Precision in neurosurgery.
Care without borders.
Consultant Neurosurgeon based at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Specialized in cranial microsurgery, complex cerebrovascular lesions, spinal intervention, and international second opinions.
Elective clinical reviews are by scheduled appointment. For acute loss of consciousness, sudden severe weakness, or thunderclap headache, report immediately to hospital emergency services.
A deliberate, patient-centered approach to the brain and spine.
Neurosurgical decisions are among the most profound choices a patient or family can face. They demand rigorous diagnostic evaluation, exhaustive imaging scrutiny, and a care plan molded around the person—not merely the scan.
Rooted at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Julius Mautin Vitowanu balances high-volume tertiary clinical practice with peer-reviewed research and international collaborations. Whether evaluating a complex cranial malformation, chronic subdural hematoma, or severe spinal infection, the focus remains absolute precision and uncompromising patient safety.
- Fellowship in Neurosurgery: West African College of Surgeons (FWACS)
- Specialist Surgical Fellowship Records: National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria
- International Investigator: EANS Spine Section 2SICK Study on Pyogenic Spinal Infections
- Advanced Anatomical Exposure: Cranial Skull Base Dissection Corridors (Rochester, MN)
Areas of Clinical Focus
Cranial & Skull Base
Microsurgical resection of brain tumors, skull bone lesions, meningiomas, and elevated ICP management.
Spine & Spinal Cord Surgery
Targeted decompression and stabilization for pyogenic spinal infections, myelopathy, and trauma.
Neurotrauma & Emergency
Urgent burr-hole evacuation for chronic subdural hematomas, contusions, and skull fracture reconstruction.
Cerebrovascular Malformations
Diagnostic review and operative treatment of craniospinal AVMs, aneurysms, and cavernous angiomas.
Hydrocephalus & CSF Disorders
Physiological CSF diversion using programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunts and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).
International Second Opinions
Slice-by-slice remote review of outside imaging to clarify indications and surgical necessity.
Common Conditions Evaluated
Patients search by condition rather than surgical specialty. Explore our evidence-based patient guides.
Brain & Craniospinal Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
Abnormal tangles of blood vessels directly connecting arteries and veins, bypassing the normal capillary bed.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma (CSDH)
A progressive collection of liquefied blood and breakdown products beneath the dura mater, commonly following mild head trauma.
Hydrocephalus & CSF Circulation Disorders
An abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain ventricles, leading to increased intracranial pressure or ventricular dilation.
Severe Pyogenic Spinal Infections & Spondylodiscitis
Bacterial infections of the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, or spinal epidural space that can threaten neurological stability.
Neurosurgical Procedures
Explore operative overviews, preparation steps, surgical execution, and recovery expectations.
Burr-Hole Evacuation and Closed Subdural Drainage
A targeted, minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure to drain chronic subdural blood collections and relieve pressure on the brain.
Microsurgical Craniotomy & Brain Lesion Resection
High-precision surgical opening of the skull utilizing operative microscopy and neuronavigation to safely resect brain tumors and cranial lesions.
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunting & Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)
Surgical diversion and physiological restoration of cerebrospinal fluid flow to alleviate hydrocephalus and normalized intracranial pressure.
Beyond the Operation
Neurosurgical care is not merely an incision in the operating room. It is a continuum of meticulous diagnosis, multidisciplinary planning, tissue-sparing intervention, and compassionate follow-up.
Precision
Sub-millimeter operative corridors, micro-instruments, and image-guided neuro-navigation designed to preserve healthy neural tissue.
Collaboration
Continuous coordination with radiologists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and referring physicians across institutions.
Technology
Integrating modern high-resolution imaging, 3D trajectory modeling, and evidence-based intraoperative protocols.
Continuity
Active post-operative care, progressive physical rehabilitation, and long-term neuroimaging surveillance for durable recovery.
Care Without Borders
Dr. Vitowanu routinely consults on cases originating across West Africa and internationally. For patients living outside Lagos, initial remote neuroimaging reviews provide diagnostic clarity before travel arrangements are finalized.
Peer-Reviewed Research
Evidence-driven surgical practice informed by active clinical investigations and international multicenter trials.
Multiple Skipped Craniospinal Arteriovenous Malformations Complicated with Hydrocephalus and Syringomyelia
A clinical study examining an extremely uncommon presentation where abnormal tangles of blood vessels occur across separate areas of the brain and spine, accompanied by fluid buildup in the brain and spinal cord.
Impact of inflammatory cell ratio, biomarkers, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time on chronic subdural haematoma severity and outcome
Research investigating how specific blood markers and clotting indicators relate to how severe a chronic brain bleed is and how well patients recover after surgical evacuation.
Management of severe pyogenic spinal infections: the 2SICK study by the EANS spine section
An international collaborative study examining how leading neurosurgical centers evaluate and surgically treat severe bacterial infections affecting the spine and spinal cord.
Verified Patient Perspectives
Clinical reflections from patients and families evaluated by Dr. Vitowanu. Published with verified consent.
“When our father began to experience worsening confusion and difficulty moving his left arm weeks after a minor bump, we feared the worst. Dr. Vitowanu explained the CT scan clearly and calmly to our entire family, showing us exactly where the hematoma was pressing on the brain. The surgery was performed with immense care, and within 36 hours his mental clarity returned completely. The honesty, precision, and continuous follow-up gave us peace of mind when we needed it most.”
“I was told elsewhere that I required immediate open brain surgery, which terrified me. I sought a second opinion consultation with Dr. Vitowanu. He spent substantial time examining my angiograms and MRI slices, explaining that my lesion was low-risk and asymptomatic, and that the safest immediate course was serial observation and strict blood pressure control. His commitment to doing what was medically right rather than rushing into an unnecessary operation was profoundly reassuring.”
“Debilitating back pain and fever had rendered me unable to walk for nearly two months. Dr. Vitowanu's multidisciplinary approach with infection specialists and his surgical decompression restored my mobility. The care was thorough from preoperative planning to physical therapy rehabilitation.”
Send your scans.
Gain clinical certainty.
Whether facing a new diagnosis, seeking a second opinion before surgery, or coordinating international care, our team is here to assist.
For acute medical emergencies, contact local emergency services or present directly to the nearest hospital emergency department.