NealJNaffMDF.A.C.S

Neurosurgery • Baltimore, MD

Chief of Neurosurgery LifeBridge Health Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

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Office
2700 Quarry Lake Drive
Suite 360
Baltimore, MD 21209
Phone+1 410-601-4417

Fax+1 410-486-0230

Summary

Dr. Neal Naff is a native of southwest Virginia. He completed his undergraduate education at the Virginia Military Institute where he was a distinguished military graduate, class president, and valedictorian. He obtained his medical degree and completed his neurosurgical residency at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD.

After completing his residency he became a staff neurosurgeon at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He returned to practice neurosurgery in Baltimore in 2000. He was appointed Chief of Neurosurgery at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and surgical director of the CyberKnife Radiosurgery Center in 2003. He was appointed Chief of Neurosurgery at St. Joseph Medical Center in 2006. He was the first surgeon in Maryland to perform robotic guided radiosurgery on the brain and spine.

Dr. Naff is active in resident teaching at Johns Hopkins University Department of Neurosurgey. In 2001 he was awarded the faculty teaching award by the resident neurosurgeons at Johns Hopkins Hospital “In Recognition of Excellence in Teaching and Commitment to Resident Education” and in 2011 was awarded the Neurosurgery Chairman’s “Award of Excellence in Teaching”. Based on surveys of Baltimore area physicians, Dr. Naff was named “Top Doctor” by Baltimore Magazine for the field of neurosurgery in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. He has been recognized as a Maryland/DC/Virginia “Super Doc” in the Washington Post based on a survey of doctors in the mid-Atlantic region. Dr. Naff has been listed in U.S. News listing of Tops Doctors in America and was designated as “among the top 1% in the nation in his or her specialty”.

He has authored over 50 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and abstracts. He has been awarded nine federally funded and peer reviewed research grants and one clinical use patent. He has served on the executive committee of the Maryland Neurosurgical Society since 2002.

Education & Training

Johns Hopkins UniversityChief Residency, Neurological Surgery, 1997 - 1998
Johns Hopkins UniversityResidency, Neurological Surgery, 1992 - 1997
Johns Hopkins UniversityInternship, Surgery, 1991 - 1992
Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineClass of 1991, MD
Virginia Military InstituteBS, Biology, Valedictorian, 1983 - 1987

Certifications & Licensure

MD State Medical License 1995 - 2025
FL State Medical License 2014 - 2022
American Board of Neurological Surgery Neurological Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

"Top Doctor" Baltimore Magazine 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
America's Top Doctors Castle Connolly, 2011-2014
America's Top Doctors for Cancer Castle Connolly, 2011-2013
Top Doctors:Baltimore Area Castle Connolly, 2012
Top Doctors:Washington-Baltimore Castle Connolly, 2012
Neurosurgery Chairman’s Award of Excellence in Teaching Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Neurosurgery, 2011
Neurosurgery Residents Faculty Teaching Award Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Neurosurgery, 2001
National Research Fellowship Award National Stroke Association, 1996-1998, 1998
Super Doctor SuperDoctors.com
Top MD Consumers Checkbook
Fellow (FACS) American College of Surgeons
Fellow (FAANS) American Association of Neurological Surgeons
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

9 citations
Preventing Distal Catheter Obstruction in Laparoscopic Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in Adults: The "Falciform Technique".
Shane M. Svoboda, Habeeba Park, Neal J. Naff, Zeena Dorai, Michael A. Williams
Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques. Part A. 2015-08-10
4 citations
Gold fiducials are a unique marker for localization in the thoracic spine: a cost comparison with percutaneous vertebroplasty.
Mohamed Macki, Mohamad Bydon, Kelly McGovern, Nicholas B. Abt, Rafael De la Garza-Ramos
Neurological Research. 2014-08-20
80 citations
Predictors of outcome in civilian gunshot wounds to the head
Bizhan Aarabi, Babak Tofighi, Joseph A. Kufera, Jeffrey Hadley, Edward S. Ahn
Journal of Neurosurgery. 2014-05-01

Journal Articles

Intracranial hemorhage: Time for an intervention.
Hanley, D.F., Williams, M.A., Naff,N.J, Critical Care Medicine. 27 (3): 477-478
Treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage with urokinase: Effects on 30-day survival.
Naff,N.J., Carhuapoma, J.R., Williams, M.A., Bhardwaj, A., Ulatowski, J.A., Bederson, J., Bullock, R., Schmutzhard, E., Fausler, B., Keyl, P.M., Tuhrim, S., Hanley, D.F, Stroke. 31 (4): 841-847
Advances in the treatment of adult intraventricular hemorrhage.
Rolli, M. and Naff,N.J, Seminars in Neurosurgery. 11 (1): 27-40
Mangagement of Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy. Contemporary Management of Peripheral Nerve Problems.
Rosner, M.K. and Naff, N.J, Seminars in Neurosurgery. (1): 5-13
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release In Contemporary Management of Peripheral Nerve Problems.
Moran, E. and Naff, N.J, Seminars in Neurosurgery. (1):13-19
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Books/Book Chapters

Current Therapy of Neurologic Diseases.
Chapter: Treatment of cerebral and spinal vascular malformations
Rigamonti, D.R., Naff,N.JMosby Year Book, St. LouisEdition 5,
Current Treatment Options in Neurology.
Chapter: Management of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Adults
Page 173 - 178Naff,N.JCurrent Science
Operative Neurosurgery.
Chapter: Unusual Peripheral Nerve Entrapments
Naff,N.J. and Belzberg, AEditors: Black, P.M. and Kaye, A.Harcourt Brace, London
Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine.
Chapter: Thrombolytic therapy for intraventricular and intraparenchymal hemorrhage
Carhuapoma, J.R., Naff,N.J., Williams, M.A., Hanley, D.F
The Breast.
Chapter: Management of Central Nervous System metastases in Breast Cancer
Zellars, R. and Naff, N.JEditors: Davidson, N.McGraw-Hill, New York, NYEdition 3,
Youman’s Neurological Surgery.
Chapter: Endovascular Techniques for Brain Tumors
Naff, N.J. and Noonan, P.TW.B. Saunders, New York, NYEdition 5,
Neurosurgery.
Chapter: Techniques of Diagnostic Nerve and Muscle Biopsies
Cooper, P and Naff, N.JEditors: Rengachary, S., Maciunus, R., and Wilkins, R., Zeidman, S.McGraw-Hill, New YorkEdition 3,
Master Cases in Peripheral Nerve Surgery.
Chapter: Morton’s Neuroma
Naff, N.JThieme, New York, NY
Neurosurgery.
Chapter: Brachial Plexus Injuries in the Newborn
. Midha, R., Drake, J.M., Naff, N.JEditors: Rengachary, S., Maciunus, R., and Wilkins, R., Zeidman, S.McGraw-Hill, New YorkEdition 3,
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Abstracts/Posters

Intraventricular urokinase injections speed blood clot resolution in IVH: A quantitative analysis.
Naff,N.J., Tuhrim,S., Williams, M.S., Hanley, D.F, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN
Introduction of cyberknife radiosurgery into a community-based neurosurgical practice: A 6 month experience.
Naff, N.J., Brenner, M.J., Coleman, C., Lee, C, First annual Cyberknife Society Meeting, Napa, CA
Prospective Study of Intraventricular Catheter Insertions: Accuracy of Placement and Risk of Hemorrhage.
Weiss, N., Naff, N.J., Hanley, D.F, American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
Accuracy of Ventriculostomy Placement and Ventriculostomy Related Hematoma Rates In Patents with Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH): Results of a Prospective Multi-cent...
Weiss, N., Naff, N.J., Hanley, D.F, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery and the ASI and Therapeutic Neuroradiology Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
Intraventricular Thrombolysis Speeds Blood Clot Resolution: Results of a Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial.
Naff, N.J., Keyl, P., Tuhrim, S., Bederson, J., Bullock, R., Hanley, D.H, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 51st Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
Three-dimensional replication of cerebral aneurysms using fused deposition modeling.
Rolli, M.L., Richardson, C., Noonan, P., Armonda, R., Naff, N.J, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery and the ASI and Therapeutic Neuroradiology Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii
American neurosurgeons in World War I: Lasting contributions to peripheral nerve surgery.
Naff,N.J., Ecklund, J.E, American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA
Fused deposition modeling: Enhancing visualization of cerebral aneurysms.
Buetow, S., Naff,N.J., Richardson, A.C., Noonan, P., Stockel, J, American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
Peripheral nerve injury in modern warfare.
Tomlin, J., Naff,N.J, Joint Section of Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves of the ASNS and the CNS Annual Meeting, Palm Springs, CA
Fused deposition modeling: A new technique for enhanced visualization of cerebral aneurysms.
Naff,N.J., Richardson, A.C., Buetow, S., Noonan, P., Stockel, J, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery and the ASITN Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA
Wartime peripheral nerve injury: A historical review of military contributions to peripheral nerve surgery.
Naff,N.J., and Ecklund, J.M, Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Boston, MA
Venous malformations presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage.
Naff,N.J., Rigamonti, D.R, 21st International Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation, American Heart Association, San Antonio, TX
Advances in Neuro-endovascular Surgery.
Naff,N.J, 18th Annual Army Medical Department Neurology Conference
Intraventricular Thrombolysis Trial.
Naff,N.J., Hanley, D.F., Tuhrim, S., Royall, R., Bryan, R.N., Williams, M.A, Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation, American Heart Association. Orlando Florida
Percutaneous transpedicular instillation of polymethylmethacrylate for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures.
Naff,N.J., Mathis, J.M, Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
Clinical variables associated with improved patient outcome following endovascular therapy for subarachnoid hemorrhage associated vasospasm.
Naff,N.J., Monsein, L.H., Razumovsky, A.Y, American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology Scientific Conference, New York, NY
Blood clot resolution in human CSF: A serial quantitative study.
Naff,N.J., Bryan, R.N., Rigamonti, D.R., Hanley, D.F, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery Annual Meeting, Anaheim, California
Predictive measures of patient outcome following endovascular therapy for cerebral vasospasm.
Naff,N.J., Monsein, L.H., Razumovsky, A.Y, Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec
TCD monitoring of the effects of endovascular treatment for vasospasm.
Razumovsky, A.Y., Monsein, L.H., Hagenouw-Taal, J.C.W., Naff,N.J., Williams, M.A., Ulatowski, J.A., Hanley, D.F, 10th International Symposium on Cerebral Circulation, Munich, Germany
Treatment of pediatric intracranial and spinal vascular lesions at a tertiary referral center: A ten year experience.
Naff,N.J., Tamargo, R.J, American Association of Neurologic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
The spectrum of vascular formations and features in cavernous angiomata resected at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1984-1994.
Wills, M.L., Becher, M.W., Rigamonti, D.R., Naff,N.J., Lee, R., Burger, P.C, American Academy of Neuropathology Annual Meeting
A longitudinal study of 53 patients with venous malformations: Documentation of a benign natural history.
Naff,N.J., Rigamonti, D.R, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery, Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
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Lectures

Anatomy of the Brachial Plexus.
Grand Rounds, Division of Neurosurgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Surgical Management of Brachial Plexus Injuries.
Grand Rounds, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Surgical Anatomy of the Brachial Plexus.
Division of Orthopedics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Anatomical Teaching Lab Prosectorship
Brachial Plexus Injuries: Evaluation and Management.
Grand Rounds, Department of Neurology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Clinical trial of intraventricular thrombolysis for intraventricular hemorrhage.
Division of Neurosurgery, Research Grand Rounds
Fused deposition modeling: A new method for enhanced visualization of cerebral aneurysm.
Division of Neurosurgery, Research Grand Rounds
Wartime Peripheral Nerve Injuries.
Division of Neurosurgery, Research Grand Rounds, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Evaluation and Management of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injuries.
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Grand Rounds, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injuries.
Grand Rounds. Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Intraventricular Thrombolysis for the Treatment of Adult Intraventricular Hemorhage.
Grand Rounds, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Neurosurgery
Evaluation and Management of Obstetrical Brachial Palsy.
Grand Rounds. Department of Pediatrics, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Surgical Management of Chronic Pain.
Grand Rounds. Department of Medicine, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Towson, MD
Establishing a CyberKnife Radiosurgery Center at a Community Hospital. Accuray Inc.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA
Evaluation and Surgical Treatment of Brachial Plexus Lesions.
Grand Rounds. Department of Neurosurgery, George Washington University School of Medicine
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Other

Intraventricular Hemorrhage Thrombolysis.
Daniel Hanley, M.D. and Neal Naff, M.D, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/368,846

Press Mentions

Maryland Historical Society Appoints Dr. Neal Naff to Board of Trustees — 3 Things to KnowSeptember 27th, 2019
U.S. News & World Report Ranks Sinai Hospital’s Neurology/Neurosurgery Dept. Among the Best in the NationAugust 2nd, 2016