High-grade glioma
"I arrived with a glioma I had been told was inoperable. Here they reviewed it at the tumour board and offered me a plan. The surgery was a success. Four years on, I am well."
Brain Neurosurgery · International
Brain Neurosurgery
Microsurgery, 4K/3D neuronavigation and a remote second opinion within 24–48 hours. We review every case at a multidisciplinary board in order to treat the disease while protecting every millimetre of healthy tissue.
What it is
Precision Brain Neurosurgery: beyond treating a lesion
When a patient receives a diagnosis that involves brain surgery, the most important question is not whether to operate, but how to operate. The brain neurosurgery we practise in our unit starts from one principle: to treat the lesion without compromising the patient's neurological functions · speech, movement, memory, personality.
To achieve this, we work with two broad approaches:
- Brain microsurgery: surgery through a minimal cranial opening, with 4K/3D optical magnification that allows us to work on structures a millimetre in size.
- Minimally invasive and endoscopic approaches: in many cases we operate through the nasal passages or a small burr hole · no external scars, faster recovery and less risk of damage to healthy tissue.
"Brain neurosurgery today is not only about treating a lesion, but about mapping and protecting every millimetre of healthy tissue using high-definition technology."
Technology
Surgical Protocols and Precision Technology
Every case is planned with the set of tools that maximises safety and disease control.
Neuronavigation
The surgeon's brain GPS. It matches the MRI images to the patient's actual anatomy in real time, with millimetre accuracy.
Neurophysiological Monitoring
It assesses the integrity of the motor, sensory and language pathways in real time during surgery. Any change is detected within tenths of a second.
4K/3D Microscopy
High-resolution three-dimensional vision of the operative field. The difference is comparable to a topographic map versus a flat photograph.
Neuroendoscopy
For pituitary tumours, hydrocephalus and intraventricular cysts: we operate through the nose or a minimal burr hole. No external scars.
Conditions
What conditions does brain neurosurgery treat?
These are the conditions we treat most frequently in our unit.
Condition
Surgical approach
Link
Gliomas (low and high grade)
Microsurgical resection with neuronavigation and monitoring. Awake surgery in eloquent areas.
Meningiomas
Total or partial resection depending on location. 4K/3D microscopy to preserve adjacent vascular and neural structures.
Acoustic neuromas
Skull base microsurgery preserving the facial nerve and, in selected tumours, hearing.
Aneurysms and vascular malformations
Microsurgical clipping or coordination with the endovascular team depending on morphology and location.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Microvascular decompression (Jannetta procedure). Success rate above 85% in refractory chronic pain.
Movement disorders
Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, ataxia and others. Multidisciplinary assessment and treatment with DBS, HIFU or botulinum toxin depending on the case.
Hydrocephalus
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or ventriculoperitoneal shunt depending on the type and cause.
Refractory epilepsy
Functional surgery to resect the epileptogenic focus. Prior work-up with intracranial EEG and ictal SPECT.
Pituitary tumours
Endoscopic transnasal surgery. No external incision. Discharge usually within 72 hours.
Clinical cases
How we work: real cases
All data have been anonymised to protect patient privacy.
01
Diagnosis
Woman, 47 years old. Pituitary macroadenoma compressing the optic chiasm. Bilateral loss of the outer visual field over six months.
Procedure
Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach. No external incision. Duration: 3 hours.
Outcome
Visual field recovery of 85% within the first 6 weeks. Discharged from hospital within 72 hours.
02
Diagnosis
Man, 61 years old. A 4 cm meningioma adjacent to the primary motor cortex. Progressive weakness in the right arm.
Procedure
Craniotomy with neuronavigation and continuous neurophysiological monitoring of the motor pathways. Complete resection (Simpson I).
Outcome
Motor function preserved at 100%. Discharged after 4 days. No recurrence at 18 months.
03
Diagnosis
Man, 38 years old. Low-grade glioma diagnosed in Mexico. Surgery had been indicated. He requested a second opinion before going ahead.
Procedure
DICOM files reviewed within 48 hours. An alternative surgical plan was proposed. The patient travelled for the procedure (8 days in total). Awake surgery.
Outcome
95% tumour resection with complete preservation of language. Postoperative follow-up by video call from Mexico.
International patients
Why patients choose us from Spain and Latin America
Many of our patients come from Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela. We know that arranging surgery in another country creates uncertainty. That is why we have designed a process that makes it as simple as possible.
Remote Second Opinion within 24–48h
Send us your scans in DICOM or JPEG format. Our team reviews them at the board and gives you a medical answer within 48 working hours.
Everything within one week
Additional tests, in-person consultation and surgery in a single stay of 5 to 8 days. We coordinate all the timings with the hospital.
Digital Postoperative Follow-up
Once back in your country, follow-up takes place by video call with the same surgeon who operated on you. You never lose track of your recovery.
End-to-end Coordination
Our team advises you on accommodation, paperwork and hospital arrangements. You do not have to sort anything out on your own.
Frequently asked questions
What patients ask us most about brain surgery
How long is the hospital stay after brain surgery?
It depends on the type of procedure. Convexity meningiomas and gliomas usually require 3–5 days. Endoscopic transnasal surgery (pituitary) is resolved in 2–3 days. Skull base procedures may extend to 7–10 days. We will give you a precise estimate once we have reviewed your case.
Can I fly after brain surgery?
We recommend waiting at least 2–4 weeks before long-haul flights. Cabin pressure changes are not the main risk, but deep vein thrombosis in the immediate postoperative period is. Your neurosurgeon will tell you when it is safe, based on your recovery.
What are the real risks of brain surgery?
This deserves an honest answer. The main risks are: infection (< 2% with prophylaxis), postoperative bleeding (1–3%), transient neurological deficit (recovering over weeks or months) and, far less frequently, permanent deficit. The actual incidence depends on the location, the approach and the experience of the team. At our board, every case is planned to minimise these risks before we enter theatre.
Do I need to shave my head for brain surgery?
Not always. In most cases we shave only the incision area, which may be just a few centimetres. For endoscopic transnasal surgery the hair is not touched at all.
Can a brain tumour be treated without surgery?
Yes, in some cases. Depending on the type, size and location of the tumour, there are alternatives such as stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife, CyberKnife) or active surveillance with periodic MRI scans. Our board always assesses every option before recommending surgery, and we explain them to you clearly.
Subspecialties
Areas of brain surgery
Each subspecialty has a dedicated team and specific protocols.
Gliomas and Intra-axial Tumours
Neuronavigation, awake surgery and continuous neurophysiological monitoring.
See specialty →Meningiomas
Complete microsurgical resection of extra-axial tumours with lower recurrence rates.
See specialty →Acoustic Neuromas
Skull base microsurgery preserving hearing and facial function.
See specialty →Functional Neurosurgery
Refractory epilepsy, movement disorders and trigeminal neuralgia.
See specialty →Hydrocephalus and Chiari
Latest-generation shunts and endoscopic third ventriculostomy.
See specialty →Cerebral Vascular Surgery
Aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. Microsurgical clipping or endovascular treatment.
See specialty →
Our clinic
Where we welcome you
We operate at Hospital El Pilar, Quironsalud Aribau, Barnaclínic+ and Clínica Olivé Gumà, in Barcelona. The clinic is designed so that your first contact is calm, transparent and technical. You are seen by dedicated clinical staff, we review your scans (MRI, CT, reports) with you and we explain the options unhurriedly, never more than one patient in the room at a time, never any rush.
- Second opinion within 24-48h, with a written report if you wish.
- Assessment using your MRI/CT: we review the images with you on screen.
- Personalised treatment plan: conservative, minimally invasive or surgical, based on your actual case, not a protocol.
Patient reviews
What our patients say
Cervical disc herniation
"For years I had a cervical disc herniation, operated on by another team with no improvement. Minimally invasive surgery gave me back my mobility and took the pain away."
International patient
"I travelled from outside Spain. The team reviewed my case before I came and gave me a clear plan. Caring people and impeccable technique."
Request information
Do you have a brain diagnosis you would like reviewed?
Send us your MRI scans or reports and our team will reply within 24–48h. With no obligation.