Anyone diagnosed with a cavernous malformation should be seen by an experienced vascular neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon will conduct an evaluation and make a recommendation on a course of treatment tailored specifically to that patient. The treatment plan will depend on the size and location of the malformation, the severity of the symptoms, the health of the patient, and on the risk of future hemorrhage.
Even within the specialty of neurosurgery there are sub-specialists who have particular expertise in cerebrovascular conditions like cavernous malformation, arteriovenous malformation, or aneurysm, and who have many years of experience in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. At Weill Cornell, our faculty includes some of the very best world-renowned specialists:
Philip E. Stieg, Ph.D., M.D., the chair and neurosurgeon-in-chief of the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, leads the cerebrovascular team. Dr. Stieg is one of the top neurosurgeons in the nation, having been named one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly each year since that designation was created nearly two decades ago. Dr. Stieg has developed an international reputation in the area of cerebrovascular disorders and surgery; his work has been broadly published, and he has contributed to groups such as the Joint Sections of Cerebrovascular Surgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS). He is the past President of the Society of University Neurosurgeons and has received multiple awards and honors for his work. (Read more about Dr. Stieg.)
Jared Knopman, M.D., Director of Cerebrovascular Surgery and Interventional Neuroradiology, specializes in the treatment of vascular diseases of the brain and spine and is one of the few neurosurgeons in New York City with dual expertise in both open neurosurgical and minimally invasive interventional techniques. Dr. Knopman has done specialized fellowship training in endovascular neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology at Weill Cornell Medical College and is an expert in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, AVMs, carotid stenosis, stroke, and pre-operative embolization. (Read more about Dr. Knopman.)
Justin Schwarz, M.D., is an award-winning neurosurgeon with fellowship training in stroke, AVMs, and other neurovascular conditions. He specializes in advanced, minimally invasive approaches to treating cerebrovascular disorders, using the most innovative new tools and technologies. He has expertise in endovascular embolization, venous stenting, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, and other cutting-edge techniques that use only the tiniest of incisions. (Read more about Dr. Schwarz.)
In Queens:
Ning Lin, M.D. brings a unique combination of neurosurgical and endovascular experience in treating a wide range of vascular diseases of the brain and spine. He has published multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented in national neurosurgery conferences on the topic of cavernous malformation. Dr. Lin sees patients and performs surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens. (Read more about Dr. Lin.)
In Brooklyn:
Michael Ayad, MD, PhD, is the Director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Dr. Ayad has advanced expertise in cerebrovascular conditions including cavernous malformations, intracranial aneurysms, AVMs, carotid artery disease, Moyamoya disease, intracerebral hemorrhage, and spinal vascular disorders. He is board-certified in neurosurgery and holds two U.S. patents for neurosurgical devices used in the operating room. (Read more about Dr. Ayad.)
The surgeons of the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center have the state-of-the-art facilities of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the top hospitals in the United States, available to them for their lifesaving work. The combined resources and expertise of the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center allow us to offer the very best in patient care, with excellent outcomes. Use our online form to request an appointment.
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