Rush’s skull base surgery program brings specialists from neurosurgery, otolaryngology and other specialties together to care for patients with some of the most complex tumors and disorders of the skull base.

Clinicians review each case in a dedicated multidisciplinary setting to determine the safest and most effective surgical approach. The conversation highlights how Rush incorporates advanced endoscopic and open techniques to reduce operative time, streamline care and prioritize long-term neurologic function and quality of life.

Peter Papagiannopoulos, MD, is an ear, nose and throat doctor at Rush, specializing in rhinology and skull base surgery.

Stephan Munich, MD, is a neurosurgeon and the director of the Skull Base Neurosurgery program at Rush.

Rush University Medical Center’s newly established Dizziness Clinic brings together specialists in otolaryngology, neurology, audiology, and vestibular therapy to evaluate and treat patients with persistent or unexplained dizziness.

Co-directors Mohamed Elrakhawy, MD, an otolaryngologist, and Jesse Taber, MD, a neurologist, discuss how the clinic operates, why cross-disciplinary collaboration matters, and what diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are most effective for this challenging patient population.

Rush University Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of surgical options for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and complex brain tumors, using advanced techniques that include stereo EEG monitoring, laser ablation, resection, and neuromodulation devices such as responsive nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation.

Arka Mallela, MD, is an epilepsy neurosurgeon at Rush. He leads the epilepsy surgery and brain mapping practices where he evaluates and treats patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and brain tumors. In addition, Dr. Mallela specializes in removing difficult brain tumors located near areas that control speech, movement and cognition. He uses brain mapping techniques to safely remove as much of the tumor as possible while protecting these important functions.