Baltimore

Spine and Neurosurgery

OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Friday	8:30- 4:30
Saturday	closed
Sunday	closed

+1 410-337-8201

Welcome to Baltimore Spine and Neurosurgery

Dr. Zünkeler is a board-certified neurosurgeon who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the brain and spine. Dr. Zünkeler also provides second-opinion services for patients who are interested in confirmation of or alternatives to proposed neurosurgical treatment.

IN-PERSON AND TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS

Please contact our office to set up an in-person visit at our conveniently located Towson office. Telehealth visits are a time-saving alternative for patients who are located in remote areas of Maryland.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES

CT-guided injection procedures can sometimes help pinpoint the source of spine pain and can be a very helpful diagnostic and treatment tool. In many cases, a major surgery can be avoided.

BOARD-CERTIFIED NEUROSURGEON

Dr. Zünkeler has 20+ years of experience in clinical community-based neurosurgery and participates in the continuing certification process of The American Board of Neurological Surgery.

SECOND-OPINION SERVICES

Dr. Zünkeler provides second-opinion services for patients with neurosurgical problems. Obtaining a second opinion is often helpful and can provide peace of mind.

MEET DOCTOR ZÜNKELER

Bernhard Zünkeler attended medical school in Münster, Germany, and graduated summa cum laude with a doctorate degree in medicine in 1988. From 1989 to 1991, Dr. Zünkeler worked as a Fogarty Fellow and Medical Staff Fellow at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. From 1991 to 1997, he completed his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. From 1997 to the present, Dr. Zünkeler has maintained a private neurosurgical practice in Baltimore. He has been a member of the clinical staff of several area hospitals, including St. Joseph Medical Center (where he served as Chief of Neurosurgery from 1997 to 2004), Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the DC Veterans Administration Medical Center. Over the years, Dr. Zunkeler has worked with surgery, neurology, and neurosurgery residents and physician assistants and has served as a teaching physician in neurosurgical residency programs. Dr. Zünkeler maintains continuous certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

Bernhard Zünkeler, M.D.My clinical work:

I am a board-certified neurosurgeon. Currently, my clinical interests are focused on improving the lives of people who suffer from chronic conditions of the brain and spine. I am also engaged in the diagnosis, treatment, and improvement of the long-term care of individuals who have sustained traumatic brain and spine injuries of varying severity.

OUR HEALTH SERVICES

Dr. Zünkeler has clinical interests and experience in the following areas:

GENERAL ADULT NEUROSURGERY

Dr. Zünkeler diagnoses and treats neurosurgical conditions involving the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves.

BRAIN INJURY AND CONCUSSION

Concussions can occur after very minor head injuries and are sometimes not diagnosed. Generally, the outcome of mild-to-moderate concussions is good or excellent, but symptoms can linger for weeks or months.

SPINE INJURY

Spine injuries are common and range from simple (yet painful) sprains and strains to more severe conditions that involve one or several nerve roots, impinge and impair the spinal cord, and cause varying degrees of disability.

AGE 50+ HEALTHY BRAIN & SPINE

An active life can take its toll on the spine, and some conditions of the brain are more common as we age. Available surgical options may not provide adequate resolution. In some instances, lifestyle modifications can be effective.

SECOND OPINIONS

Although spine surgery can be helpful, in many cases, nonoperative solutions are available and may be just as effective or more effective than surgery. Dr. Zünkeler provides second-opinion services and, if appropriate, alternatives to surgery.

NON-TREATMENT SERVICES

In addition to providing patient care, Dr. Zünkeler performs independent medical evaluations (IMEs) and independent record reviews and contributes to the administrative management of complex cases for insurance companies, hospitals, government, and legal professionals.

TELEHEALTH VISITS AVAILABLE

Patients in Maryland who would like to make an appointment for a remote consultation visit with Dr. Zünkeler are encouraged to contact our office (410-337-8201) for an appointment. Telehealth appointments may be preferable for patients who have mobility issues or health risks that make travel inadvisable. Patients who live in the more remote areas of Maryland (e.g. The Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, or Western Maryland) and who would like to avoid a lengthy car trip may also be interested in the telehealth option. Please note, however, that there are some parts of the physical examination that cannot easily be performed remotely, and in some instances, an in-person visit may additionally be helpful at a later time to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis may not be obvious in every case. Some conditions may be masked by other conditions. Imaging studies are helpful, but a careful history and physical examination are essential.

Second opinion

Most spine surgeons encourage second opinions. Dr. Zünkeler will gladly review the medical records and imaging studies and provide an opinion regarding operative and nonoperative care options.

Treatment alternatives

Surgery is an aggressive form of treatment. Even a technically well done surgery often results in pain and the need for prolonged rehabilitation. In some cases, nonsurgical treatment may lead to good or excellent results.