Patient Information
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects of the circulatory system that are generally believed to arise during embryonic or fetal development or soon after birth. AVMs can develop in many different sites, those located in the brain or spinal cord can have especially widespread effects on the body. Seizures and headaches are the most generalized symptoms. AVMs also can cause a wide range of more specific neurological symptoms that vary from person to person, depending primarily upon the location of the AVM. For more information, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke web site on AVM.
Our physicians
To find a St. John Health neurosciences physician who treats AVM, click on a name below.
Ryan J. Barrett, DO
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital
Dr. Barrett subspecializes in surgical neuro-oncology. Dr. Barrett's training in surgical neuro-oncology has provided proficiency in the latest technologies involved in the treatment of oncologic conditions affecting the nervous system. Dr. Barrett is also proficient in treating general neurosurgical conditions involving both the brain and the spine, including an extensive experience in complex spine surgery. The mission of his practice is to provide patients with superior neurosurgical care. Dr. Barrett believes in working with the patient's preference and lifestyle along with involving the family in the decision making process.
Norman M. Burns, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. Norman Burns received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, medical degree from Ross University and neurology training at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Burns underwent additional fellowship training in Neurodiagnostic Medicine, including EEG/Epilepsy, EMG/Neuromuscular Disease and Sleep Medicine..
Fernando G. Diaz, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital, St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Diaz is recognized world wide for his treatment of brain aneurysms and vascular disease of the head and neck. He is one of only several neurosurgeons in Michigan skilled in radiosurgery using the advanced technology Gamma Knife radiosurgery for the treatment of tumors and other abnormalities. Dr. Diaz was recently listed among the best surgeons in the United States. He is a frequent speaker to audiences around the world on advanced neurosurgical procedures and treatments. Specialties include, Aneurysms, Stroke, Microsurgery, Cervical spine reconstruction,
Cerebrovascular surgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, Artificial disc replacement.
Prior appointments include: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instructor, Anatomy; University of Kansas, Instructor, Neuroanatomy; Henry Ford Hospital, Staff Neurosurgeon; University of Michigan, Clinical Associate Professor; Neuroscience Institute of Santa Fe, Gainesville, Florida,
Chairman.
Dr. Diaz's military service includes: US Air Force, National Neurosurgical Consultant; Lackland Air Force Base, Operation Desert Storm, Wilford Hall Medical Center Neurosurgery;
US Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel, Willford Hall Medical Center.
Dr. Diaz was recognized by his peers as one of Metro Detroit's most respected neurological surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine's annual "Top Docs" rankings in 2008.
Daniel P. Elskens, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Elskens is a board certified neurosurgeon and has special interests in back and neck pain, pinched nerves, ruptured disks, brain tumors and surgical stroke management. He is part of the Eastside Neurosurgery physician group and has been in practice since 1992. Dr. Elskens is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his surgical training at Henry Ford Hospital. He is a member of the American Associate of Neurosurgeons. In 2004 and 2008, Dr. Elskens was named by his peers as one of metro Detroit's top neurological surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine's "Top Docs" survey.
Richard D. Fessler, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital, St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Fessler is a Neurosurgeon, MHSI Michigan Head & Spine Institute, PC, and Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Fessler attended medical school at the University of Michigan and was trained in neurological surgery at Wayne State University. He obtained additional specialty training in cerebrovascular surgery in Japan and has completed a two year fellowship in neuroendovascular surgery.
His other area of specialty is in minimally invasive surgery of the spine utilizing endoscopy and percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Dr. Fessler is author of numerous book chapters and publications.
Specialties include: Endovascular surgery; Cerebrovascular surgery; Spinal endoscopic surgery; Minimally invasive surgery;
Vertebroplasty; Adult spasticity; General neurosurgery.
Thomas Giancarlo, DO
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Giancarlo specializes in sleep disorders, stroke, pain management, acupuncture and nerve disease. Dr. Giancarlo served as Chief of the Department of Neurology at St. John Hospital and Medical Center from 1990-2000. He is multi-board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with added qualifications in Clinical Neuropsychology, the American Board of Sleep Disorders Medicine, the American Board of Neuropsychiatry, the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and is also certified by the American Society of Neuroimaging. In 2004, Dr. Giancarlo was named, on two separate occasions, by his peers as one of metro Detroit's top neurologists in Hour Detroit magazine's "Top Docs" survey.
Devon A. Hoover, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Hoover is a board-certified neurosurgeon and has special interests in the treatment of neck and back disorders. He completed his medical training at Indiana University School of Medicine, and his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He also completed fellowships, one in peripheral nerve surgery at Louisiana State University School of Medicine with Dr. David Kline, and one in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children's Hospital of Michigan with pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Alexa Canady.
Dr. Hoover was recognized by his peers as one of Metro Detroit's most respected neurological surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine's annual "Top Docs" rankings in 2008.
Alicia G. Lumley, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital
Vittorio M. Morreale, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Morreale is a board certified neurosurgeon with a special interest in complex spine disorders, brain and spinal tumors, Parkinson's disease, and cerebrovascular surgery. He was one of the first neurosurgeons in the state of Michigan trained to perform a surgical technique known as deep brain stimulation. This procedure is an option for some patients suffering from Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders. Dr. Morreale attended George Washington School of Medicine and completed his training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2004 and 2008, Dr. Morreale was named by his peers as one of the area's top neurological surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine's "Top Docs" survey.
Saraswati A. Muttal, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Miguelangelo J. Perez-Cruet, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. Perez-Cruet is a board-certified neurosurgeon and member of MHSI. His special interest and subspecialty training is in the minimally-invasive treatment of spinal disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Dr. Perez-Cruet is also highly skilled in minimally-invasive spinal fusion, treatment of compression fractures, oncologic and degenerative spine conditions and other complex spinal disorders. He also offers treatment for basic neurosurgery in addition to minimally invasive spine surgery. His national medical educational programs include "Gray Matter, A Neurosurgical Overview", now available on the web, and "Neurosurgical Reference Card", which was recently distributed to all second year medical students in the United States.
Daniel R. Pieper, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
A board certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Pieper is experienced in treating adult and pediatric patients with a broad range of neurological disorders. With expertise in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery, patients are treated with state of the art techniques including endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms and radiosurgery for the treatment of some tumors and brain vascular malformations. Dr. Pieper provides the neurosurgical expertise for the largest multi-disciplinary surgical group in Michigan specializing in acoustic tumors and craniofacial surgery.
Dr. Pieper is a member fo the Michigan Head and Spine Institute (MHSI) of southeast Michigan. He is director of cerebrovascular and skull base surgery at MHSI. Dr. Pieper was recognized by his peers as one of Metro Detroit's most respected neurological surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine's annual "Top Docs" rankings in 2008.
Bruce M. Silverman, DO
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. Bruce Silverman is one of the co-founders of Associates in Neurology. Dr. Silverman focuses on Medical Neurology, Electrodiagnostics: EMG, EEG, Evoked potentials, Carotid Ultrasonography and Botox Therapy. Dr. Silverman received his medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA. He completed his Internship and training in Internal Medicine as well as his Residency in Neurology at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills. Dr. Silverman is the current acting chairman of the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, Michigan Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. He is affiliated with Associates in Neurology P.C.
Dr. Silverman was recognized by his peers as one of Metro Detroit's most respected neurologists in Hour Detroit magazine's annual "Top Docs" rankings in 2008.
Teck-Mun Soo, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital
Dr. Soo is the current Section Chief of Neurosurgery at Providence Hospital. Dr. Soo underwent neurosurgical residency and neurosurgical spine fellowships at the University of Toronto. Dr. Soo was a faculty member at the University of Toronto, Neurosurgical Department before he joined Providence Hospital in 1999. Currently, Dr. Soo is an assistant clinical professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Soo subspecializes in complex spinal surgery especially revision spine surgery for failed previous spinal surgery. He takes a conservative approach toward the treatment of neurosurgical spinal disorders. Patients are encouraged to fully explore conservative treatment before undergoing surgery. Dr. Soo believes in family involvement and the integration of family support in a patient's care and recovery. Dr. Soo had been selected one of the nation's top doctors by an independent voting agency "Guide to Top Doctors" every year since 2002. He has also been voted a Top Doc by Hour Detroit Magazine 2003-2008.
His practice is a multi-disciplinary group of Neurosurgical and Orthopedic Spine Specialists, taking the advantage of the different approaches of two specialties. The spine conditions we manage include degenerative, trauma, infection, tumor, inflammatory and deformity - adult and pediatric. Our comprehensive spine expertise includes extensive adult spine revisions, pediatric scoliosis reconstruction and minimally invasive percutaneous surgery. Apart from surgical and clinical excellence, we pursue an evidence-based practice with a commitment to patient education, out come research and customer satisfaction.
Richard S. Veyna, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Veyna is a board-eligible neurosurgeon who received a Bachelor of Science Degree at Baylor University, Waco, TX. He attended the University of Texas, School of Medicine at Houston, followed by a Neurosurgery Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Veyna has a special interest in spinal disorders and instrumentation, minimally invasive surgery, surgical treatment of aneurysms, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease, brachial plexus and peripheral nerve tumors. Dr Veyna established a leading regional deep brain stimulation program in Minnesota performing dozens of implants for Parkinson's Disease and Essential tremor disorder. Working with closely with neurologists and therapists, Dr Veyna was instrumental in creating on of the leading Deep Brain Stimulation programs in the Midwest.
