Prof. M.D. Serdar Özgen

A 24-year-old female competitive freediver from Antalya presented with recurrent episodes of transient neurological deficits following deep dives. Dr. Özgen diagnosed a rare patent foramen ovale with paradoxical emboli triggered by pressure changes. He performed a minimally invasive endoscopic closure, allowing her to return to competition within three months with modified dive protocols.

A 68-year-old retired shipyard welder from Tuzla presented with progressive hand weakness and atrophy, initially misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Özgen identified a rare spinal cord schwanomma at C7-T1 compressing the brachial plexus. He performed a precision microsurgical resection via a posterior approach, preserving motor function. The patient regained 80% hand function over six months of neurorehabilitation.

A 7-year-old boy from a rural village near Kars was brought by his teacher after collapsing during a football match. Imaging revealed a congenital arteriovenous malformation in the cerebellar region that had begun hemorrhaging. Dr. Özgen coordinated an emergency embolization followed by staged gamma knife radiosurgery, avoiding open cranial surgery. The child returned to school with minor balance therapy needs.

A 42-year-old Syrian refugee and former architect, now working in textile manufacturing, developed drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia following facial trauma during displacement. Dr. Özgen performed a novel endoscopic microvascular decompression via a subtemporal approach, tailored to the patient's complex scar tissue. Pain resolved completely, allowing him to resume drawing and design work.