Neurosurgeon in Latvia
where to get treatment, how to verify certification, what this doctor does
- Certification check: State register of medical practitioners (opens in a new window)
- Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association (opens in a new window)
- Noticed outdated info? Report it
A neurosurgeon reviews scan results and discusses whether and when surgery on the brain or spine is needed. The doctor explains the plan for further tests.
The consultation happens over video, so it works the same in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Ventspils and Rēzekne.
No verified doctor in this specialty yet
We check every certificate by hand, so the list grows step by step. Choose another specialty or start with a family doctor.
Other neurosurgeons in Latvia
These doctors have not confirmed their profile yet, so they cannot be booked for now.
- Igors Aksiks
- Kaspars Auslands
- Evija Bergfelde
- Kārlis Bicāns
- Raimonds Bricis
- Viktors Butāns
Known neurosurgeons in Latvia
- Basels Jakubs Vahbe
- Boriss Kools
- Dace Ozola-Azovska
- Evija Bergfelde
- Henrijs Ozoliņš
- Jānis Šlēziņš
- Jūlija Dolgopolova
- Kaspars Auslands
- Matīss Dravnieks
- Raimonds Mikijanskis
- Renārs Putniņš
- Rihards Ļuļēns
This list is partial. Neurosurgery is a small specialty in Latvia, and most of the work is concentrated in two Rīga university hospitals. Any individual doctor's certificate can be checked in the state register (opens in a new window).
When to call 113 instead of booking
- Head injury with loss of consciousness, vomiting or drowsiness.
- A sudden, very severe headache with no clear cause.
- Rapidly progressing leg weakness or inability to walk.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control together with back pain.
- Numbness in the saddle area together with back pain.
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
- Seizures after a head injury.
- Spinal injury with pain and loss of sensation or movement.
The two points about the saddle area and bladder control matter especially: they can indicate a condition where surgery is needed urgently.
What a neurosurgeon treats
A neurosurgeon diagnoses and treats surgical disease of the central and peripheral nervous system. Veselības centru apvienība states that neurosurgeons treat congenital anomalies, trauma, tumours, vascular disease, brain and spine infections, specific forms of stroke, and degenerative spine disease.
- Brain, spinal cord and nerve tumours
- Vascular pathology: aneurysms and malformations
- Head and spine trauma
- Spontaneous intracerebral haematoma
- Hydrocephalus
- Degenerative spine disease, including disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis
- Peripheral nerve damage, including carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome
- Surgical treatment of epilepsy
It matters that neurosurgeons also prescribe non-surgical treatment. Veselības centru apvienība notes this can include painkillers and anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, paravertebral and infiltrative blocks, physiotherapy and lifestyle change. A neurosurgery appointment does not mean surgery is inevitable.
Where surgery happens and with what equipment
| Provider | Volume and equipment |
|---|---|
| Neurosurgery Clinic, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital | The hospital states this clinic performs the largest volume of neurosurgical work in the country. The theatre is equipped with operating microscopes, neuronavigation, stereotaxy, ultrasonic aspirators and nervous system integrity monitors. Intraoperative cerebral angiography is possible, as is fluorescence-guided tumour surgery to visualise tumour margins |
| Neurosurgery ward, Rīga East University Hospital "Gaiļezers" | 50 beds, including 4 enhanced-service rooms and an intensive care room. Two theatres with neuronavigation, intraoperative ultrasound, stereotaxy, two operating microscopes and endoscopic equipment. More than 1,000 operations of varying complexity a year. The ward is a training base for RSU students and residents |
| Rēzekne Hospital | Head and spine surgery, microscopic treatment of disc herniation and spinal stenosis, vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, ventriculoperitoneal shunting for hydrocephalus, cranial defect repair, and peripheral nerve neurolysis |
Glossary
- Neuronavigation
- technology showing exactly where instruments sit relative to brain structures during surgery.
- Stereotaxy
- a method for reaching deep brain structures precisely by coordinates.
- Fluorescence guidance
- a technique helping visualise tumour margins during surgery.
- Disc herniation
- a bulging intervertebral disc that can press on a nerve root.
- Spinal canal stenosis
- narrowing of the spinal canal, causing pain and weakness.
- Vertebroplasty
- stabilising a vertebra with cement, used in osteoporotic fractures.
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
- a shunt placed in hydrocephalus to drain excess fluid.
- Neurolysis
- freeing a nerve from compression.
How someone becomes a neurosurgeon in Latvia
- Six years of medical study and a doctor's degree, at Rīga Stradiņš University (opens in a new window) or the University of Latvia.
- Residency in neurosurgery. Programme page: RSU residency programme (opens in a new window).
- The neurosurgery ward at Rīga East University Hospital is a training base for Rīga Stradiņš University students and residents.
- Some neurosurgeons train further at clinics abroad and take part in European neurosurgical association events.
- The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points, at least 60 per cent tied to the base specialty, plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
- Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.
How to verify this doctor's certificate
- 1Open Health Inspectorate - register of medical practitioners (registri.vi.gov.lv) (opens in a new window).
- 2Enter the surname or practitioner identifier in the search box.
- 3Confirm the listed specialty reads "Neiroķirurgs". Some doctors also describe themselves as vertebrologists, but the register shows the base specialty.
- 4Check the certificate validity date. A permit or an adaptation period is not a certificate.
- 5If anything is unclear, see the register explanation page (opens in a new window).
Where this specialist practises, by city
Rīga
- Neurosurgery Clinic, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (opens in a new window)
with a separate page for the neurosurgery consultation (opens in a new window).
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinic, Rīga East University Hospital (opens in a new window)
at the "Gaiļezers" site.
- Veselības centru apvienība (opens in a new window)
offering state-funded consultations on referral and private ones, with surgery performed at AIWA Clinic.
Rēzekne
- Rēzekne Hospital (opens in a new window)
performing head and spine surgery. The hospital states that its neurosurgeon Imants Oļševskis is one of the few in Latvia performing complex spine operations.
Jelgava
- Zemgales Veselības Centrs (opens in a new window)
with a neurosurgeon-vertebrologist.
Ogre
- Ogre District Hospital (opens in a new window)
where a RAKUS neurosurgeon consults locally.
Choosing between doctors
- A second opinion before surgery. Before major brain or spine surgery a second opinion is accepted practice, and some clinics offer it remotely.
- Type of surgery. Spine surgery, tumour surgery and peripheral nerve surgery are distinct fields, so ask what the individual surgeon does most often.
- Equipment. For complex operations, neuronavigation, stereotaxy and intraoperative monitoring matter.
- Non-surgical treatment. If pain is the main complaint, ask whether the doctor offers blocks and other non-surgical options.
- Regional access. Some regional hospitals host visiting Rīga neurosurgeons, which saves the journey.
What a visit looks like
- Bring all imaging: MRI and CT discs and reports. Without them a neurosurgeon often cannot give an opinion.
- Bring your treatment history, including physiotherapy, injections and current medicines.
- The doctor assesses symptoms, neurological findings and images together, since what appears on a scan does not always explain the complaint.
- The visit covers both surgical and non-surgical options, with their benefits and risks.
- If surgery is planned, recovery and rehabilitation are discussed too.
Cost
In the public system, with a family doctor or specialist referral, a neurosurgery visit costs 4.00 EUR. Inpatient treatment costs 10.00 EUR per day from the second day, capped at 355.00 EUR per illness episode.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Patient co-payment for a neurosurgery visit | 4.00 EUR (Rēzekne Hospital (opens in a new window), National Health Service of Latvia (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Patient co-payment for inpatient care from day two | 10.00 per day EUR (NVD, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Co-payment cap per illness episode | 355.00 EUR (NVD, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Professor or dr. med. consultation | per provider price list EUR (Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Private neurosurgery consultation | per clinic price list EUR (Health Centre Association (VCA) (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
Professional association and oversight
The specialty body is the association "Latvijas Neiroķirurgu biedrība" (Latvian Society of Neurosurgeons), registration number 40008014441, registered address Hipokrāta iela 2, Rīga, LV-1038, email neirokirurgubiedriba@gmail.com.
Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association (opens in a new window). The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.
Patient rights and complaints
If you have doubts about the quality of care, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, a written submission goes to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site (opens in a new window).
FAQ
Do I need a referral to see a neurosurgeon?
A family doctor or specialist referral is needed for a state-funded consultation. No referral is needed for a private paid visit.
Does seeing a neurosurgeon mean surgery?
No. Neurosurgeons frequently prescribe non-surgical treatment, including injections, physiotherapy and medication.
What does a visit cost?
With a referral, 4.00 EUR. Private consultation prices are set by the provider.
Can I get a second opinion before surgery?
Yes. A second opinion before major brain or spine surgery is accepted practice, and some clinics offer remote consultations.
What should I bring?
MRI or CT images and reports, since without them an opinion often cannot be given.
This page was reviewed by Sergejs Ponomarjovs, from the E-Medicīna team. More about us.
Sources, last-reviewed footer and fact-check
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026
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