Spinal Cord Abscess Doctors Abroad — Page 3

Professor Salih Murat Imer is a highly accomplished neurosurgeon who founded the Neurosurgery Department at Okan University Hospital and holds a five-year European Board certification.

• Specialises in full-endoscopic spine surgery – uses tiny incisions for faster recovery and less tissue damage
• Expert in functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, focused on precise targeting of deep spinal and brain structures
• Published 68 peer-reviewed articles and nine book chapters on complex neurosurgical outcomes
• Completed advanced fellowships across Europe, including specialist training in Finland, Germany, and France

Lee Sang‑Gu, MD, PhD, is the Honorary Director of Neurosurgery at Naeun Hospital. He treats spinal tumors and disorders. His work includes minimally invasive spine surgery, cervical spine conditions, head trauma, and disability and impairment evaluation.

He previously served as Chief of Neurosurgery at Korea Veterans Hospital. He was also Director and Professor of Neurosurgery at Gachon University Gil Medical Center. He is President of the Korean Spinal Cord Society. He is a former president of KOMISS, the Korean Medical Appraisal Society, and the Korean Peripheral Nerve Society. He has served as Executive Director of the Korean Neurosurgical Society, the Korean Neurotraumatology Society, and the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society. He was listed in Marquis Who’s Who in 2010. He is an AOSpine Asia Pacific committee member and a full member of NASS. He earned his MD and PhD from Hanyang University.

Prof. Dr. Tufan Cansever is an experienced neurosurgeon. He specializes in spinal surgery, brain tumors, and neurovascular diseases. His expertise includes minimally invasive spine surgery, pain management, and interventional procedures. He uses advanced surgical techniques and a patient-centered approach. He achieves strong outcomes in diagnosis and treatment. He has contributed to many international scientific publications.

Professional memberships: Turkish Neurosurgical Society; Turkish Spine Society. Awards: Dr. Yıldız Yalçınlar Scientific Research Award (2009); Prof. Dr. Hamit Ziya Gökalp Young Neurosurgeon Award, 2nd Prize (2012); Neurosurgery Thesis Support Award (2005).

Associate Professor Mehmet Tonge is a specialist neurosurgeon who trained at Zurich University Hospital in microneurosurgery and intraoperative MRI applications.

• Specialises in functional neurosurgery to manage complex spinal pain and spasticity
• Uses intraoperative MRI for real-time imaging during delicate spinal procedures
• Completed rigorous training with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Fellowship trained in deep brain stimulation at Maastricht University
• Author of 32 international publications on surgical techniques and neurosciences

Dr Ali Osman Mucuoglu is a neurosurgical specialist at Atlas University Hospital who focuses on intricate spinal and peripheral nerve surgery. He has trained extensively in managing complex spinal conditions with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

• Completed the prestigious Mehmet Zileli Advanced Spinal Surgery Course
• Specialises in minimally invasive surgery to treat spinal lesions and haemorrhages
• Active member of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Published research on treating rare spinal cysts and neural foraminal issues

Dr. Halil Can is a Professor of Neurosurgery (2025; Associate Professor 2020). He completed neurosurgical training at Istanbul University–Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in 2007. His clinical focus includes endoscopic and microsurgical spine surgery for fractures, tumors, and degenerative disease; advanced pain procedures; endoscopic skull base and pituitary surgery; and neurovascular, neuro-oncologic, and peripheral nerve surgery.

He has 21 international peer-reviewed papers (SCI/SSCI). Topics include cadaveric morphometry of Kambin’s triangle and the transforaminal triangular working zone, lumbar arterial and anterior approach anatomy, and an in vitro test of a new lumbar fixation device.

His clinical studies include a single-team series of 81 posterior circulation aneurysms, with 13 flow-diversion cases. He also reported five spinal cavernous malformation cases. He conducted Phase I safety and feasibility stem-cell trials in pediatric hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and in chronic complete spinal cord injury.

Dr. Nurperi Gazioglu is a neurosurgeon. She trained at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. She earned her MD in 1984 after study from 1978 to 1984. She completed neurosurgery training from 1986 to 1993. Her 1993 dissertation examined “Fetal Hypophysis Transplantation Under the Renal Capsule in Rats.”

She completed advanced courses in endoscopic pituitary surgery (2005, 2007, 2008) and endoscopic lumbar disc surgery (2007). She also trained in molecular genetics for clinicians (2003) and CME with the World Federation of Neurology (2002). She studied epilepsy surgery focused on insular–hippocampal anatomy (1999) and thoracolumbar trauma (1998). She attended the EANS European Neurosurgery Course (1988). Her clinical training includes observerships at APHP Necker–Enfants Malades and Hôpital Lariboisière in 1991. She completed an internship there in 1999.

Professor Tuncay Kaner completed an intensive spinal surgery fellowship at UCLA - one of the top-ranked medical centres in the United States.

• Specialises in neurosurgery and complex spinal interventions
• Trained at the Istanbul American Hospital spinal surgery programme
• Member of the Society for Minimal Intervention in Spinal Surgery
• Expertise in scoliosis management through the Scoliosis Research Society
• Performed research as a visiting faculty member at the University of Virginia

Professor Kenan Kibici is a highly specialised neurosurgeon at Medical Park Bahcelievler who focuses on microsurgery and complex spinal interventions.

• Specialises in spinal stabilisation and decompression to treat abscesses and nerve trauma
• Completed advanced microsurgery training at the GATA Military Medicine Faculty
• Uses minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time and post-operative pain
• Member of the Spine Society of Europe and the Turkish Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group
• Serves as a Neurosurgery Lecturer at Altinbas University Faculty of Medicine

Dr Evren Sandal specializes in craniocervical junction surgery at Medicalpoint International Hospital – focusing on the complex area where the skull meets the spine.

• Completed a research fellowship at the University of Wisconsin in the USA
• Specialises in neurovascular surgery to treat delicate blood vessel issues in the spine
• Uses skull base techniques for safer access to hard-to-reach spinal areas
• Trained at Ege University, one of Turkey's premier medical institutions

Professor Alper Karaoglan is a specialist neurosurgeon at Memorial Bodrum Hospital who formerly led the neurosurgery department at Maltepe University.

• Specialises in neurosurgery – treats complex infections and abscesses of the spinal cord
• Recipient of the Hamit Ziya Gokalp Young Neurosurgeon Encouragement Award
• Held senior academic positions including Professor and Associate Professor
• Active member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society
• Earned a Best Paper Award for research on spinal cord and brain vascular protection

Dr Ibrahim Akkurt is a neurosurgery specialist at Büyük Anadolu Hospitals, focusing on intricate spine and brain operations.

• Specialises in spinal canal narrowing surgery to relieve pressure on nerves
• Performs microsurgical lumbar and cervical repairs using smaller incisions for faster recovery
• Expertise in treating spine fractures and spinal tumours
• Member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society
• Manages complex cases of lumbar slipping and scoliosis at a major hospital centre

Professor Naki Keles is a specialist neurosurgeon at Büyük Anadolu Hospitals who focuses on treating complex conditions through minimally invasive spine surgery.

• Uses endoscopic closed surgery to access the spine through tiny incisions
• Minimises muscle damage and blood loss for faster post-operative recovery
• Specialises in managing trauma including surgical treatment for acute spine fractures
• Expert in microsurgical techniques for both cervical and lumbar spine herniations
• Focuses on precise surgical debridement of spinal infections and lesions

Associate Professor Ahmet Karkucak is a highly qualified neurosurgeon at Büyük Anadolu Hospitals who specialises in complex surgical interventions involving the central nervous system.

• Treats spinal infections and abscesses using microsurgical techniques to decompress the spinal cord
• Performs delicate spine surgery to remove pressure and prevent permanent nerve damage
• Specialises in peripheral nerve surgery to restore function after neurological trauma
• Manages complex spinal fractures and tumours using stabilising surgical methods
• Focuses on precision-based repairs for neck, back, and waist hernias