Best Brain MRI doctors in Istanbul: TOP 94 doctors

Gülümser Kızıltaş Tokmak, M.D., graduated from Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul University in 2002 and completed residency at Neurology Clinic, Okmeydanı Teaching and Research Hospital in 2008. She holds a master’s degree in Electrophysiology from Istanbul University, and has studied and worked in fields such as EMG, EEG, PSG, Dementia, Headache, and Vertigo. She has worked at Ağrı State Hospital Neurology Clinic, Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, and Medical Park Hospitals.

Award-winning stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon from Turkey, working for over 30 years. 

Expert in deep brain stimulation (DBS). Has provided over 850 successful DBS procedures and more than 1,350 neurosurgery procedures. Broke a Guinness World Record for the biggest number of patients after DBS gathered in one place. Was trained in Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Israel, Belgium, and the USA. Cooperates with Bookimed from 2018 and regularly trains and educates the Bookimed’s team for training and education in neurology.

The Medical Advisory Board expert is a verified credible medical professional with solid theoretical background and practical experience in the field. The expert provides support related to medical content accuracy for medical writers and performs educational workshops to Bookimed coordinators serving patient requests.

The medical content creation under the expert’s control follows rigorous and well-established procedure to be informative, trustworthy, and transparent and making Bookimed.com a credible source of evidence-based health information.

Dr. Tamer Atasever is a Nuclear Medicine Specialist with 39 years of experience, speaking English and Turkish. He is a professor in Gazi University and has been a director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine in Ankara Order Laboratory. He is a member of the Turkey Association of Nuclear Medicine and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

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.

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

Experience

2021 year - 2022 year

Clinical Manager of Radiation Oncology, Medicana International Istanbul Hospital

2021 year - 2022 year

Department of Radiation Oncology, Biruni University Faculty of Medicine

2020 year - 2021 year

Clinical Manager of Radiation Oncology, Medicana International Istanbul Hospital

2017 year - 2020 year

Clinical Manager of Radiation Oncology, Neolife Medical Center

2016 year - 2017 year

Department of Radiation Oncology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine

2011 year - 2016 year

Department of Radiation Oncology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine

2010 year - 2011 year

Department of Radiation Oncology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine

2008 year - 2010 year

Radiation Oncology Clinic, Samsun Training and Research Hospital (Education Coordinator)

2006 year

Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylül University

2006 year - 2008 year

Radiation Oncology Clinic, Samsun Mehmet Aydın State Hospital (Compulsory Service)

2000 year - 2006 year

Medical Faculty, Dokuz Eylül University

Education

2022 year

Biruni University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty Member, Professor Doctor

2022 year

Anadolu University Open Education Faculty Undergraduate Program, Cultural Heritage and Tourism

2021 year

Feyziye Schools Foundation Işık University Health Services Vocational School, Faculty Member, Associate Professor Doctor

2017 year

Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty Member

2017 year

Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Associate Professor Doctor

2006 year

Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Specialist Doctor, Compulsory Service

2006 year

Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Specialization

1998 year

Ege University, Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Tamer Tekin is a distinguished Neurosurgeon who received his medical degree from Gülhane Military Medicine Faculty in 1999. His clinical expertise encompasses a wide range of spinal conditions and treatments, with particular focus on spinal trauma, degenerative spinal diseases, and advanced surgical techniques. Dr. Tekin specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, laser discectomy, and various therapeutic interventions including spinal injections and kyphoplasty.

As a spine specialist, Dr. Tekin has developed significant expertise in complex procedures such as disc replacement and spine reconstruction. His practice extends to the treatment of spine tumors and infections, demonstrating his comprehensive approach to spinal care.

Trustworthy, attentive, successful neurosurgeon with over 34 years of experience, high rate of success and exceptional surgical skills, providing quality neurological service for patients, successfully treating over thousands of patients suffering from many severe, complex conditions of the brain, spine and the nerves. 

Experienced in performing treatment modalities like micro neurosurgery, endoscopic skull base surgery, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, minimally invasive spine surgery and percutaneous spine surgery. Keen on performing clinical research and attending national and international medical conferences to stay abreast of new technologies in the field. Compassionate and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Expertise in healthcare, education and program management. Adept at developing and implementing forward-thinking strategies to enhance patient outcomes and collective knowledge in the field. Desiring to bring skills and success. Focused on working closely with other medical professionals and following up with patients. Well-versed at emergency procedures and fast and accurate sanitation.

Work History

2020-01 – Current - Asst. Prof. Neurosurgeon

Istanbul Medipol University, Health Care Practice and Research Center Pendik Hospital

• He successfully treated and followed patients with cerebral hemorrhage, brain and spinal cord tumors, and patients with hydrocephalus.

• He performed transnasal pituitary surgeries with success.

• Also, many cervical lumbar and thoracic disc patients were successfully treated, and disc prosthesis were applied to some of them.

• He re-operated a degenerative spine patient who had been operated on before at another center and the patient regained his health.

• He also successfully treated patients with premature neonatal intracerebral hemorrhage.

2019-08 – 2020-01 - Neurosurgeon

Freelancer, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases and improve patients' motor functions. Performed successful operations for complex, advanced and complicated disease of the brain and spine some of which were operated unsuccessfully at other medical centers by different neurosurgeons.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Maintained admitting privileges at local hospitals and provided quality follow-up care.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Founded a spinal surgery group with orthopedic surgeons and treated very advanced and severe vertebra deformities, spine abnormalities, scoliosis.

2018-12 - 2019-08 - Neurosurgeon

Alkafeel Super Speciality Hospital, Karbala, Iraq

• Conducted up to 5 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate 100 percent : 90-95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery, spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas, Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery, pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery, spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery, microdiscectomy cervical, thoracic, lumbar, pediatric cranial and spine anomaly surgery). Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries.

• Examined 900 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatments to them when necessary.

2015-10 - 2018-11 - Neurosurgeon

Medistate Kavacık Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat different advanced, complex severe diseases and improve patients' motor functions.

• Conducted up to operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. 

• Performed successful operations (success rate percent : 95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain , spine and nerves in adults and children.(Brain tumor, arachnoid cyst, intracerebral hematoma, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele).Followed the patients postoperatively. 

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (intracerebral hematoma, intracerebral abscess).

• Examined 850 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary.

1994-03 - 2015-09 - Neurosurgeon

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

• Supervised trainees, medical students, residents and fellows to help each achieve proficiency in field.

• Conducted up to 20 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate: %90) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Skull base surgery, extended trans base approach, orbit zygomatic approach, presigmoid approach, orbital approaches, transcranial and lateral orbitotomy, Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, CSF leakage surgery, endoscopic, microscopic and transsphenoidal, transcranial. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and surgery of multiloculated hydrocephalus and pediatric neurosurgery. Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery. Brain aneurysm, AVM and cavernoma surgery.

• Spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas. Hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia surgery (microsurgical decompression) Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery. Pineal area surgery. Pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery.

• Foreman magnum tumors surgery. Surgery of hydrocephaly, Syringomyelia and craniovertebral animalia).Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (Epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma, vertebra fracture).

• Examined 500-700 patients per day in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary. Examined patients in the emergency service.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Led and oversaw 15 medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

• Led and oversaw medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

Education

1982-09 - 1988-08

M.D.: Medicine And (Pre-Medicine)

Ankara University Medical School - Ankara

General Medicine Training for 6 years. Graduated with a high GPA.

1988-11 - 1994-05

Specialist Neurosurgery: Neuroscience

University of Health Sciences - Ankara

6 years of neurosurgery training.

• My thesis was on brain abscess and their clinical and laboratory evaluations

1995-05 - 1995-07

Neuroscience

The Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

Ankara

I attended the course for microsurgery at University of Hacettepe Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

1998-04 - 2019-05

Observer Doctor: Neuroscience

Department of Neurosurgery, MSU - Ann Arbour, 

Michigan USA

2012-05 - 2012-05

Neuro endoscopy: Neuroscience

Ghent University - Ghent, Belgium

International endoscopic neurosurgery workshop, 

Ghent, Belgium

I attended the workshop for endoscopic skull base operations the and Neuro endoscopic third ventriculostomy at University of Ghent Hospital

Skills

Micro neurosurgery - Excellent

Neuro endoscopy - Excellent

Cranial base endoscopy - Excellent

Minimal invasive surgery - Excellent

Percutaneous spinal surgery - Excellent

Neuronavigation – Excellent

Certifications

1995-04 Microsurgery

2012-05 Endoscopy

Languages

Turkish - Native

English - Advanced

Arabic - Novice

Affiliations

Turkish Neurosurgical Society

Turkish Medical Association

Accomplishments

• Trained team of staff nurses in medical office procedures to ensure consistent quality of care.

• Published 17 articles in national and international reviews and presented papers in medical congresses.

Interests and operations I perform

Vascular diseases of brain

Endoscopic hypophysis surgery

Tumors of brain, spine and medulla spinalis surgery

Endoscopic brain ventricle surgery

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy 

Traumas of brain and spine

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc hernias and narrow 

canal disease surgery

Spine instrumentation and fusion surgery

Baclofen pump and neurostimulators insertions

Hydrocephalus surgery

Congenital diseases of the brain and spine (pediatric 

neurosurgery)

Peripheral nerve surgery

Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmacı was born in Niğde, a city located in the heart of Anatolia. He completed his high school education in Adana and graduated from Ankara University Medical School. His career began in 1987 at the Bakırköy Neurological Sciences Hospital, under the mentorship of Dr. Zeki Oral, where he completed his Neurosurgery residency by 1993. During this time, he also undertook groundbreaking micro neurosurgery training at Zurich University under the guidance of Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil.

From 1993 to 2003, Prof. Elmacı served as a teaching assistant and later assistant professor at Professor Necmettin Pamir’s Clinic, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine. He also enhanced his expertise in neurooncology and vascular neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, working with Professors Donlin M. Long and Daniele Rigamonti. In 2003, he was appointed Associate Professor of Neurosurgery.

Between 2004 and 2010, Prof. Elmacı served as Chief of Clinic at Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, where he led the clinic to become the first in Turkey accredited by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). During this period, he completed his endoscopic skull base surgery training at the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2010, Prof. Elmacı joined Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine as a Professor of Neurosurgery and went on to establish the Neurosurgery Department at Medipol University Faculty of Medicine in 2012. He headed the Neurosurgery Department at Memorial Health Group Istanbul Hospitals from 2014 to 2018, and then worked with his team at Maslak Hospital, Acıbadem Health Group, until September 2021.

Since October 2021, he has been working with his team at his private clinic in Fulya and Ulus Hospital of Liv Health Group. Prof. Elmacı is the founding chairman of the Skull Base Society in Turkey and a member of the Executive Committee of the European Skull Base Society (ESBS). With more than 110 published scientific papers in international journals and over 250 congress presentations, he continues to shape the field of neurosurgery.

Since November 2023, he has been working with his team at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, focusing on cutting-edge areas of research and treatment, including brain and spinal tumors, pituitary adenomas, brain vascular diseases, back and neck pain, hydrocephalus, cerebellar herniation, syringomyelia, and trigeminal neuralgia. He also specializes in microsurgery, endoscopic surgery, and advanced techniques like neuromonitorization and neuronavigation to improve patient outcomes. His work is guided by ethical principles, always aiming to preserve patients' quality of life.

Education & Training

Medical Education:

• Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey (1977 - 1983)
• M.D. Degree earned in 1983

Neurosurgical Training:

• Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul (1985 - 1991)
• Certification from the Turkish Ministry of Health, Turkish Board in Neurosurgery (1991)

Previous Appointments

• Physician: Obligatory Service, March 1983 - March 1985
• Consultant Neurosurgeon: Medical Faculty, Trakya University, Edirne, February 1993 - September 1993
• Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery: Medical Faculty, Trakya University, Edirne, September 1993 - January 1996
• Consultant Neurosurgeon: Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, January 1996 - January 2000
• Associate Professor: Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, January 2000 - January 2006
• Professor of Neurosurgery: Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, January 2006 - April 2011
• Retired from University: April 2011
• Professor of Neurosurgery & Founder: Neurosurgery Department, Okan University Hospital, Istanbul, December 2016 - March 2018
• Current Appointment: Private Office, Kadıköy, Ataşehir & Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospitals

Certificates & Specializations

1. Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery Course, Oulu, Finland, 1990
2. EANS European Courses (5-year cycle): Amsterdam (1988), Rostock (1989), Çeşme (1994), Klagenfurt (1995), Aalborg (1996)
3. Primary Examination for European Board, Klagenfurt, Austria, 1995
4. Advanced Training in Functional Disorders with Leksell Gamma Knife, Marseille, France, 2004
5. Advanced Training in Vestibular Schwannomas and Skull Base Surgery with Leksell Gamma Knife, Marseille, France, 2004
6. DISC Nucleoplasty in Cervical and Lumbar Disc Diseases, Freiburg, Germany, 2004
7. Neuropathfinder Train-the-Trainer, Vienna, Austria, 2009
8. Neuropathfinder Train-the-Trainer, Athens, Greece, 2011
9. Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery Certificate, Herne, Germany, 2011

International Experience

1. University Central Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Kuopio, Finland, under the care of Prof. Matti Vapalahti and Prof. Juha Hernesniemi, April-May 1990
2. Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and Radiosurgery, Marseille, France, August-October 2004

Publications & Presentations

• 9 Book Chapters (National & International Publications)
• 68 Articles
• 82 Reports (Presented orally or as posters)
• 33 International Congresses (Speaker or Moderator)
• 99 National Congresses & Symposia (Speaker or Moderator)

Medical School: Suleyman Demirel University, 2004

Neurosurgery Training: Gazi University, Department of Neurosurgery, 2011

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

• Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

* Surgery for pain & spasticity

* Psychosurgery

Research areas of interest:

* Deep brain stimulation

• Stereotactic radiosurgery

Education

University of Wisconsin Clinic of Neurosurgery (2017, Madison/USA)
Bakırköy Psychiatric Hospital (2014, Istanbul/Turkey)
Mersin University Faculty of Medicine (2007, Mersin/Turkey)

Experience

Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital (2014-2021, Istanbul/Turkey)
Istanbul Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital (2008-2014, Istanbul/Turkey)
Çorlu State Hospital (2007-2008, Çorlu/Turkey)

• In 2014, I completed my specialty training in the Department of Neurosurgery at Istanbul Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital and started to work as a specialist in Neurosurgery at Istanbul Health Sciences University Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital,
• In 2017, I was a visiting scholar at the University of Wisconsin Department of Neurosurgery/ Madison USA.
• In 2021, I received the title of associate professor.
• In December 2021, I left Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, where I worked for 7.5 years, and started working at Biruni University Hospital.
•  

Scientific Memeberships

Turkish Neurosurgical Society
Turkish Spine Society
EUROSPINE
Turkish Medical Association

Education

GATA Faculty of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine Education, 1984, Ankara/Istanbul
GATA Faculty of Medicine, Neurology Residency, 1992, Ankara/Istanbul

Experience

GATA Neurology Department Specialization Student (1987-1992, Ankara/Turkey)
GATA Neurology Department Assistant Professor (1992-1995, Ankara/Turkey)
KüTahya Air Hospital Neurology Specialist and Chief Physician (1995-2003, Kütahya/Turkey)
Şişli Memorial Hospital Neurology Specialist (2004-2021, Istanbul/Turkey)

I completed my primary, secondary and high school education in Konya, my hometown, and my medical school and medical specialty education in Ankara GATA. I received flight medicine training and worked as a flight physician in the military and civilian sectors. I received beginner and advanced photography training and opened 4 photography exhibitions. I have made photography studies in 56 countries in Turkey and in 56 countries that I had the opportunity to visit.

Scientific Memberships

Turkish Medical Association
DGCA Health Board Membership

Dr Önul is FROM THE BEST DOCTORS in the field of Endoscopic skull base surgery and pituitary surgery Brain tumor surgery (Neuro Oncological surgery)


I was born in Artvin in 1977. He became a doctor from KTU Faculty of Medicine in 2001, and Bakırköy Prof. Dr. I became a Neurosurgery Specialist by getting the title of specialist from Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital. Again, in the same hospital, I was entitled to the title of associate professor in 2016. I continue to work at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, where I voluntarily joined with the task of establishing the Neurosurgery Clinic with my teammates. I am married and have 2 children. I love painting. I am very interested in children's literature. I have 10 printed children's tales