Yes, in selected cases. Pediatric epilepsy surgery involves careful imaging and neuro-mapping to identify seizure foci and remove or disconnect them.
Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
HOD & Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon
MBBS, DNB (Neurosurgery), Fellowship Pediatric Neurosurgery (Japan) , Fellowship Spinal / Functional neurosurgery / Microneurosurgery ( Australia)
About Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
Dr. Nigel P Symss is an Indian trained and educated Neurosurgeon with multiple international fellowships, and Over 2 decades of experience in cranial and spinal surgery. He has worked as consultant neurosurgeon at prestigious neurosurgical centres in Chennai. He specialised in transcallosal approach to colloid cysts and ventricular tumours in the brain, and has many publications on colloid cysts. He has done extensive research on hydrocephalus, shunt systems, and is a member of“Hydrocephalus Research World Record Ranking Committee”. He has performed close to 8000 neurosurgical procedures post qualification, both cranial and spinal in adults and children successfully.
Dr. Nigel Symss specializes in advanced Functional Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Skull Base Surgery, Hydrocephalus Management, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Complex Spinal Surgery. He is widely recognized for pioneering work on colloid cysts and ventricular tumors, with extensive research and international fellowships enriching his practice. He has trained under globally renowned mentors in Japan and Australia and has implemented cutting-edge techniques like neuronavigation and minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries. With a strong academic background, numerous global presentations, and editorial roles in leading journals, Dr. Symss bridges clinical expertise and research excellence to offer patient-centric neurosurgical care of the highest standard.
Dr. Nigel Peter Symss's Areas of expertise
- Functional Neurosurgery - Advanced surgical procedures to treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, tremors, and dystonia for improved quality of life.
- Brain Tumors - Comprehensive care for diagnosing and surgically removing benign and malignant brain tumors with a focus on precision and safety.
- Skull Base Surgery - Specialized techniques to access and treat complex tumors and lesions located at the base of the skull.
- Cerebrovascular Surgery - Surgical treatment of blood vessel disorders in the brain, including aneurysms, AVMs, and strokes.
- Microvascular Decompression - A delicate procedure to relieve nerve compression causing trigeminal neuralgia or facial spasms.
- Vascular Malformations & Degenerative Spine - Management of abnormal blood vessel formations and surgical treatment for degenerative conditions of the spine.
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Emergency and planned surgeries to manage brain injuries and restore neurological function after trauma.
- Neuro Endoscopy - Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures to treat conditions like hydrocephalus and certain brain tumors.
- CSF Diversions - Surgical placement of shunts or endoscopic techniques to manage excess cerebrospinal fluid and relieve pressure on the brain.
- Epilepsy Surgery- Advanced surgical procedures to control seizures in patients whose epilepsy does not respond to medications.
- Glioblastoma multiforme occurring in a child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia . Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences Vol-1, Issue 2, July-December 2006
- Suprasellar epidermoid presenting with precocious puberty. A case report. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. Vol-2; Issue: 2, Page 75-78, 2007
- Exophytic choroid plexus papilloma of the fourth ventricle presenting with CSF rhinorrhoea. A case report.Surgical Neurology,71(2009) 705-708.
- Intracranial haemangioendothelioma. A case report and review of the literature. Childs Nervous System. 2008, 24: pages 863-868.
- Extradural with intradural-extramedullary and intramedullary tuberculoma of the spine without bony involvement. A rare case report and review of the literature.” Pan Arab Journal of Neurosurgery, Vol 14, No 2, 108-111, 2010.
- Theories of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and hydrocephalus: Historical trend. Journal of Neurosurgery( Pediatric).
- Intracranial Rosai Dorfmans Disease. Report of three cases and literature review.AsianJournalof Neurosurgery, 2010;11:19-30.
- Multiple burr hole surgery for the treatment of Pediatric Moya Moya diasease. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences. July-Dec/Vol 5.
- A giant syringobulbia associated with cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst and hydrocephalus. A case report. Journal of Neurosurgery(Pediatrics). July issue.
- Management outcome of the transcallosal transforaminal approach to colloid cysts of the anterior thirdventricle: 20 years experience. Published in Neurology India. July issue. 2012.
- .Dislodged cervical plate and screw . A case report and literature review. Accepted to the Pan Arab Journal, July to Oct 2012.
- Extra axial adult cerebellopontine angle medulloblastoma: An extremely rare site of tumor with metastasis. Surg Neurol Int. 2011; 2: 25.
- Malignant Course of a Metastatic Melanoma During Pregnancy: A Case Report. World Journal Oncology, Vol. 2, No. 2, Apr 2011.
- Paediatric Colloid Cyst- analysis of five cases. Journal of Paediatric Neurosciences. Year : 2012 | Volume : 7 | Issue : 2 | Page : 90-95
- Extra-axial cerebello pontine angle medulloblastoma: A rare site of tumor. Indian journal of medical and Paediatric oncology : Official Journal of Indian Society of Medical & Paediatric Oncology 04/2011; 32(2):123-4.
- Pediatric multifocal glioblastoma multiforme with fulminant course : published in "Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice". 3(2):174-7, May 2012.
- Complication avoidance in transcallosal approach to Colloid cyst of the Anterior third ventricle. Accepted for publication: Asian Journal of Neurosurgery.
- Primary intrasellar schwannoma. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience . Volume 19, Issue 11 , Pages 1584-1585 , November 2012
- ntellectual Development and Super-High Intelligence/ Development Quotient in Hydrocephalus Patients. Journal of Hydrocephalus, Vol 4,No 1, pg 1-9, 2012.
- Management of Pediatric Intracranial Meningiomas: an analysis of 31 cases and review of literature. Childs Nervous System. 01/2013.
- Primary spinal intradural extramedullary lymphoma causing cauda equina syndrome. Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine. Year :2012 | Volume : 3 | Issue : 2 | Page : 58-61
- Isolated skull base primary Ewings sarcoma. Journal of Cancer research and therapeutics 9(4): 741-2.
- “Is there an ideal shunt ? A panoramatic view of 110 years in CSF diversions and shunt systems used for the treatment of hydrocephalus: from historical events to current trends. Childs Nervous System.
- Aneurysmal bone cyst of the lumbar spine.
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery, Vol 10, Issue 3, July-September 2015 Phaeohyphomycosis and role of internal transcribed spacer Year : 2021 | Volume : 23 | Issue : 2 | Page : 51-58 Journal of The Academy of Clinical Microbiologists
- Text book publications:
Co-Author of 2 chapters in the Text Book of Operative Neuro Surgery Editors: Ravi Ramamurthi, K Sridhar, M. C. Vasudevan
Chapters:
1) Surgical Anatomy of Tentorial Hiatus
2) Surgical Anatomy and Embryology of the Craniovertebral Junction.- Co-Author of 13 chapters in the Text Book of Neurosurgery; Third edition.
Editors: P N Tandon, Ravi Ramamurthi.
Chapters:
1) Colloid cyst
2) Haemangioblastoma
3) Benign intracranial hypertension
4) Olfactory groove meningiomas
5) Suprasellar meningiomas.
6) Oligodendrogliomas.
7) Cerebral contusion.
8) Thoracic disc disease.
9) ICP monitoring.
10) Pain management
11) Traumatic Intracerebral Hematomas.
12) Phakomatoses.
13) Dural AVM. - Author of three chapters in Contemporary Neurosurgery
Editor: Vincent Tamburaj. Chapters:
1) Neurocysticercosis.
2) Colloid cyst.
3) Bacterial infections.- Other Achievements:
- 2004: Contributed to the CRASH TRIAL Medical Research Council, London.
- 2007: Oi-Sami Scholarship for Fellowship in Pediatric Neurosurgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo Japan.
- Biography accepted for publication in the 10th Anniversary (2008-2009) Edition of Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, United States of America.
- 2009 to 2011: Continental Editorial Review Board, Journal of Hydrocephalus.
- 2009: “Hydrocephalus Research World Record Ranking”[HRWRR]Committee.
- 2010: International Federation of Neuroendoscopy(IFNE).2010 Tokyo,
Continental Scientific Committee. - 2011: Continental Editorial Review Board, Journal of Neuroendoscopy.
- 2012: Continental Editorial Board, Journal of Hydrocephalus.
Dr. Nigel P Symss, completed his undergraduate training from Bangalore Medical College in 1993. He completed his DNB five years Neurosurgical training at the prestigious PostGraduate Institute of Neurological Surgery, VHS Medical Centre, Chennai and was awarded the degree in 2005.
He continued as consultant neurosurgeon in the same institute till 2011, mastering complex cranial and spinal surgical procedures. With an interest in paediatric neurosurgery,in 2007 he was awarded the Oi-Sami Fellowship at the Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan where he did extensive research on hydrocephalus and neuroendoscopy. He has many publications on hydrocephalus in international journals to his credit. In 2011 he was awarded a one year spinal fellowship at the Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide where he got trained in complex spinal surgery, neuronavigation, and microneurosurgery. In 2014 with a growing interest in Functional Neurosurgery he completed a fellowship at the Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide where he got trained in Functional Neurosurgery, and worked in the same neurosurgical unit for two and half years using state-of-the-art technology for treating complex brain tumours, skull base surgery, cerebrovascular and spinal surgery.
He is on the Continental Editorial Board of International Journal of Hydrocephalus, and Journal of Neuroendoscopy. He has 27 publications in Indian and International journals, and written many chapters in three text books of neurosurgery. He has presented papers at National and International neurosurgical conferences.
He is currently working as HOD and Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and Functional Neurosurgeon at Gleneagles Health City, Chennai. His neurosurgical interests are all applications of functional neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, skull base surgery, brain tumours, and spinal surgery.
Conditions and Treatments
Dr. Nigel Peter Symss's Expert Tips & Health Insights
9 Articles by Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Understanding Hydrocephalus in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
As a neurosurgeon, one of the conditions I often see in children is hydrocephalus — a word that can sound intimidating to any parent hearing it for the first time. But understanding what it is, how it happens, and how we treat it can help you feel more prepared to care for your child if this diagnosis ever comes your way.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
VP Shunt vs Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: How We Treat Hydrocephalus Today
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is: How do you treat hydrocephalus, and which procedure is right for my child?
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Deep Brain Stimulation A Life Changing Option for Parkinson’s Patients
As a neurosurgeon, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing how the right surgery can completely transform a patient’s life.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Living with Parkinson’s When Is It Time to Consider Surgery
Over the years, I have met many patients and families facing the daily challenges of Parkinson’s disease.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
What Happens During a Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Many people living with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, or essential tremors hear about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and wonder
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Hydrocephalus in Newborns Can It Be Detected Before Birth
One of the most common fears expectant parents share with me is about unexpected problems during pregnancy
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
15 June 2025
When to See a Neurosurgeon Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
As a neurosurgeon, I often meet patients who tell me they waited too long to seek help—either because they thought their symptoms were “normal” or were unsure whether to consult a specialist.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
15 June 2025
Children and Brain Surgery: How Pediatric Neurosurgery Has Evolved
Pediatric neurosurgery is one of the most delicate and emotionally nuanced areas of my practice. Treating children with neurological disorders is not just about surgical precision—it requires empathy, patience, and a deep understanding
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
15 June 2025
From Head Injury to Healing Neurosurgical Interventions That Work
Head injuries are among the most common neurological emergencies encountered in clinical practice. Whether caused by road traffic accidents, falls, or sports-related trauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Understanding Hydrocephalus in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
As a neurosurgeon, one of the conditions I often see in children is hydrocephalus — a word that can sound intimidating to any parent hearing it for the first time. But understanding what it is, how it happens, and how we treat it can help you feel more prepared to care for your child if this diagnosis ever comes your way.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
VP Shunt vs Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: How We Treat Hydrocephalus Today
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is: How do you treat hydrocephalus, and which procedure is right for my child?
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Deep Brain Stimulation A Life Changing Option for Parkinson’s Patients
As a neurosurgeon, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing how the right surgery can completely transform a patient’s life.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Living with Parkinson’s When Is It Time to Consider Surgery
Over the years, I have met many patients and families facing the daily challenges of Parkinson’s disease.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
What Happens During a Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Many people living with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, or essential tremors hear about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and wonder
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
30 June 2025
Hydrocephalus in Newborns Can It Be Detected Before Birth
One of the most common fears expectant parents share with me is about unexpected problems during pregnancy
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
15 June 2025
When to See a Neurosurgeon Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
As a neurosurgeon, I often meet patients who tell me they waited too long to seek help—either because they thought their symptoms were “normal” or were unsure whether to consult a specialist.
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
15 June 2025
Children and Brain Surgery: How Pediatric Neurosurgery Has Evolved
Pediatric neurosurgery is one of the most delicate and emotionally nuanced areas of my practice. Treating children with neurological disorders is not just about surgical precision—it requires empathy, patience, and a deep understanding
Read More
By: Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
15 June 2025
From Head Injury to Healing Neurosurgical Interventions That Work
Head injuries are among the most common neurological emergencies encountered in clinical practice. Whether caused by road traffic accidents, falls, or sports-related trauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Read More
Dr. Nigel Peter Symss's Reviews
Sort By:
Dr. Nigel Peter Symss's Reviews
4 Results by Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
Frequently Asked Questions
Sort By:
Frequently Asked Questions
6 Results by Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
Back or neck pain with radiating leg or arm numbness or weakness may indicate a herniated disc—Dr. Symss offers microdiscectomy to relieve pressure.
Symptoms like radiating limb pain, numbness, weakness, or bowel/bladder issues—especially when persistent—may require surgical intervention.
Yes, especially when done early. Decompression and stabilization procedures can relieve nerve pressure and restore mobility.
In cases of drug-resistant epilepsy, Dr. Nigel Symss performs epilepsy surgery or functional procedures like lesionectomy and vagus nerve stimulation to significantly reduce or stop seizures.
Functional neurosurgery addresses disorders like epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and chronic pain using techniques like deep brain stimulation and stereotactic procedures
Reach Dr. Nigel Peter Symss
Copyright © 2025, Linqmd. All rights reserved.