Renowned Chiari Malformation Expert Dr. Paolo Bolognese Joins NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery (NSPC)

Will Direct New Chiari Neurosurgical Center at NSPC

ROCKVILLE, CENTRE, NY – World-renowned Chiari malformation specialist and neurosurgeon Paolo A. Bolognese, M.D., has joined NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery (NSPC) (NSPC) as Director of the new Chiari Neurosurgical Center at NSPC.  Dr. Bolognese joins NSPC from the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Chiari Institute, which he co-founded and where he served as Associate Director.   He is a resident of East Hills, NY.

“Dr. Bolognese is one of the world’s leading authorities on Chiari malformations and related disorders, and recognizing this, his patients come from all 50 states and nearly every continent,” said Michael H. Brisman, M.D., F.A.C.S., CEO, NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery (NSPC) “We are fortunate to have him with us to build a world-class Chiari program at NSPC.”

“It is an honor to join this stellar group of neurosurgeons, whose expertise encompasses so many subspecialties, and to have the Chiari Center join NSPC’s other centers of excellence,” said Dr. Bolognese.  “My team and I look forward to providing the best evidence-based surgical care to those with Chiari and related abnormalities.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, Chiari I malformations are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. Normally the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit in an indented space at the lower rear of the skull, above the foramen magnum (a funnel-like opening to the spinal canal). When part of the cerebellum is located below the foramen magnum, it is called a Chiari malformation.  Chiari malformations may develop when the bony space is smaller than normal, causing the cerebellum and brain stem to be pushed downward into the foramen magnum and into the upper spinal canal. The most common is the Chiari I malformation.

The resulting pressure on the cerebellum and brain stem may affect functions controlled by these areas and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid — the liquid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord—to and from the brain.

Many people with Chiari I malformation are asymptomatic. Others have mild to moderate symptoms and can be treated conservatively. Surgery is reserved for patients with severe symptoms, or in the face of neurological and structural damage.

About Dr. Bolognese
A native of Torino, Italy, Paolo A. Bolognese, M.D., graduated magna cum laude in 1986 from the Medical School of the University of Turin.  In 1990, he completed his neurosurgical training at the same university under the guidance of Professor Victor A. Fasano, an international leader in the field of high-tech applied to neurosurgery.

During this time, Dr. Bolognese became the leading worldwide expert in the field of laser Doppler flowmetry applied to neurosurgery and the top European figure in the field of neurosurgical intraoperative ultrasound.

Upon the death of his former mentor, in 1992 he accepted the invitation of Dr. Thomas H. Milhorat to transfer his laser Doppler research to the United States and to be retrained under Dr. Milhorat at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn. At SUNY at Brooklyn Dr. Bolognese completed his residency in neurosurgery, his fellowship in management of Chiari I Malformation and related disorders, and served as chief resident in neurosurgery.

In August 2001, Dr. Bolognese joined Dr. Milhorat at the Department of Neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, as an Associate Director of the Chiari Center. Along with Dr. Milhorat, he co-founded The Chiari Institute, where he served as Associate Director until August 2014.

Dr. Bolognese’s professional affiliations include the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgery (CNS), American Syringomyelia & Chiari Alliance Project, Inc. (ASAP), and Chiari Syringomyelia Foundation (CSF).

To reach The Chiari Neurosurgical Center at NSPC, or to learn more, visit http://www.chiarinsc.com or call (516) 321-2586.

The Center is located at 1991 Marcus Avenue, Suite 108, Lake Success, NY 11042.