Best Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery neurologists: TOP 90 doctors

Professor Zvi Israel is a renowned neurosurgeon and one of the best doctors in Israel according to Forbes. He is an expert in functional neurosurgery and has extensive experience in the treatment of chronic depression, tinnitus, epilepsy, and motor dysfunction. He is the director of the Functional and Restorative Surgery Unit at Hadassah Medical Center and has authored over 70 articles in neurosurgery. Professor Israel is a member of the Israeli Neurosurgical Society and the Israeli Society for Palliative Medicine.

Education and Expertise

GATA Military Medical Faculty

GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic (Specialization)

Beykent University Hospital and Health Institutions Management (Master's)

Experience

GATA Military Medical Faculty Trainee Doctor (6 months)

Samsun Sahara Medical School Comm. (3 months)

Naval Command War Squadron TCG Diligence Medical Officer (2 years)

Dz.K.K. Submarine Battery Factory Infirmary Doctor (3 months)

Naval Forces Command Infirmary Doctor (3 months)

GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital Chief Assistant (12 years)

Kasımpaşa Marine Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic Chief (5 years)

Bahçelievler Medical Park Hospital Neurosurgery Specialist (11 years)

Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Neurosurgery Lecturer. Member (4 years)

Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Head of Neurosurgery Department. (3 years)

Basic and Advanced Cardiac life support courses (BASIC)

Basic and Advanced Cardiac life support courses (ADVANCED)

GATA Military Medical Faculty. Microsurgery Training Course

Istanbul Vatan Hospital Hand surgery microsurgery course

Neuroanatomy course

Spine Surgery course

Professional Memberships

Turkish Neurosurgery Association

Spine Society of Europe

Turkish Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group

Specialization: Neurospinal Cord and Nerve Surgery

Foreign Language : English

Date of Birth: 03.02.1974

Education :

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine (1991-1997)
Fırat University Neurosurgery Specialization (1999-2004)

Experience:

Private Adatip Hospital (2004-2013)
Private Cihan Hospital (2013-2015)
Private Adatip Hospital (2015-...)

Memberships:

Sakarya Medical Chamber
Turkish Neurosurgery 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.

Certificates

1. The Course of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, 1990, Oulu, Finland.

2. European Course participation that holds by EANS for 5 years cycle (Amsterdam/1988, Rostock/1989, Çeşme/1994, Klagenfurt/1995, Aalborg/1996).

3. "Primary Examination" for European Board was passed in Klagenfurt,1995, Austria.

4."Advanced Training on Functional Disorders with Leksell Gamma Knife", 2004, Marseille, France.

5. "Advanced Training on Vestibular Schwannomas and Skull Base Surgery wiyh Leksell Gamma Knife", 2004, Marseille, France.

6. The certificate for "DISC Nucleoplasty in Cervical and Lumbar Disc Diseases", 2004, Freiburg, Germany.

7. "Neuropathfinder" Train - the - Trainer Meeting, 2009, Wien, Austria.

8. " Neuropathfinder" Train - the - Trainer Meeting, 2011, Athens, Greece.

9. The certificate for "Full- Endoscopic Spine Surgery", 2011, Herne, Germany.

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

Assoc. Prof.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz graduated from Hacettepe University in 2000 as a Medical Doctor.  She completed her specialty training in the Department of Neurology at Ankara University in 2006.

She started her compulsory service in Mardin Nusaybin State Hospital in 2007.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz continued her duty in Gaziantep 27 December State Hospital in 2008.  She worked as a neurologist at Biophysis Nilüfer Medical Center and Ali Osman Sönmez Oncology Hospital in Bursa between 2010-2011, and at Istanbul Universal Aksaray Hospital between 2011-2012. From October 2012, she started to work as a Doctor Lecturer in Istanbul Medipol University Neurology Department.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz received the title of associate professor in 2021.  In 2015, she worked as an Honorary Observer in Parkinson's Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation (Neuromodulation) at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology in London.  She took part in many training programs on Deep Brain Stimulation (Neuromodulation) in Turkey and abroad between 2013-2022.

Regarding her speciality in Parkinson's disease and movement disorders, she has 5 Tubitak projects, a 2-chapter book , 30 clinical researches and 80 reports presented in domestic and abroad. Assoc. Prof. Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, who is still working within the staff of Medipol University, managed the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Unit of the Department of Neurology during her working time and plans Deep Brain Stimulation therapy applications with the neurosurgical team.

Since September 2018, she has been working as a coordinator for student education in the 5th semester of Neurology. As of December 2022, she has developed treatment plans for patients at Medipol University Istanbul Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER) and provides the most appropriate personal medical follow-up and treatment support for each patient.

PUBLICATIONS

1-Yilmaz N, Yigit A, Akbostanci MC. Clozapine induced epilepsy. Revue Neurologique 2004, Nov;160/11:1093.

2-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Nursel Aydın. Sıcak Su Epilepsili Bir Olgu. Türkiye Klinikleri Nöroloji Dergisi 2004/Cilt2/Sayı 2.

3-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Nursel Aydın. Refleks Epilepsiler. Türkiye Klinikleri Nöroloji Dergisi 2004/Cilt2/Sayı 2.

4-Mine Hayriye Sorgun, Bilge Koçer, Funda Kaplan, Nesrin Yılmaz, Nezih Yücemen, Canan Yücesan. Multipl Sklerozda Kraniyal Nöropati. Turk Norol Derg 2011;17:137-142.

5-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Gökçen Duymaz, Mehmet Akif Yaşar. Parkinson Hastalığı Olan Bir Olguda Malign Sendrom. Turk Norol Derg 2012:18;123-125.

6-Yilmaz NH, Akbostanci MC, Oto A, Aykac O. Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Ankara, Turkey: an analysis of diagnostic criteria and awareness. Acta Neurol Belg 2012 Oct 31. [Epub ahead of print].

7-Yılmaz NH, Bingol AP. Sensitivity and specificity of Ankara University Cerebral Dominance Inventory in comparison with the Wada test. Acta Neurol Belg 2013 Jun 6 [Epub ahead of print].

8-Sema Demirci, Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Efsun Şenocak, Fatih Han Bölükbaşı. Pons Kavernomu: Kranial Manyetik Rezonans Görüntüleme Bulguları. Turk Norol Derg 2012:19:72.

9-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Sinem Atik Güngör, Taflan Sahlepçi. Küçük hücreli akciğer kanseri tedavisinde cisplatin kullanımı sırasında gelişen akut iskemik inme: olgu sunumu. J Kartal TR. Baskıdaki Makaleler: KEAH-26937.

POSTERLER:

-Serebral venöz tromboz ve bruselloz Birlikteliği; Olgu Sunumu (42. Ulusal Nöroloji Kongresi-Antalya 2006)

-Waldenström makroglobulinemisine eşlik eden epileptik nöbetler ve nonkonvülsif status epileptikus (42. Ulusal Nöroloji Kongresi-Antalya 2006)

-Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome in Ankara, Turkey (16. Uluslararası Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Dublin 2012).

-Konjenital Miyastenik Sendrom (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-Beşinci haftada duyusal iletimleri normal olan bir enjeksiyon nöropatisi olgusu (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-Olgu sunumu: Mononöritis mültipleks ve lepra (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-İdyopatik Parkinson Hastalığı’nda hızlanmış unutma ve uyku kalitesi (10. Ulusal Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Antalya 2013).

-Hiperglisemiye bağlı hemikore ve bazal gangliyon hiperintensitesi: Olgu sunumu (10. Ulusal Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Antalya 2013).

General Information and Presentation

He completed his primary education at Şenlikköy Primary School and his secondary education at the Istek Foundation Florya Bilge Kagan High School. He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2001. He completed his specialist education in Istanbul Medical Faculty Neurology Department in 2006. In 2006 he worked at the Neurology Clinic and the PharmaZentrum Research Center of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Basel, Switzerland. Between 2007 and 2011, Bakırköy Prof. Dr. He worked at Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital in the 3rd Neurology Clinic and in the Dementia and Movement Disorders policlinics. Since October 2011, he has been working at Istanbul University of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Neurology, USA.

Experience

İstanbul Bilim University Faculty of Medicine Neurology, 

Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital 

Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital Neurology Clinics, 

Gayrettepe Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital PET department.

Neurosurgery Training: Gazi University, Department of Neurosurgery, 2011 

H index: 10, I10 Index: 12 Citations: 296

 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

• * MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

 • Gamma Knife Radiosurgery 

• Surgery for pain & spasticity 

• Psychosurgery

Research areas of interest: 

• Deep brain stimulation

• * MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

 • Stereotactic radiosurgery 

Administrative duties:

 • Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Sterotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Section: Board member 2015- 2017 

• Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Sterotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Section: Board member (Secretary) 2017-2019

 • Turkish Skull Base Society: Board member 2016-2018

 • Turkish Skull Base Society: Supervisory board member 2018-2020

 • Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders Surgery Society: Executive Board Member, (Accountant) 2023-still 

Memberships: 

• WSSFN (World Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Society) 

• ESSFN (European Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Society)

 • Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders Surgery Society

 • Deep Brain Stimulation Society 

• International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society 

• Leksell Gamma Knife Society 

• EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) 

• Turkish Neurosurgical Society

• Turkish Skull Base Society

Sample Publications: 

1. Tonge M. Technological developments in electric based DBS. Deep Brain Stimulation 2024 4(36-41) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdbs.2023.12.001 

2. Akgul E, Onan HB, Islek I, Tonge M, Durmus Y, Barburoglu M, Azizova A, Erol C, Hakyemez B, Sencer S, Aydin K, Arat A. Flow diverter stents in the treatment of recanalized intracranial aneurysms. Interv Neuroradiol. 2021 Aug;27(4):481-489. doi: 10.1177/1591019921990507. Epub 2021 Jan 28. PMID: 33509011; PMCID: PMC8580529. 

3. Mulders AEP, Temel Y, Tonge M, Schaper FLWVJ, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V,Ackermans L, Kubben P, Janssen MLF, Duits A. The association between surgical characteristics and cognitive decline following deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 Jan;200:106341. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106341. Epub 2020 Nov 3. PMID: 33160716. 

4. Wetzelaer P, Vlis T, Tonge M, Ackermans L, Kubben P, Evers S, Kocabicak E, Temel Y. Management of Hardware Related Infections after DBS Surgery: A Cost Analysis. Turk Neurosurg. 2018;28(6):929- 933. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.21511-17.1. PMID: 29465741. 

5. Bedirli N, Emmez G, Ünal Y, Tönge M, Emmez H. Effects of positive end- expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure during pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position in a porcine mode. Turk J Med Sci. 2017 Nov 13;47(5):1610-1615. doi: 10.3906/sag-1609-17. PMID: 29152942. 

6. Sari R, Tonge M, Bolukbasi FH, Onoz M, Baskan O, Silav G, Elmaci I. Management of Failed Cranioplasty. Turk Neurosurg. 2017;27(2):201-207. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.15395-15.0. PMID: 27593759. 

7. Tonge M, Kocabicak E, Ackermans L, Kuijf M, Temel Y. Final Electrode Position in Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Comparison of Indirect and Direct Targeting Methods. Turk Neurosurg. 2016;26(6):900-903. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.13739-14.1. PMID: 27337232. 

8. Tonge M, Ackermans L, Kocabicak E, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V, Kuijf M, Oosterloo M, Kubben P, Temel Y. A detailed analysis of intracerebral hemorrhages in DBS surgeries. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2015 Dec;139:183-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.10.017. Epub 2015 Oct 23. PMID: 26513430. 

9. Silav G, Bölükbaşı FH, Özek E, Tönge M, Önöz M, Elmacı İ. A Simple Technique for Bone Storage after Decompressive Craniectomy in Children. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2015;50(3):161-4. doi: 10.1159/000381748. Epub 2015 May 14. PMID: 25998533. 

10. Yilmaz MB, Donmez H, Tonge M, Senol S, Tekiner A. Vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm formation due to penetrating vertebral artery injury: case report and review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2015;25(1):141-5. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.8247-13.1. PMID: 25640560. 

11. Kurt G, Tönge M, Çeltıkçı E, Çapraz I, Serdaroğlu A, Bılır E. Surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy: experience of a single institution. Turk J Med Sci. 2014;44(5):866-70. doi: 10.3906/sag-1307- 30. PMID: 25539559. 

12. Yılmaz MB, Tönge M, Emmez H, Kaymaz F, Kaymaz M. Neuroprotective effects of quetiapine on neuronal apoptosis following experimental transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2013 Jul;54(1):1-7. doi: 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.1.1. Epub 2013 Jul 31. PMID: 24044072; PMCID: PMC3772279. 

13. Yilmaz MB, Egemen E, Tonge M, Kaymaz M. Transoral protrusion of a peritoneal catheter due to gastric perforation 10 years after a ventriculoperitoneal shunting: case report and review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2013;23(2):285-8. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.4904-11.1. PMID: 23546921. 

14. Omerhodzic I, Tonge M, Matos B, Musabeliu E, Raspanti C, Ferdinandov D, Galimova R, Muroi C, Balik V, Kursumovic A. Neurosurgical training programme in selected European countries: from the young neurosurgeons' point of view. Turk Neurosurg. 2012;22(3):286-93. doi: 10.5137/1019- 5149.JTN.5133-11.0. PMID: 22664994. 

15. Ergun E, Kurt G, Tonge M, Aytar H, Tas M, Baykaner K, Ceviker N. Effects of phenytoin sodium on dura mater healing in a rat model of CSF leakage. Turk Neurosurg. 2011;21(4):471-6. PMID: 22194102. 

16. Emmez H, Tonge M, Tokgoz N, Durdag E, Gonul I, Cevıker N. Radiological and histopathological comparison of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres and oxidized regenerated cellulose in the rabbit brain: a study of efficacy and safety. Turk Neurosurg. 2010 Oct;20(4):485-91. doi: 10.5137/1019- 5149.JTN.3300-10.2. PMID: 20963698. 

17. Emmez H, Yildirim Z, Kale A, Tönge M, Durdağ E, Börcek AO, Uçankuş LN, Doğulu F, Kiliç N, Baykaner MK. Anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of α-lipoic acid on spinal cord ischemiareperfusion injury in rabbits. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2010 Sep;152(9):1591-600; discussion 1600-1. doi: 10.1007/s00701-010-0703-9. Epub 2010 Jun 10. PMID: 20535507. 

18. Kurt G, Tonge M, Börcek AO, Karahacioglu E, Gurel O, Baykaner K, Ceviker N, Aykol S. Fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery for optic nerve tumors: a technical report. Turk Neurosurg. 2010 Apr;20(2):241-6. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.1681-09.3. PMID: 20401852. 

19. Emmez H, Kale A, Tönge M, Cakir A, Ceviker N. Two meningiomas with different histological grades in the same patient. Case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2010;50(8):686-8. doi: 10.2176/nmc.50.686. PMID: 20805656.