Dr. Arnaout has a particular interest and subspecialized training in treating patients with brain tumors, including those with glioma, metastatic disease and skull base tumors including meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, glomus jugulare tumors and pituitary disease. He also specializes in brain microsurgery for the treatment of cranial nerve compression including Trigeminal neuralgia. In addition to traditional surgical approaches, he specializes in minimally invasive brain surgery including endoscopic surgery and keyhole surgery.

To him, the field of neurosurgery is not about the procedures but rather the long-term relationships he builds with his patients. Good outcomes are tied closely to having strong therapeutic relationships. As a result, he often sees patients more than once prior to discussing surgery and then regularly in the post-operative period. For the patients he sees that do not need surgery, it is still crucial to him to have a close relationship so that he can help guide them to the outcome they are looking for.

The most satisfying parts of Dr. Arnaout’s work can be broken down into three things:

• The patient interaction and relationship; that is the driving force for everything he does.

• The technical aspects of surgery which can be demanding and unforgiving, but also very rewarding especially when a challenging operation results in excellent patient outcome.

• His research in applying artificial intelligence to neurosurgical patients will hopefully help better anticipate problems, understand patient outcomes and improve the quality of care.

Once he decided to pursue a career in medicine, neurosurgery was an obvious choice. To him, the human brain is the most fascinating and complex organ on earth and really is nature’s crown jewel. Disorders of the brain are unique in that they have the ability to rob us of core attributes that make us individuals such as our personalities, memories and decision-making ability. As a result, neurological disorders can significantly reduce not only the duration of a patient’s life but also its quality. Neurosurgeons are privileged with the task of treating such diseases, some of which are even curable. No other specialty in medicine is as demanding, but as gratifying, as neurosurgery.