Assoc. Prof. Dr. Talat Cem Ovalıoğlu

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Talat Cem Ovalıoğlu is a neurosurgeon in the Neurosurgery unit at Acibadem Bakirkoy Hospital in İstanbul. His subspecialty is the treatment of pituitary diseases, and his practice covers a range of brain and spine conditions, including brain aneurysms, brain tumors, epilepsy surgery, spinal tumors and spinal deformities. He has more than 35 years in medicine and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2026.

Dr. Ovalıoğlu graduated from İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1991. He held research assistant positions in orthopedics and traumatology at İstanbul Bilim University in 2001, and in neurosurgery at Istanbul University and Ankara University between 2003 and 2004 and again at Istanbul University in 2009–2010. His neurosurgery training in 2005 included Ord. Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital. From 2012 to 2014 he completed research appointments in the United States at Harvard Medical School, first at Massachusetts General Hospital and then at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, followed by the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He has worked as a neurosurgery specialist in İstanbul since 2005, at İstanbul Şafak Hospital (2005–2007), Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital (2007–2008), Bezm-i Alem Vakıf Gureba Training and Research Hospital (2008–2010) and, from 2010, Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital. He is a member of the Türk Nöroşirürji Association (TND), the Nervous System Surgery Association (SSCD) and the Turkish Medical Association (TTB).

Clinical focus

In cranial neurosurgery, Dr. Ovalıoğlu treats brain aneurysms and brain tumors, including deep-seated brain tumors, and provides epilepsy surgery for suitable patients. A particular area of his work is the treatment of pituitary diseases, which sits at the intersection of neurosurgery and endocrine care and is planned according to each patient’s diagnosis and findings.

His spine surgery practice includes spinal cord and spine tumors, disc herniation, and the assessment of neck, back and low-back pain. He also treats spinal deformities, including kyphosis and scoliosis. Whether a surgical or a non-surgical approach is appropriate depends on the individual case, and this is discussed with the patient after a review of the clinical picture and imaging.

How Dr. Ovalıoğlu works with international patients

Dr. Ovalıoğlu 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, arranges appointments and organises 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 available options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to have an initial review or to discuss their case before traveling to İstanbul.