Dr. Walavan Sivakumar, MD

Dr. Sivacumar is the best! Will help you in every way and gives the best patient care.

Dr. Sivakumar is always personable. He explains things clearly so that I have a clear understanding. He puts you at ease, and is extremely knowledgeable. He listens to my concerns, and answers all of my questions. He is the BEST!!! He along with his phenomenal team, saved my life!!! My surgery was a huge success. I am back to my life that I had prior to the removal of my tumor. THANK YOU!!!!

My husband was referred to Dr Sivakumar by another physician. Thank God! Doctor performed a surgery that 2 other neurolosurgeons would not take his case My 90 year old husband is now using his right arm and not dragging his right leg Dr. Sivakumar ‘s knowledge and skills gave my husband back a normal life. We are forever grateful

***Dr. Sivakumar’s team MISDIAGNOSED me with a mental disorder when what I really needed was surgery to remove a symptomatic pineal cyst*** I had been experiencing increasingly frequent and severe headaches (amongst other symptoms) for two years before a 12mm pineal cyst was found on an MRI of my head. I was quickly made aware of the debate within the neuro community about whether or not pineal cysts are capable of producing symptoms - half of my doctors recommended surgically removing the cyst while the other half believed that the cyst was inconsequential. After careful consideration, I decided that I wanted to give surgery a shot because all other medications/treatments had failed to improve my symptoms up to that point and the possibility of an improved quality of life outweighed the potential risks for me. I found two neurosurgeons who were on board with performing surgery, but their surgical schedules were booked out for several months. Consequently, I came across Dr. Sivakumar in my search for a neurosurgeon who had the availability to perform the surgery sooner. Dr. Sivakumar and his team were ultimately of the opinion that the cyst was unlikely the cause of my symptoms. While disappointing, I was not too concerned until his team took it a step farther and diagnosed me with somatic symptom disorder. It was disturbing that Dr. Sivakumar’s team was so quick to write off my medical illness as mental disorder, especially when a symptomatic pineal cyst couldn't be entirely ruled out. A different surgeon ended up operating on me two months ago and my symptoms have since resolved. On the rare occasion that I do have a headache nowadays, it is responsive to medication. It is extremely harmful for patients who are medically ill to have their medical problems mislabeled as mental disorder and it greatly troubles me to think of the unnecessary suffering I would have endured for the rest of my life if I had believed Dr. Sivakumar’s erroneous conclusion that my illness was “all in my head.”

He did an excellent job of explaining my options in very understandable language. He spent quite a bit of time with me and answered all my questions. He subsequently did the surgery to remove my tumor. The entire PNI team is outstanding. My successful surgery was 2 months ago. I cannot say enough about PNI!

Dr. Sivakumar and his whole staff are incredible! I was recommended to him and drove 130 miles to each visit. I am so grateful for him and would drive whatever miles we're necessary to see him! The professionalism, the knowledge, the peace that he gave me after seeing so many doctors! Wow! He made me feel in an instant what other doctors had failed to do! He knew exactly what needed to be done and spoke with care... CARE... is what is missing in doctors today. Dr. S is unique and to me, top in his field! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Keep smiling Doc :)

I have been through 3 brain surgeries with Dr. Sivakumar due to a Pituitary Chordoma. He and his team are amazing. The surgeries are completed endo nasally and there is no visible head/skull scars. My first two surgeries, my inpatient say was two days and the third one was a one day stay. He thorough, caring, incredibly competent in all he does! He explains everything and always allows time for questions. He, as a nuero-surgeon, even has a sense of humor! I would recommend him to anyone needing brain surgery. The team at PNI is excellent and all work well together.

What can you say about the man that gave you your life back! I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia 2 years ago and initially, it was controlled with medication. However, the pain escalated in December 2022 and I was submitted to Little Company of Mary hospital. The pain was so severe that I couldn’t talk or eat, even sips of water triggered a shock. I was given multiple nerve pain medications but to no avail. I was then introduced to Dr. Sivakumar. Previously, I said that I would never go through surgery but I had never experienced pain like this and I knew that I couldn’t live with the pain as it was. Dr Sivakumar went over my options and very clearly explained the process. I trusted him instantly and I basically said yes please, thank you and when can you do the surgery. 2 days later I went through Microvascular Decompression surgery and I’m so happy that I did. It was a huge success! I was sitting up talking, drinking, eating a few hours after surgery and as Dr Sivakumar believes in heal at home, I was discharged the next day. He also took the time to come in to see me, on his day off, before I was discharged. I have not looked back and my family and I will be forever grateful to him and his team for their compassion, caring and loving manner. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time to meet this brilliant surgeon!

Dr. Sivakumar helped me with kindness and clarity in two environments, in the emergency department of the hospital and in his office, where he diagnosed my healing progress. I trusted him completely. I was fortunate to have him for my doctor in my difficult situation.

Dr. Sivakumar and Staff are caring, compassionate, and at the heart of it professionals. They were able to convey my treatment plan in a way that made sense to myself and my husband. I did not feel rushed. I did not feel overwhelmed. They allowed me to call and ask many questions. But I think what makes Dr. Sivakumar and his staff stand apart from the rest, is his bedside manner. He checks in with you. He really cares and wants you to get better. The day of my surgery he went down to the OR just to see how I was doing. That meant so much in my recovery. I felt like I had a doctor that had my best interest in hand. I can’t recommend him and his staff enough. If you are looking for a neurosurgeon please consider him and his team.

First off I'd like to start by saying how thankful to God I am that I feel is such good hands! Finding out I had a brain tumor and that it's something that my mother has dealt with, I was panicked. My mother is still struggling with her issues bit unfortunately at another hospital (County) with different Doctors was not great. I on the other hand was extremely lucky and blessed! When I met my Dr. Sivakumar he saw me laying on my side and seriously told me. I'm going to explain what I'm going to do with you but I need you to understand that in order for you to recover, you can not be laying on your side. I said, oh ok. Got it! He then explained tbe process as to how he and another Dr. Would go through my nose, etc, etc and then after being watched overnight I would go home to recover the very next day. I was like WHAT? He was so serious and affirmative I was just like alright! We got this! I was calm and I knew everything would be ok. He truly is amazing and I'm so thankful!

I had undiagnosed NPH (normal pressure hydrocephalus) for five years. My walking/balance was worsening and my cognitive abilities were becoming impaired. After a CT scan, Dr. Sivakumar correctly diagnosed me with NPH. And, after he performed brain shunt surgery, my walking improved immediately, and my thinking is much clearer. Dr. Sivakumar restored my quality of life, and I am forever grateful! He is the best neurosurgeon in my opinion & highly recommended!!!

Dr Sivakumar performed surgery for clipping of my brain aneurysm and I trusted him totally before surgery and so excited recovering without complication as everyday is so much blessing and amazing to my postop condition On first visit to DR, I felt totally amazed by him after he answered my numerous questions that I understood clearly and solved my concern . Most of all, I felt he totally respected my being there with devastating my condition and choice I had to make with my age ,never felt rushed .

Dr. Wally Sivakumar is so compassionate & a dedicated neurosurgeon! He & his PNI team did an excellent job in treating my son!

I came in for a post surgery visit. Dr Sivakumar and all the staff listen to all my concerns and help me understand. I feel very well taken care of.

I would highly recommend Dr. Sivakumar. He is thorough, caring and my appointments were never rushed. I was especially pleased that he developed a treatment plan for me with options that did not include surgery. These options proved to be very successful. It is a beautiful office and Dr. Sivakumar is supported by a caring and competent staff.

My family and I were completely confident in Dr. Sivakumar. He talked with us both before and after the operation to answer any questions we had and eased our fears.

Doctor Sivakumar is definitely a Five Star physician!

I was getting very confused, and was thinking that I had the beginning of dementia. A neurologist sent me to get an MRI, with the results showing a brain tumor. I was lucky to get Dr. Sivakumar as my surgeon the next morning. I could not have picked a better person. After a 6 hour procedure, he successfully removed the tumor. He was so easy to talk to and really explained everything to me and my family. Thanks to him, I now have my memory back again and leading a normal life. I truly feel that he saved my life.

Dr. Sivakumar provides a comfortable environment for his patients. He enters the examination room with a smile, and always makes me feel like he genuinely cares about my well being. For me, this is extremely important. Then too, I find his staff to be friendly, caring, and professional.