Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Peter Sylvester
Dr. Sylvester is a board-eligible neurosurgeon. He treats patients with spinal and cranial disease. He specializes in treating patients with degenerative spinal disease and brain tumors. He uses both traditional open and minimally invasive approaches depending on clinical factors and patient preference.
Dr. Sylvester began his education as an enlisted avionic technician in the US Navy. He completed a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia, followed by a medical doctoral degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Sylvester completed residency in neurosurgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He has master's degrees in Clinical Investigation and Health Administration.
Scope of Practice
Cranial Neurosurgery
- Brain Tumors: (practice focus) - diagnosis, resection, biopsy, radiosurgery
- Cerebrovascular Disorders: (practice focus) - aneurysms clipping, hemorrhage stroke evacuation, arteriovenous malformation AVM resection
- Trauma: traumatic brain injury (TBI), hematoma evacuation, decompressive craniectomy, skull fracture repair
- Hydrocephalus: ventricular shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)
- Infections: Drainage of brain abscesses or subdural empyema
Spinal Neurosurgery
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: (practice focus) - Microdiscectomy, decompression, single and multilevel instrumentation and fusion
- Disc replacement: (practice focus) cervical and lumbar
- Degenerative Spine Disease: discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion (e.g. ACDF, TLIF, ALIF, OLIF).
- Spinal Trauma: Fracture stabilization, decompression of spinal cord injuries
- Spinal Tumors: Resection of intradural/extradural tumors
- Deformity Correction: Scoliosis or kyphosis correction
Emergency & Critical Care
- Neurotrauma: Management of polytrauma patients with head/spinal injuries
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: ICU care of hydrocephalus and vasospasm
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, EVD placement
Non-Operative Management
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- Diagnostic Workup: Interpretation of imaging (MRI, CT, xray, angiography, EMG)
- Collaborative Care: Coordinating with intensivists, hospitalists, neurologists, oncologists, pain management specialists, physiatrists , and PCPs for conditions like chronic pain, polytrauma, hydrocephalus or metastatic disease.