Kıbıcı K, Kaya RA. Pak J Radiol, 2020.
Large pericallosal lipoma after traumatic head injury: Case report.
Erok B, Kıbıcı K, Atca AÖ. Pak J Radiol, 2020.
Fungating orbital mass as presentation of retinoblastoma.
Kıbıcı K, Erok B, Akın O. J Acad Res Med, 2020.
Ligamentum flavum hematoma with L5-S1 pars defect: Case report.
Kıbıcı K, Erok B, Akın O. Indian J Neurosurg, 2020.
Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy in breast cancer: Surgical role.
Kıbıcı K, Erok B, Atca AÖ. Indian J Neurosurg, , 2020.
Drop foot due to peroneal intraneural ganglion: Case report.
Kıbıcı K, Erok B, Akın O. Indian J Neurosurg, 2020.
Surgical decompression of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in meralgia paresthetica.
Kıbıcı K, Erok B, Atca AÖ. Indian J Neurosurg, 2020.
Pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19: Primary or secondary?
Erok B, Kıbıcı K, Atca AÖ. Afr J Respir Med, 2020.
Posterior dynamic stabilization for bilateral L5 pars defect.
Kıbıcı K, Erok B. Turk Neurosurg, , 2020.
Incidental MRI appearance of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Atca AÖ, Erok B, Kıbıcı K. Afr J Respir Med, 2020.
Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma in Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Erok B, Kıbıcı K. Eur J Clin Exp Med, 2021.
Chest CT features of progressive COVID-19 pneumonia.
Erok B, Atca AÖ, Kıbıcı K. Acta Med Mediterr, 2021.
Spinal neurosurgeon
Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci is a leading neurosurgeon. He is known for his skill in brain and spinal surgeries, neurooncology, and skull base surgery. He has worked at top institutions such as Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Elmaci has introduced new techniques in microsurgery and endoscopic skull base surgery.
He is the founding chairman of the Skull Base Society in Turkey. He is also an active member of the European Skull Base Society. Dr. Elmaci has helped advance neurosurgery through teamwork across specialties. He led Turkey’s first EANS-accredited neurosurgery clinic. He also holds accreditations from the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.
Dr. Elmaci has published over 110 scientific papers and given more than 250 presentations at congresses. His work continues to influence neurosurgical practice and patient care around the world.
Op. Dr. Ertuğrul Pınar graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2012 and worked as a general practitioner in Çanakkale and Ağrı before completing his training in the Department of Neurosurgery at Marmara University. He was assigned as a specialist doctor to Şanlıurfa in 2019. In 2021, Dr. Ertuğrul Pınar transitioned to the private sector and is involved in adult and pediatric brain and spine diseases.
Dr. Derya Zengin Metli is a physician specialized in physical therapy and rehabilitation. She graduated from Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine. Her practice includes physical therapy and physiotherapy services. She also consults in English.
Her clinical scope includes musculoskeletal rehabilitation for back, neck, and joint pain, and herniated discs. She provides neurological rehabilitation for stroke and multiple sclerosis. She also offers post-surgical rehabilitation after orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures, sports injury prevention and treatment, and chronic pain management for fibromyalgia and arthritis.
2022 - Currently, İstanbul/Turkey
MEMORIAL ATAŞEHIR HOSPITAL
Neurosurgeon
2018 - 2022, İstanbul/Turkey
VM MEDICAL PARK PENDİK HOSPITAL
Neurosurgeon
2012 - 2018, İstanbul/Turkey
BAHÇEŞEHİR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL PARK GÖZTEPE HOSPITAL
Neurosurgeon
2009 - 2011, Bitlis/Turkey
MINISTRY OF HEALTH TATVAN STATE HOSPITAL
Neurosurgeon
2021 - Present, Istanbul/Türkiye
MEMORIAL BAHCELIEVLER HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Specialist
2009 - 2014, Ankara/Türkiye
ANKARA UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE
Neurosurgery Specialist
2008 - 2009, Konya / Türkiye
KONYA MILITARY HOSPITAL
325th Term Medical Second Lieutenant
2007 - 2008, Agri/Türkiye
DOĞUBAYAZIT STATE HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Specialist (Compulsory Service)
2006 - 2007, Ankara/Türkiye
ANKARA UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE
Neurosurgery Specialist
2001 - 2006, Ankara/Türkiye
ANKARA UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE
Assistant Doctor of Neurosurgery
2019 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye
MEMORIAL BAHCELIEVLER HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Specialist
2019 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye
MEMORIAL SERVICE HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Specialist
2019 - 2019, /USA
Rhode Island Hospital
Neurosurgery Specialist
2018 - 2019, /USA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO SPINA CENTER
Neurosurgery Specialist
2015 - 2018, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye
KOC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Specialist
2013 - 2014, Corum/Corum/Türkiye
HITIT UNIVERSITY CORUM EDUCATION AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Specialist
2007 - 2013, Ankara/Ankara/Türkiye
ATATURK EDUCATION AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Neurosurgery Research Assistant
Prof. Erkan Kaptanoğlu, M.D. was born in Balikesir, Turkey in 1966. After completing his primary school, secondary school and high school education in Balikesir, he graduated from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship at Peterborough District Hospital and Lincoln County Hospital in the United Kingdom. After a year of compulsory medical service, he completed his residency, which he had started in 1992, at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital in 1997 and became a Neurosurgery Specialist. After being assigned at the same hospital as Chief Resident in the same year, he studied “spinal cord injury and spinal cord regeneration” as a “research fellow” alongside Prof. Charles Tator, M.D., at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1998-1999. After returning from Canada in 1999, he was tasked by the Ministry of Health to establish a Field Hospital and to work in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent Society at Hakkari, Şemdinli for two months. Following this assignment, he volunteered to work for the 1999 Marmara Earthquake relief effort.
He became an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in 2004. He earned the title Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) by completing a doctorate program on Advanced Neuroscience between 2000-2005, at Hacettepe University Institute of Medical Sciences. He joined the project for autologous stem cell therapy in human spinal cord injuries with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Hematology at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. In 2009, he was appointed as Deputy Chief to the 1st Neurosurgery Clinic at the Ankara Numune Hospital, where he had been working.
At this hospital, in which he worked until 2010, he supervised and attended complex cranial, pediatric, spinal, trauma and vascular neurosurgery operations. He continued his academic research at Ankara University, Department of Anatomy and research laboratories of Ankara University and Hacettepe University for the purpose of developing strategies for complex spinal surgery operations.
With his research on spinal cord injuries and spinal anatomy, he won many awards such as the Acibadem Hospital Medical Research Award, 1st Place in 2000, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Dr. Mahir Tevruz Scientific Research Award, Tübitak and Brain Research Society Wheyt Award in 2001, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Hamit Ziya Gokalp Young Neurosurgeons Research Award, 2nd Place in 2002, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Yildiz Yalcinlar Scientific Research Award in 2004.
In 2010, he went to Cyprus to found the Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital with the guidance of Hacettepe University, and was appointed as full Professor. Between 2010-2015, he served as the Founder and Head of Department at the Near East University and Founder and Deputy Chief Physician at the University Training and Research Hospital in TRNC.
In 2000-2001, he served as a member of the editorial board for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journal. Between the years 2001-2006, he served as an assistant editor for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journals. In 2002-2003, he served as the Chairman of the Young Neurosurgeons Committee under the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. He was elected to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors to serve between 2003-2009. In 2013, he was again elected as a member to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2015, he became the Chairman of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2018, he was elected as a member to the Board of Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.
In 2015, he was appointed to the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery and was elected as the Head of Department. During the same period, he also served as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience. In 2018, he completed his tenure as the Head of Department. Reaching the end of this tenure in 2019, he retired from his duties as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience and as a Member of the Faculty of Medicine. During his tenure at Marmara University, he supervised and accompanied surgical operations for complex cases from cranial patients to brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas and hypophysis adenomas in particular), cerebral hemorrhages, Parkinson’s disease, trauma and vascular neurosurgery. He performed complex spinal surgery operations such as surgeries for spinal deformities (e.g. scoliosis and kyphosis), thoracoscopic spinal surgeries and sacral tumor surgeries. He conducted research and experimental studies on stem cell therapy and regeneration in spinal cord injuries. Between 2019-2020, currently He continues his clinical practice and surgeries along with his local and international academic studies, from his private clinic and Istanbul Brain and Spine Center.
He has attended numerous national and international courses and meetings as an instructor and speaker, was a guest speaker in over 100 events and conferences. He has published 65 international, 35 national scientific articles, edited 7 books, written 52 book chapters. He has served in the organizational committee 5 times in international meetings and 22 times in national meetings.
He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Turkish Spine Society, EUROSPINE, AO Spine, Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.
Education and Specialization:
Professional Experience:
Areas of Expertise:
Research and Publications: Prof. Dr. Arslan has numerous publications in prestigious journals, covering topics such as the treatment of brain and spinal tumors, innovative neurosurgical techniques, and outcomes of neurosurgical interventions. His work includes studies on brain ischemia/reperfusion injury, spinal cord ischemia, and various other neurosurgical conditions.
Professional Memberships: