J U A N C. F E R N A N D E Z- M I R A N D A, MD, FACS
Stanford Professor of Neurosurgery
Internationally renowned neurosurgeon specialized on complex brain, skull base and pituitary surgery
BIO
Dr. Fernandez-Miranda is Professor of Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Stanford Brain Tumor, Skull Base, and Pituitary Centers. He is internationally renowned for his expertise in endoscopic skull base and pituitary surgery, open skull base surgery, and complex brain tumor surgery. He has performed over 3,500 cranial operations for skull base and brain lesions including over 2,000 endoscopic endonasal operations for pituitary tumors and other skull base lesions. He is highly regarded for his innovative contributions to the development and refinement of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery and for his ability to select the most effective and less invasive approach to each individual patient. He has been ranked by Expertscape as World-Expert (top 0.05%) on Skull Base Surgery and #1 Neurosurgeon Expert on Skull Base Tumors (pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, schwannomas, esthesioneuroblastomas and others) on the US Pacific Region and Pacific Rim. He is member of the board of directors of the NASBS (North American Skull Base Society), serves in the editorial board of the JNS (Journal of Neurosurgery), is co-founder and vice-president of the International Rhoton Society and executive member of the board of directors of the The Neurosurgical Atlas, the largest nonprofit organization for neurosurgical education and research in the world.
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION
SAFE, GENTLE, ACCURATE SURGERY
SKULL BASE LESIONS
Modern skull base surgery is about selecting the most effective and less invasive approach to each individual patient. There is no room for occasional skull base surgery. I've dedicated my career to advance the field of skull base surgery to provide the best possible outcome for patients with challenging lesions, such as Meningiomas, Chordomas, Chondrosarcomas, Schwanommas, and many other lesion types. Many cases, previously considered inoperable or of very high risk, can now be operated to obtain excellent results.
PITUITARY DISEASES
I’ve cared for thousands of patients with pituitary diseases throughout my career as a Pituitary Surgeon. To me, nothing matters more than your health, which is why I’ve put in so much time and effort into advancing my medical practice and surgical techniques, introducing key innovations that have significantly improved outcomes for patients with all types of Pituitary tumors and diseases, including Acromegaly, Cushing's disease, Prolactinomas, Craniopharyngiomas, and Rathke's cleft cysts.
BRAIN TUMORS
The brain is the crown jewel of creation. After many years of practice, intense training, and dedicated research, I have developed a profound understanding of the surgical and functional anatomy required to perform the most complex operations for brain tumors of all types, including low and high grade gliomas, intraventricular and pineal tumors, and deep seated lesions. My quest to preserve and recuperate the human brain from invasive tumors represents an immense privilege and a transforming experience for me and my patients.
PATIENT STORIES & CONDITIONS
"I started to lose progressively my peripheral vision. My doctors found I had a rare and large tumor compressing my optic nerves. They told me this was a high risk operation. With the help of my family I was fortunate to find the best surgeon to perform my surgery. My vision went back to normal, tumor was totally removed, and even my pituitary gland function remained intact. I am forever grateful to DrJFM and his team"
Xueli Du (Beijing, China)
Adult Craniopharyngioma
"They told us Ari's case was inoperable. But we looked into all experts in cranioparyngioma treatment and DrJFM and his dreamteam gave us confidence and hope. The results have been almost miraculous."
Ari Ellman (Los Angeles, California)
Pediatric Craniopharyngioma
Dear DrJFM
"My family and I would like to thank you and your amazing staff at Stanford Hospital from the bottom of our hearts, for your dedicated care of our child Omri. In such a difficult time when everything around us was gloomy, you were the person who showed us the light - professional, patient, reassuring and very optimistic.I have no doubt that by choosing you to take care of our son we have not only saved his life but have also influenced the course and the quality of his life. Thanks to you and your team, our son is embarking on a new path. We will forever be grateful and cherish your care of him."
Omri Cohen (Israel)
Pediatric Craniopharyngioma
PATIENT STORIES & CONDITIONS
"I suffered from devastating Cushing's disease for several years. I underwent 2 operations that were unsuccessful, and medical treatment was not effective. I consulted with dozens experts. They offered me little hope of success because they did not even know where the tumor was located. When DrJFM told me my tumor was invading the medial wall of the cavernous sinus and he could remove it completely with high chance for success I could not believe it. Surgery was life-changing. I owe him my new healthy life!"
Ali Daoud (Beirut, Libanon)
Pituitary Tumor - Cushing's Disease
"A dentist friend of mine diagnosed me with acromegaly as the cause of tooth separation and malocclusion. On my first surgery they could only remove part of the tumor and they told us it was impossible to remove it all. We search for multiple opinions, but none of them offer us confidence in the results. We are so happy we found DrJFM for his expertise in Acromegaly. He was able to remove all tumor through the nose and my IGF-1 levels are now normal!"
Craig Dettman (Chicago)
Pituitary Tumor - Acromegaly
"After an accident, my doctors here found I had a very large mass at the base of my skull, a rare tumor known as clival chordoma. I contacted The Chordoma Foundation and they explained the importance of surgical expertise for optimal outcomes. DrJFM came highly recommended and from my first interaction with him I knew he was the right surgeon for me. Surgery was tough but an amazing success. All tumor is gone and radiation is not needed at this point because of the favorable genetics of my tumor. My double vision is now resolved. I am thrilled!"
Jeremiah Kvas (Kansas)
Clival Chordoma
PATIENT STORIES & CONDITIONS
"My balance was off and I developed worsening headaches and hearing loss. I went to the emergency room, they admitted me, and told me I had a golf ball sized tumor at the base of my skull pressing my brainstem and blocking the fluid cavities in the brain. The neurosurgeons wanted to do surgery but they seemed overwhelmed by the complexity of my case. Fortunately a doctor close friend of mine advised me to leave the hospital and consult with DrJFM, a skull base expert. He attended me right away and a few days later I was having the surgery I needed. I have completely recovered and I now enjoy every moment of life!"
Claude Drugan (Walnut Creek, California)
Skull Base Meningioma
"For months, I dealt with horrible facial pain until I found out there was a tumor in the center of my head compressing the brainstem and the trigeminal nerve. In desperation, I search for the best possible expert for my condition and I was so lucky to find DrJFM. He inspired tremendous confidence and genuine expertise. Surgery was a sound success with complete tumor removal and resolution of symptoms. I cannot be happier today. It all looks like a dream now!"
Michelle Rando (Modesto, California)
Epidermoid Tumor & Trigeminal Neuralgia
"My family and me are deeply thankful for DrJFM and his team. When I arrived to the hospital I was nearly in coma. Surgery was a great success and now I have completely recovered and I am tumor free."
Ermelinda Ornelas (Turlock, California)
Pineal Tumor
IN THE NEWS
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SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
My passion for knowledge and the motivation to become the best possible surgeon are the reasons behind over 200 scientific publications with several original descriptions of the surgical anatomy and technical nuances needed to perform a "perfect" pituitary, skull base or brain operation. Here some of my recent contributions performed with the outstanding help of fellows and collaborators. For a full list of publications and citations, follow the links below.
Webinars
Webinars
Neuroanatomical Art and Surgical Innovation with Dr. Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda
EES: Maturation of a Generational Paradigm Shift
New Surgical Techniques Bring Higher Remission Rates In Acromegaly
Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery For Craniopharyngiomas And Hypothalamic Tumors
Surgical Videos
Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Pituitary Tumor Removal
Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Pituitary Tumor Removal
GIANT PEDIATRIC CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA
Skullbase Meningioma Animation - Endonasal Approach
Chondrosarcoma EEA
Giant Craniopharyngioma Combined approach
Clival meningeal melanocytoma
Hypothalamic Teratoma
Acromegaly Treatment at Stanford: Bilateral Medial Wall Tumor Resection
TRAINING AND INNOVATION
The main theme of my laboratory is “From the Lab to the OR” as a reflection of a true translational effort to introduce novel anatomical concepts and innovative surgical technique into real surgical practice. We are teaching the next generation of neurosurgeons the art of microsurgical dissection to spread this knowledge and to influence Neurosurgery worldwide.
