Pittsburgh, July 20, 2004 -- The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery ranked as one of the best neurosurgery programs in the country in a recent poll published in U.S. News & World Report magazine. The rankings appear as part of the magazine's 15th annual "America's Best Hospitals" article analyzing over 200 top medical centers in 17 specialties.

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery is the largest case volume neurosurgical academic provider in the United States, performing over 8000 procedures annually. We utilize 10-12 technically-advanced operating rooms each day in the four primary site hospitals that we staff. Our physicians are leaders in their field pioneering advances in brain, neck, spine and peripheral nerve care.

The department's Gamma Knife® program is world renowned, treating patients for brain tumors, pain and movement disorders. Our CyberKnife® program is the most active spinal radiosurgery center in the United States. The department's Spine Services Division incorporates numerous leading-edge, computer-assisted spine surgery techniques.

Our minimally invasive microneurosurgery and endovascular programs employ the latest laboratory advances in brain and skull base treatment to minimize patient stays and postoperative discomfort.

The department's pediatric program is one of the most prominent in the world, gaining international recognition for it's treatment of brain tumors, cerebral palsy, spasticity, epilepsy, spinal deformities and traumatic brain injury.

The research program in the department is a national leader as well, advancing the frontier of neurosurgical care in a variety of areas and recently ranking second in the country among neurosurgery departments in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings appear in the July 12 issue of the magazine appearing on newsstands Monday, July 5.