Prof. Selçuk Palaoğlu, MD

Prof. Selçuk Palaoğlu, MD is a neurosurgeon at Acibadem Ankara Hospital in Ankara, where he works in the Neurosurgery unit. His practice covers spinal health and the treatment of pituitary diseases, together with the surgical management of selected brain tumors and other intracranial conditions. He has more than 48 years in medicine and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2014.

Dr. Palaoğlu graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1978 and worked at the Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine Nöroşirürji Department in 1978–1979. He completed his training in brain and nerve surgery at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1984. He then completed his military service at Gülhane Military Medical Academy (1984–1986), worked at Çankırı Devlet Hospital in 1986 and at Ankara Numune Hospital from 1986 to 1988, and served as a Research Assistant at the Hacettepe University Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences from 1988 to 1991. His academic appointments at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine progressed from Assistant Associate Professor (1991–1994) to Associate Professor (1994–1997) and Professor (1997). In 1998 he was a Visiting Professor at the University of Tennessee Memphis Neuroscience Center. He has served as Head of the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, and as a member of the Hacettepe University Senate and the Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee. His professional affiliations include the Türk Nöroşirürji Association Yönetim Kurulu, the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi, Honorary Board Membership of the Turkish Spine Association and Program Committee Membership of the Eurospine Association.

Clinical focus

Dr. Palaoğlu’s spinal practice addresses lumbar spinal canal stenosis, cervical spinal canal stenosis and reduced lumbar lordosis. Where stabilization of the spine is being considered, his areas of expertise include spinal fusion surgery. Not every patient with spinal narrowing or altered spinal alignment requires an operation; the choice between conservative care and surgery depends on the individual’s symptoms, imaging findings and overall health.

In cranial neurosurgery, his areas of expertise include meningioma, gliomas, hematoma and arachnoid cyst, as well as pituitary disorder treatment. Assessment of these conditions generally involves a review of imaging and, where relevant, laboratory findings before discussing whether observation, medical management or surgery is appropriate for the individual patient.

How Dr. Palaoğlu works with international patients

Dr. Palaoğlu consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for other languages. The Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as MRI, CT or X-ray reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their case before deciding whether to travel.