Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
Neurosurgery ·
Male ·
Age 43
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Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD is a neurosurgery specialist in Santa Monica, CA and has been practicing for 9 years. He graduated from Rush Medical College Of Rush University in 2001 and specializes in neurosurgery.Read his story
The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles - Westside
2811 Wilshire Blvd Ste 840
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 694-8300
Insurance Accepted
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Medicare
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Learn about Dr. Gantwerker
Be confident in your decisions by checking out your provider's top areas of care, education, patient reviews and more. Learn about finding the right doctor for you.
Top Care Areas
See how frequently Dr. Gantwerker performs your care needs compared to other doctors.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
very high
more than 90% of peers
Degenerative Disc Disease
very high
more than 88% of peers
Spine Disorders
very high
more than 88% of peers
Dr. Gantwerker's percentages are based on the rate of treatment compared to peers nationwide from insurance data. Learn more info about our data and this Top Care Areas component.
Dr. Gantwerker's bio
This content was provided by Dr. Gantwerker "Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, FAANS specializes in the treatment of degenerative and traumatic diseases of the spine through minimally invasive techniques, spinal cord and brain injury, and brain tumors through traditional surgery or Gamma Knife Radiosugery. He also treats many patients for concussion and its after-effects and educates on prevention. Dr. Gantwerker is committed to providing newly advanced techniques for the treatment of brain and spine diseases. He is proficient in both minimally-invasive and complex brain and spinal surgeries. He is diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Gantwerker is a Chicago native who attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned his pre-medical education and graduated magna cum laude with honors, majoring in psychology. Dr. Gantwerker received his medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago where he focused on peripheral nerve regeneration research. He completed his neurosurgical residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland and studied spinal cord regeneration with stem cells at Case Western School of Medicine. He completed a dedicated Gamma Knife rotation during his residency. Dr. Gantwerker completed his complex spine fellowship at the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona in 2009. Dr. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, appeared on television and radio interviews, and has instructed undergraduate, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics and neuroanatomy. Dr. Gantwerker is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key honor societies, and a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Society (SMISS), the National Association of Spine Specialists (NASS), and California Association of Neurological Surgeons (CANS), where he is serving on the nomination committee. He volunteers his time at various causes, such as the Jewish Vocational Service Scholarship Committee Alumni Co-Chair, and at KCRW for the biennial membership drive. He is also involved as a volunteer at Palisades Charter High School for the Varsity Football Team. "
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Care Philosophy
This content was provided by Dr. Gantwerker "We are committed to providing individualized, patient-centered care. Dr. Gantwerker is an expert in minimally-invasive spine surgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, brain tumor, and trigeminal neurlagia surgeries. Our experienced staff will guide you from your first appointment. Dr. Gantwerker will answer all your questions, explain your procedure in detail, and have a carefully though-out plan of care for you and your loved ones. He will help you explore all the options for your treatment."
1 Specialties
- Neurosurgery
1 Board Certifications
- NeurosurgeryAccredited by: American Board of Neurological Surgery*
51 Conditions Treated
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Aneurysm
- Bone Disorders
- Brain and Nervous System Cancer (incl. Gliomas, Astrocytoma, Schwannoma, Medulloblastoma, Chordoma)
- Brain Aneurysm
- Brain Cancer
- Brain Disorders
- Broken Neck
- Cancer
- Cerebral Artery Thrombosis
- Cerebral Hemorrhage
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak (CSF Leak)
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Cervical Spine Myelopathy
- Chiari's Deformity
- Cranial Trauma
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Ear Disorders
- Epilepsy
- Fracture
- Herniated Disc
- Hydrocephalus
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Low Back Pain
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Meningiomas
- Myelopathy
- Nerve Sheath Tumors
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- Pathological Spine Fracture
- Post-Laminectomy Syndrome
- Radiculopathy (Not Due to Disc Displacement)
- Scoliosis
- Secondary Malignancies
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord and Brain Disorders
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Deformities
- Spine Disorders
- Spine Fractures, Traumatic
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
- Stroke
- Subdural Hemorrhage
- Thoracic Spine Fracture
- Thoracic Spine Myelopathy
- Thrombosis
- Torticollis
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Vascular Disease
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25 Procedures
- Abscess or Cyst Drainage or Aspiration
- Abscess or Fluid Incision and Drainage
- Brain Surgery
- Brain Tumor Surgery
- Carpal Tunnel Release
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Shunt - Insertion, Repair or Removal
- Craniectomy, Craniotomy, Surgery of Skull Base, Neuroendoscopy
- Disc Replacement
- Dural Repair or Other Spinal Cord Repair
- Epidural Lysis of Adhesions (LOA)
- Herniated Disc Surgery
- Incision and Removal of Foreign Object
- Lamina Procedures (incl. Laminectomy, Laminoplasty, Laminotomy)
- Neuroplasty
- Neurostimulation
- Paracentesis
- Spinal Compression Fracture Repair
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Nerve Block
- Spinal Reconstructive Surgery for Deformities
- Spine Surgery
- Stereotactic Neurosurgery
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Spinal or Cranial
Background Check
0 Malpractice Claims
No malpractice history found for California.
0 Sanctions
No sanctions history found for the years that Healthgrades collects data.
0 Board Actions
No board actions found for the years that Healthgrades collects data.
Education
- University of Illinois At Urbana-ChampaignUndergraduate School | Graduated 1997
- Rush Medical College Of Rush UniversityMedical School | Graduated 2001
- Case Western ReserveInternship Hospital | Completed 2002
- Case Western Reserve University School of MedicineResidency Hospital | Completed 2008
- BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTEFellowship Hospital | Completed 2009
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Honors
- Healthgrades Honor Roll
Media & Publications
- Transthoracic Resection of Schwannomas, July 2011
Languages Spoken
- Farsi
- French
- English
Memberships & Professional Affiliations
Dr. Gantwerker does not have any memberships or affiliations listed. If you are Dr. Gantwerker and would like to add memberships or affiliations, please update your profile.
Dr. Gantwerker's Reviews
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Average Wait Time
- 10 – 15 minutes
Dr. Gantwerker's Performance
Office & Staff Performance
What People Say About Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
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Dr. Gantwerker assisted during my spinal fusion surgery in September of 2017. He visited me after surgery and was kind and reassuring. I highly recommend this doctor and the surgery has improved my quality of life immeasurably. However, beware the rude, uncaring office staff. Briana was...Read More
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Pamela Jones in CA – Jun 22, 2018
Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
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In my 48 years of seeing doctors, I have never had a more unprofessional experience. The office staff is rude and misleading and the follow up is horrendous. I would not recommend this doctor to anyone.
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1Feb 12, 2018
I am sorry you had a bad experience at our...Read More
Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
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Topnotch. Period. Phenomenal bedside manner, he is a very caring man. Besides that, he is at the top of his game and an outstanding surgeon. I cannot recommend him enough after my neck/neuropathy surgery.
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3Renee in North Hills, CA – May 10, 2017
Thank you so much for the kind email. It's...Read More
Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
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Dr. Gantwerker is a good physician but his secretary (blonde, older woman) is extremely rude and condescending. Rolls her eyes when asked a question. Very unprofessional
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10Los Angeles, CA – Mar 02, 2017
I'm so sorry you didn't have a good experience...Read More
Dr. Brian Gantwerker, MD
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The kindest, most compassionate and experienced surgeon that I found. Highly recommend!
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4Los Angeles, CA – Feb 11, 2017
We appreciate feedback from our patients. Thank...Read More
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