Best Pituitary tumor surgery pediatric neurosurgeons in Turkey: TOP 32 doctors

Dr. Aşkın Şeker is a highly respected Neurosurgeon with 23+ years of experience and numerous awards and achievements. He has interests in endoscopic skull base surgery, neuroanatomy, functional neurosurgery, movement disorders, spinal surgery, herniated disc, neck hernia and endoscopic surgeries. He is a member of numerous professional organizations and has 47 articles published in SCI international journals, papers presented in 33 international scientific meetings, 10 articles in national journals, and wrote chapters for 2 international books.

Neurosurgeon with extensive education from Marmara University, Uludag University, and Harvard Medical School. Experienced in research, state service, and teaching. Member of Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Turkish Neurosurgery Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group, Turkish Spine Association, North American Spine Society, and Nervous System Surgery Association.

He was born in Niğde which is the city middle part of Anatolia. He studied high school in Adana. He graduated from Ankara University Medical School of Medicine. He started his career at Bakırköy Neurological Sciences Hospital in Zeki Oral MD.’s Clinic in 1987 and finished his Neurosurgery residency in 1993. During this period, he completed his micro neurosurgery education, which was a breakthrough for him, at Zurich University “Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil’s Clinic”.

Between 1993-2003, he worked as a teaching assistant and then as an assistant professor at the Professor Necmettin Pamir’s Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University. At the same time, he obtained clinical and surgical gains in the field of neurooncology and vascular neurosurgery at Professor Donlin M. Long and Daniele Rigamonti's Clinic at Johns Hopkins University, USA. In 2003, he received the title of Associate Professor of Neurosurgery.

Between 2004-2010, he worked as Chief of Clinic in Göztepe Training and Research Hospital of Ministry of Health. During this period, he led his clinic to become the only accredited clinic by EANS (The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) in Turkey, with its educational and care services. During this period, he completed his endoscopic skull base training starting at the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2010, he started to work for Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine and became a Professor of Neurosurgery. He established the Neurosurgery Department in Medipol University Faculty of Medicine on 2012. He served as a Head of Neurosurgery Department in Memorial Health Group Istanbul Hospitals between 2014-2018. He served Neurosurgery Department of Maslak Hospital of Acıbadem Health Group with his team between 2018- September 2021.

Since 01.10.2021, He have started to work with his team at my private clinic located in Fulya and Ulus Hospital of Liv Health Group.

He served as the founding chairman of ”Skull Base Society” in Turkey. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the European Skull Base Society (ESBS).

There are more than 110 scientific papers which he hs published in international refereed journals (SCI/SCIEx) and in national refereed journals and 18 scientific articles. He Has more than 250 scientific congress presentations, published books and chapters in books.

Professional Experience Compulsory Service 2014 - 15 District Health Director - Güroymak Community Health Center/BİTLİS Specialization 2015 - 20 Fırat University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. Work Location 2024 - present Eskişehir City Hospital Neurosurgery Department Education Siirt Ataturk Anatolian High School 2003 - 07 Fırat University Faculty of Medicine 2007 - 13 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES • 1. Ozturk S, Erol FS, Akgun B, Surme MB, Artas G, Ozercan IH. Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Cavernous Hemangioma Mimicking Neurofibroma in a Patient Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type I. Turkish Journal of Neurosurgery 2016; 26:141-144. • 2. Akgun B, Ozturk S, Taskent I, Surme MB, Erol FS, Yildirim H. Evaluation of Apparent Diffusion Coefficients in the Cerebellar Tonsils and Bulbus in Chiari Type I Malformations: Comparison Before and After Surgery. Turk Neurosurg. 2017 May 7. • 3. Surme MB, Hergünsel OB, Ertugrul B, Kaplan M. Ossifying Chronic Subdural Hematoma. Turkiye Clinicals Journal of Neurology. 2017;12:44-48 • 4. Akgun B, Surme MB, Ozturk S, Erol FS. Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematomas: Evaluation of 12 Cases. F.U. Journal of Health Science and Medicine. 2016; 30:107-111. • 5. Surme MB, Hergunsel OB, Akgun B, Kaplan M. Cranioplasty with preoperatively customized Polymethyl-methacrylate by using 3-Dimensional Printed Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol Mold. J Neurosci Neurol Disord. 2018; 2:052-064. • 6. Bakal U, Poyraz AK, Tartar T, Akdeniz I, Surme MB, Çelik S. A Rare Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: Asymptomatic Small Bowel Perforation Istanbul Med J 2019; 20(6): 571-3. • 7. De Lima L, Surme MB, Gessi M, Mastronuzzi A, Miele E, Tamburrini G, Massimi L. Central nervous system high-grade neuroepithelial tumor with BCOR alteration (CNS HGNET-BCOR)—case-based reviews Child's Nervous System ( 2020) 36:1589–1599 • 8. Surme MB, Demir F, Erol D., Kaplan M. Is There A Genetic Relationship Between Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia And Meningioma ? A Case Report Of 3 Genes Analyzes. Arq Bras Neurocir 2021;00:1–3. • 9. Gurbuz O, Surme MB. The effect of intradiscal percutaneous radiopaque gel ethanol injection on pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation: Our clinical experience. Eskisehir Med. J. 2022; 3(2):130-137. • 10. Arikan E, Surme MB. Evaluation of Clinical and Radiological Findings of Patients Diagnosed with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hematoma. Mevlana Medical Sciences Journal 2 (2), 70-74. ORAL PRESENTATIONS • Hergünsel OB, Ertugrul B, Surme MB, Kaplan M. A Case of Cervicogenic Headache Treated with C1 Posterior Arch Resection. Turkish Journal of Neurosurgery 30th Scientific Congress, 8-12 April 2016, Antalya. • Ozturk S, Erol FS, Akgun B, Surme MB, Artas G, Ozercan İH. Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Cavernous Hemangioma Mimicking Neurofibroma in a Patient Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type I. Turkish Neurosurgery Society 30th Scientific Congress. 8-12 April 2016, Antalya. • Ertugrul B, Surme MB, Ozturk S, Kaplan M. A Case of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma Presenting with Intergluteal Tail. Turkish Neurosurgery Society 30th Scientific Congress. 8-12 April 2016, Antalya. • Akgun B, Surme MB, Ozturk S, Demir F, Okcesiz I, Erol FS. Evaluation of Acute Lumbar Disc Hernias with Thin Section Lumbar MRI. 12th International Turkish Spine Congress, 19-22 April 2017, Antalya. • Akgun B, Ozturk S, Taskent I, Surme MB, Erol FS, Yildirim H. Evaluation of Apparent Diffusion Coefficients in the Cerebellar Tonsils and Bulbus in Chiari Type I Malformations: Comparison Before and After Surgery. XVI. World Congress of Neurosurgery, August 20-25, 2017, Istanbul. • Akgun B, Surme MB, Ozturk S, Erol FS. Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematomas: Evaluation of 12 Cases. 12th International Turkish Spine Congress. 19-22 April 2017, Antalya. • Surme MB, Hergunsel OB, Celik S., Kaplan M, Erol FS. Evaluation of Cases with Cervical Spondylomyelopathy who underwent corpectomy - Our Clinical Experience. Turkish Neurosurgery Society 32nd Scientific Congress. 20-24 April 2018, Antalya. • Surme MB, Hergunsel OB, Akgun B, Kaplan M. Repair of Orbitofrontal Defects Using Polymethylmethacrylate Grafts Created by 3D Printer. Turkish Neurosurgery Society 32nd Scientific Congress. 20-24 April 2018, Antalya. C I T A T I O N S • My publications have a total of 40 citations. CERTIFICATES (OTHER) • 1. I received an Academic Incentive Bonus for 1 year in 2017 for my academic publications. • 2. Community Health Center Physicians Education. 14-18 July 2014, Kars. (Turkish public health institution). • 3. V. Turkey Zoonotic Diseases Symposium. 24 October 2015, Erzurum. (EKMUD- Turkish Infectious Diseases Specialization Association and TVHB - Turkish Veterinary Medical Association). • 4. Meaningful Occupation Solutions Together. 15-17 April 2015, Gothenburg/Sweden. (Lifelong Learning Programme). • 5. Certificate of Achievement (Position: District Health Manager) 2015, Güroymak/ Bitlis • (Güroymak District Governorship) • 6. Between 16.03.2019 - 04.04.2019, I performed my military service in Mamak/Ankara and was given a 'Certificate of Appreciation'. CERTIFICATES (NEUROSURGERY) • 1. Intracranial Aneurysms and Vascular Neuroanatomy. 14-15 January 2017, Mersin (TNDer Neuroanatomy and Neurovascular Education Training Group). • 2. XII. International Turkish Spine Congress. 19-22 April 2017, Antalya (Turkish Spine Association). • 3. Certificate of Use of Experimental Animals. 10.12.2018 – 20.12.2018, Elazig (FÜSEM- Fırat University Continuing Education Center). • 4. Turkish Neurosurgery Academy 4th Scientific Conference. 1-4 November 2018, Adana. • 5. Turkish Neurosurgery Society Training Program 6.Semester 1.Module. 28.06.2018- 01.07.2018, Mudanya/Bursa. (Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group). • 6. Turkish Neurosurgery Association Training Program 7.Semester 2.Module 27.06.2019 – 30.06.2019, Van. (Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group). • 7. Turkish Neurosurgery Association Training Program 8th Term 1st Course 2-5 May 2019, Kayseri. (Pediatric Neurosurgery Teaching and Training Group). • 8. Current Developments in Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. 30.11.2019, Elazig. (Koç University Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Selçuk Peker) • 9. Turkish Neurosurgery Society 25. Spinal Symposium 28-31 October 2021, Çeşme. (Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group) • 10. Turkish Neurosurgery Society, 34. Scientific Congress. September 30 - October 3, 2021, Online • 11. Turkish Neurosurgery Association, NOVA 19-22 May, 2022, Kütahya. (Speaker) • 12. Spinal Deformity Correction Maneuvers Course 21 May 2022, Eskişehir. (Speaker) • 13. Turkish Neurosurgery Society, 35. Scientific Congress. 24 – 27 November 2022, Antalya. (Speaker) • 14. Complex Spinal Surgery, February 4, 2023, Eskişehir (Speaker). • 15. I worked as a fellow in the Pediatric Neurosurgery department of Catholica University (Rome/Italy) Agostino Gemelli Hospital between 15.01.2020 and 14.02.2020 for 1 month. ORAL PRESENTATIONS(2) • Surme MB, Ertugrul B, Sen D, Kaplan M. Is There a Genetic Link Between Meningioma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia? A Case Presentation Involving the Analysis of 3 Genes. 33rd Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. April 11-14, 2019, Antalya. • Ozturk S, Surme MB, Gönen M, Yıldırım H, Korkmaz S, Kocabıçak E. Analysis of Perfusion Changes in White and Grey Matter in Parkinson's Patients Treated with Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation. 34th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. September 30 - October 3, 2021, Online." • "Surme MB, Ustun ME. Case of Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency Due to Vertebral Artery Dolichoarteriopathy. NOVA 2022, Kütahya." • "Ustun ME, Surme MB. Can vertebrobasilar insufficiency lead to parkinson like symptoms? EANS 2022, Belgrade." • "Ustun ME, Surme MB. Do vertebral artery stenoses have an atherosclerotic origin? EANS 2022, Belgrade." • "Surme MB, Yilmaz AH, Ustun ME. Could Resistant Urinary Incontinence Be Related to Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency? Our Initial Case Experiences. 31st National Urology Congress. October 27-30, 2022, Cyprus." • "Surme MB, Akgün B, Isci M, Baloglu M, Millet H. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surgical Approaches to Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy on Cervical Spinal Canal Diameter and T2 Signal Intensity. 35th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. November 24 – 27, 2022, Antalya. • Surme MB, Cosar A, Daltaban IS, Ustun ME. Efficacy of a New Surgical Technique for Carotid Artery * "Surme MB, Arikan E, Baloglu M, Millet H, Ercan S. Analysis of Clinical and Radiological Findings in Cases November 24 – 27, 2022, Antalya. • "Surme MB, Cosar A, Ustun ME. Can Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency Cause Parkinson-like Symptoms? 35th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. November 24 – 27, 2022, Antalya. Diagnosed with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hematoma. 35th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. Dolichoarteriopathies in Patients with Moderate Hemiparesis due to Cerebrovascular Ischemic Attacks. 35th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. November 24 – 27, 2022, Antalya." • "Baloglu M, Millet H, Ercan S, Surme MB, Yayla E. The Effect of MCI-186 on Lipid Peroxidation in Rats with Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury. 35th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Congress. November 24 – 27, 2022, Antalya." * "Surme MB, Ustun ME. Can Quantitative ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) Be More Valuable Than Non -Quantitative ECoG? A Preliminary Report. Bridging Neurosciences and Neurosurgery: New Frontiers in Intraoperative Neurophysiology. February 2 – 4, 2023, Verona, Italy

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 Career

2011 – 2015, (Internal Medicine Specialist) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Education and Career

Medicine Department of Internal Medicine

2015 – 2016, (Internal Medicine) Specialist Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2016 – 2019, (Medical Oncology) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

2019 – 2021, (Medical Oncology Specialist) - Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2021 – 2024, (Associate Professor) Marmara University School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

Memberships in Scientific Organizations

ASCO

ESMO

TTOD 

AVOD 

Publications

In the field of oncology, he has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles at both international and national levels.

Awards Received

EAACI The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2019 Best Poster Award

"The top 3rd verbal presentation, IGICC (11th International Gastrointestinal Cancers Conference – IGICC2021)"

Speeches Delivered at National Congresses, Conferences, and Symposia:

Courses, Meetings, and Certificates

ESMO certified Medical Oncologist since 2019

Assoc. Prof. Ozdogan, M.D., Ph.D., completed his education at Yeditepe University Health Sciences Institute in the Molecular Medicine Doctorate Program under Prof. Dr. Turgay İsbir, and he also studied at Saint Louis University in Arkansas, USA, with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yasargil. He pursued a Clinical Fellowship in Brain and Nerve Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospital, guided by Prof. Dr. Yasargil and Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe. Additionally, he underwent specialization training at Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine at Gazi University, and completed his secondary education at İçel Anatolian High School.

Professionally, he has held various positions, including Faculty Member in the Department of Neurosurgery at Haliç University, and Associate Professor at Private Adatip Istanbul Hospital and Biruni University Hospital. He has also served as an Associate Professor at S.B.U. Kartal, Sancaktepe, and Istanbul Training and Research Hospitals, and worked as a Chief Assistant at S.B.U. Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim and Kartal Training and Research Hospitals. His earlier roles include Specialist Doctor at S.B.U. Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Hospital and Mus State Hospital, as well as Clinical Fellow at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine Hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Özdoğan is a member of several professional associations, including the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Turkish Spine Association, and the Turkish Neurosurgery Society’s Neuroanatomy, Neurovascular, and Neurooncology Groups. He is also affiliated with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.