International Patient Desk — open 24 hours Call or WhatsApp +91 99673 87791

Neurosciences at Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai — international patient care

When it's the brain, you need answers quickly.

Send your MRI or CT scan on WhatsApp. Our neurosurgeons review it and tell you what it shows, whether surgery is needed and how urgently — with a full cost estimate in writing, before you spend anything on travel.

Send scans on WhatsApp Call +91 99673 87791
Apollo Hospitals neurosurgery centre in Mumbai, India
Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai
Scans reviewed freeOpinion and estimate at no cost, before travel
Urgent cases prioritisedBleeds, rising pressure and fast-growing tumours reviewed same day
Visa invitation letterIssued for you and one attendant

Brain and spine care under one roof

A problem with the brain, spine or nervous system can be one of the most frightening things a patient or family can face, where every decision feels high-stakes and answers can't come fast enough. Our neurosurgery department offers comprehensive neurosurgery treatment in India — from diagnosis and imaging to complex surgery and long-term neurological follow-up, for both adults and children. Our neurosurgeons, neurologists and critical care specialists guide you through every step with honesty, without unnecessary tests or delays.

From brain tumour surgeries and shunt procedures to epilepsy surgery and complex spinal neurosurgery, we bring together some of the best neurosurgeons in India, advanced neuro-navigation systems and dedicated neuro-critical care units in one building — so patients don't have to run between different hospitals for different parts of their treatment.

Our international patient desk handles everything around the medical part: scan review, cost estimate, visa invitation letter, airport pickup, accommodation, interpreter support and follow-up once you are home.

Procedures we perform

Plain explanations of what each procedure involves, so you understand what is being recommended and why.

Brain tumours

Brain tumour excision

When imaging reveals a mass in the brain, the goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumour as safely possible while protecting the surrounding healthy tissue that controls speech, movement and memory. Patients looking for brain tumour surgery in India can count on our neurosurgeons to use advanced navigation and, where needed, awake craniotomy techniques to map critical brain functions during the procedure itself. We combine brain tumour excision expertise with close coordination alongside our oncology and radiation teams, for tumours that need further treatment after surgery.

Fluid pressure on the brain

Hydrocephalus and VP shunt surgery

When cerebrospinal fluid builds up around the brain instead of draining normally, it puts dangerous pressure on brain tissue and needs prompt correction. Patients and families searching for hydrocephalus treatment in India trust our neurosurgery team to accurately diagnose the cause and act quickly, before symptoms have a chance to worsen. Our paediatric neurosurgery specialists handle this condition regularly, alongside adult cases linked to injury, infection or other underlying causes.

Hydrocephalus

  • Caused by a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, either from birth or due to injury, infection or other conditions
  • Diagnosed through imaging such as MRI or CT scans, along with a review of symptoms like headaches, vomiting, or unusual head growth in infants
  • Left untreated, it can put dangerous pressure on the brain and affect long-term development, especially in children

VP shunt surgery

  • Places a thin, flexible tube that redirects excess cerebrospinal fluid from around the brain to another part of the body, usually the abdomen
  • Performed with precision to minimise complications and support smooth long-term functioning of the shunt
  • Followed by close post-surgical monitoring, with clear guidance to families on signs that may indicate the shunt needs adjustment later on

Seizures that don't respond to medication

Epilepsy surgery

For patients whose seizures don't respond to medication, surgery can offer a real chance at seizure freedom or significant improvement. Patients exploring epilepsy surgery in India can rely on our neurosurgeons and neurologists to first pinpoint the exact seizure-triggering area of the brain using video-EEG monitoring, then plan a resection or other surgical approach designed to stop seizures while preserving normal brain function. Our epilepsy team works closely together at every stage, from initial evaluation to post-surgical follow-up.

Spine and nerves

Complex spinal neurosurgery

Some spine problems are neurological rather than purely orthopaedic — tumours within the spinal canal, compression of the spinal cord, or nerve damage following injury. These are handled by our neurosurgery team with intraoperative monitoring that tracks nerve function throughout the procedure, so the surgeon knows immediately if a critical pathway is at risk rather than discovering it afterwards.

Neurosurgery technology & care

Our neurosurgery unit is built to support faster diagnosis, safer surgery and better monitoring at every stage of treatment.

Imaging and diagnostic labs

Precise localisation of tumours, bleeds or abnormalities through MRI, CT and functional imaging before any treatment decision is made.

Neuro-navigation theatres

Allowing surgeons to plan and execute procedures with millimetre-level precision around delicate brain structures.

Intraoperative monitoring

Tracking nerve and brain function in real time during surgery, to reduce the risk of damage to critical areas.

Neuro-critical care ICUs

Close, round-the-clock monitoring of patients before and after major brain or spine surgery.

Epilepsy monitoring units

Continuous EEG to accurately map seizure activity before any surgical planning begins.

Paediatric neurosurgery support

Specialists and equipment built around the needs of young patients with congenital or developmental conditions.

Neuro-rehabilitation teams

Helping patients regain speech, movement and independence after surgery.

Where you will be treated

Neurosurgery cases often arrive urgently, and the first hours matter. Our team can begin reviewing scans while the visa is still being processed, so nothing waits on paperwork that doesn't have to.

  • LocationApollo Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • From the airportChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the arrival point for international patients. We arrange the pickup, including stretcher or wheelchair transfer where needed.
  • Urgent casesScans reviewed the day they arrive where the case is time-critical, with admission arranged in advance
  • Recovery stayAccommodation nearby for the attendant during the neuro ICU period, and for both of you through rehabilitation
Apollo Hospitals Mumbai building lit at night
Neuro-critical care runs around the clock

Consult our neurosurgeons

Not sure whether your symptoms need surgery, medication, or further tests to understand what's really going on? That is exactly the kind of question our specialists are here to answer. Every consultation starts with a proper review of your scans, symptoms and medical history, so you get a clear, honest opinion before any decision is made — not a rushed recommendation.

Neurosurgery & Neurosciences

Dr. Abhidha Shah — Neurosciences · 20+ years
Dr. Girish Chandrasekharan Nair — Neurosciences · 17+ years
Dr. Shekhar G Patil — Neurosciences · 16+ years
Dr. Vishal C — Neurosciences · 14+ years
Dr. Ravikiran Vutha — Neurosciences · 10+ years
Dr. Sumeet G Pawar — Neurosciences · 8+ years

Neurology

Dr. Anil Venketachalam — Neurology · 17+ years

From your city to the operating theatre

Six steps. Most patients complete the first three without leaving home.

Send your scans

WhatsApp your MRI or CT, any EEG reports and your neurologist's notes. Clear photos of the films and reports are fine to start with.

Get a neurosurgical opinion

The surgeon tells you what the scan shows, whether surgery is needed, which approach fits and how urgently you should travel.

Receive a written estimate

A cost estimate covering surgery, neuro ICU days, hospital stay and consultations — in writing, before you commit.

Visa and travel

We issue a visa invitation letter for the patient and one attendant, and help with the medical visa application and flights. Urgent cases are flagged for faster processing.

Surgery and neuro ICU

Airport pickup, accommodation, interpreter support, and a coordinator alongside your family through admission, surgery and the ICU period.

Rehabilitation and follow-up

Speech, movement and independence worked on with the neuro-rehabilitation team, then a home plan and video follow-up with your surgeon.

International patients we care for

Our international patient desk regularly coordinates brain, spine and paediatric neurosurgery cases for patients travelling from:

Nigeria Kenya Tanzania Uganda Ethiopia Ghana Zambia Zimbabwe DR Congo Sudan Botswana Namibia Mauritius

Support in English, French, Swahili, Arabic and Amharic can be arranged for consultations and during your stay.

What it will cost

Neurosurgery cost in India depends on the procedure, how many days are needed in neuro-critical care, whether monitoring or navigation systems are used, and whether further treatment such as radiation follows the surgery. Quoting a number before seeing your scans would be guesswork, and guesswork is how families end up with a bill they did not plan for.

Send your scans and you will receive a written estimate covering surgery, ICU, hospital stay and consultations — so you know the figure before you book a ticket.

Get my cost estimate

Send your case for review

Fill this in and it opens WhatsApp with your details ready to send. Attach your MRI or CT scans there.

Your scans stay between you, our international patient desk and the treating neurosurgeon.

Private patient room with attendant seating at Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai
Your room is arranged before you arrive After the neuro ICU period, patients move to a private room where the attendant travelling with you has space to stay overnight. A coordinator is with your family through admission, surgery and the days in intensive care.

Questions patients ask us first

Do I have to pay anything to get an opinion?

No. Review of your MRI, CT and reports, the neurosurgeon's opinion and the cost estimate are free. You pay only once you decide to come for treatment.

How long will I need to stay in India for brain surgery?

Most brain and spine neurosurgery patients plan for around three to four weeks in total: several days in the neuro ICU and ward, then review and rehabilitation before the surgeon clears them to fly. Cases needing radiation or further treatment after surgery take longer, and the team tells you that before you travel rather than after.

What is an awake craniotomy, and why would it be used?

For tumours sitting close to the areas controlling speech or movement, the patient is woken for part of the operation so the team can test those functions while operating and avoid damaging them. It sounds alarming, but the brain itself has no pain receptors — the patient feels no pain, and it is often the safest way to protect what matters most.

My child needs a shunt for hydrocephalus. How urgent is it?

Hydrocephalus needs prompt assessment, because pressure on a developing brain affects long-term development. Send the MRI or CT scan and the head circumference measurements, and our paediatric neurosurgery team will tell you how quickly the child should travel.

Can epilepsy surgery stop the seizures completely?

For carefully selected patients whose seizures don't respond to medication, surgery can offer seizure freedom or a significant reduction. Whether you are suitable is decided only after video-EEG monitoring pinpoints exactly where the seizures begin — which is why the evaluation comes first, and why nobody should promise you an outcome before it.

Can a family member travel with me?

Yes, and for neurosurgery we strongly recommend it. Our visa invitation letter covers the patient and one attendant, and most countries issue a medical attendant visa alongside the patient's medical visa.

What about the language?

Consultations are in English. Interpreters for French, Swahili, Arabic and Amharic can be arranged for your admission and hospital stay — tell us in advance so we can book one.

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