
Brian Gantwerker, M.D.
Dr. Brian R. Gantwerker's expertise concerns the treatment of degenerative and traumatic diseases of the brain and spine. His practice focuses on traumatic spine and spinal cord injury, degenerative spinal diseases, stereotactic radiosurgery, trigeminal neuralgia, and brain tumors. He is highly committed to applying newly advanced techniques for brain and spine treatment. The surgeon's proficiency is in brain and spinal surgery techniques, both minimally invasive and complex. Dr. Brian R. Gantwerker completed a neurosurgical residency at the University Hospital of Cleveland and researched spinal cord regeneration with stem cells at Case Western School of Medicine. Afterward, in 2009, he was engaged in a complex spine fellowship at the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Dr. Brian R. Gantwerker is a member of numerous distinguished professional societies, such as the American Medical Association, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the North American Spine Society.
Respected and admired in his field, Dr. Brian R. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles. He has also appeared on television and radio interviews and has instructed undergraduates, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics and neuroanatomy. His specialties include complex spine surgery, minimally invasive surgery, as well as the treatment of brain tumors, neck pain, back pain, and slipped discs. The surgeon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, which he earned with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1997. Prior to practicing in the state of California, Dr. Brian R. Gantwerker had a medical license for Arizona, Illinois, and Ohio. He is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. The surgeon has over 20 years of professional experience.
Procedures Dr. Brian R. Gantwerker Performs at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital
Insurance Accepted
- Blue Cross / Blue Shield
Languages Spoken
- English
- French
- Spanish
Education & Training

Medical Degree
Rush Medical College of Rush University

Internship(s)
Case Western Reserve - General Surgery

Residency(ies)
Case Western Reserve University - Neurosurgery

Fellowship(s)
Barrow Neurological Institute - Complex Spinal Neurosurgery
Memberships & Affiliations




Publications & Media
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Computed tomography analysis of thoracolumbar fractures based on axial zones.
Baaj AA, Gantwerker BR, Vale FL, Theodore N, Dickman CA, Crawford NR, Sonntag VKH. Computed tomography analysis of thoracolumbar fractures based on axial zones. (abstract accepted for publication to Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques)
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Craniocervical junction instability after lateral approach of the craniocervical junction.
Gantwerker BR, Dickman CA, Sonntag VKH. Craniocervical junction instability after lateral approach of the craniocervical junction. In: George, Bruneau, Spetzler, Pathology and Surgery around the vertebral artery. Springer-Verlag, France, 2011
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Tandem intercostal thoracic schwannomas resected using a thoracoscopic nerve-sparing technique.
Gantwerker BR and Dickman CA. Tandem intercostal thoracic schwannomas resected using a thoracoscopic nerve-sparing technique. Neurosurgery. 69(1):E225-E229, July 2011
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Vertebral artery injury during cervical discectomy and fusion in a patient with bilateral anomalous arteries in the disc space.
Case Report: Vertebral artery injury during cervical discectomy and fusion in a patient with bilateral anomalous arteries in the disc space. Neurosurgery. 67(3):E874-E875, September 2010