Ilyas Munshi, MD

02/13/2026

01/21/2026

🧠 A Second Chance After a Silent Threat 🧠

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are among the most dangerous conditions in neurosurgery—not because they are common, but because they are often undetected until they rupture. When an AVM bleeds, it can cause sudden brain hemorrhage, permanent neurological damage, or death.

Recently, Dr. Munshi was consulted on a patient with worsening headaches, confusion, and vision loss. Imaging revealed a significant hemorrhage in the back of the brain. He underwent the appropriate workup/evaluation and was consented for surgery.

The patient underwent a left occipital craniotomy to evacuate the hemorrhage and remove the source of bleeding. Despite the life-threatening nature of the rupture, surgery was successful. Post-operative imaging confirmed complete removal of the abnormal blood vessels, no remaining vascular abnormality, and the patient steadily improved.

Today, he is home, walking independently, cleared by therapy, and continuing to regain strength, memory, and visual function. His recovery is a testament to what is possible when advanced neurosurgical care meets timely intervention.

📌 Why this matters:
Hemorrhagic AVMs can strike without warning. Persistent headaches, vision changes, confusion, or sudden neurological symptoms should never be ignored. Early evaluation can save brain function—and lives.

Every recovery like this reinforces our mission: to intervene when it matters most and help patients reclaim their lives.

12/23/2025

⭐Just a reminder to everyone about our holiday hours⭐

🎄We will be open half a day on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve)

🎄Will reopen Friday, December 26, 2025, for our usual half day

🎇We will be open for a half day on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (New Years Eve)

🎇We will reopen Friday, January 2, 2026, for our usual half day

⭐The following week, we will be operating with our usual schedule

Call now to connect with business.

12/18/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Dr. Munshi and Staff

🎅🏻🤶🏻 We even had a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus... Guess that means we made it on the Nice List

12/10/2025

🔹 Do you know how cold weather impacts your spine and joints?

Muscles and joints tighten. Cold causes muscles to contract in an effort to conserve body heat — that contraction leads to increased muscle tension in your back, neck, and shoulders.

Blood flow drops. In cold weather, blood vessels narrow (vasoconstriction), reducing circulation to the muscles and soft tissues around the spine and joints. With less oxygen and nutrients reaching these tissues, they become stiffer and more prone to strain.

Barometric pressure changes. Cold fronts often bring lower air pressure, which can cause soft tissue to expand slightly and press on nerves or sensitive joints — especially in people with prior joint problems or arthritis — increasing discomfort.

🔹 Why winter habits make it worse:

People tend to be less active in winter — less exercise or movement means weaker, less flexible muscles, which reduces support for the spine and joints.

If you do engage in winter-specific activities (like shoveling snow or lifting heavy objects) after a long stretch of inactivity, your cold, tight muscles are at higher risk for strains or injuries.

🔹 What are common winter-related spine and joint problems?

Lower back strain after exertion — especially tasks like shoveling or heavy lifting with cold muscles.

Neck and shoulder tension or stiffness, often from hunching against the cold or tensing up outdoors.

General joint stiffness and reduced mobility. Movements that are easy in warm weather feel harder in the cold.

Worsening of chronic conditions (arthritis, disc problems, sciatic nerve irritation) — cold plus reduced circulation can aggravate existing spine and joint issues.

🔹 What can you do to protect your spine and joints in winter?

Stay warm: Wear layers, especially ones that keep your lower back and torso warm, to prevent muscle tightening.

Warm up before activity: Do gentle stretching or light movements indoors before doing tasks like shoveling or lifting.

Maintain regular exercise and flexibility routines: Even indoor exercises, core strengthening, or stretching help keep your spine and joints resilient.

Stay hydrated: The health of spinal discs and joint tissues depends on proper hydration — even in cold weather.

Consider professional care: For those with chronic back issues or recurring stiffness, regular spinal alignment or soft-tissue work (e.g., from a chiropractor or physical therapist) may help reduce winter-related discomfort.

11/26/2025

🌟 Excellence in Brain Tumor Surgery 🌟

👉 65-year-old woman evaluated by Dr. Munshi for difficulty walking, dizziness, facial pain, and left-sided hearing loss
👉 Imaging showed a 2.8 × 4.0 × 3.2 cm left cerebellopontine angle mass causing compression of surrounding structures
👉 After reviewing findings with the patient and family, the team proceeded with a left posterior fossa craniotomy for tumor resection and biopsy
👉 Surgery included:
✨ Intraoperative neuromonitoring to protect cranial nerves
✨ Stealth navigation for precise, image-guided mapping
✨ Delicate microdissection for safe tumor removal
👉 Result: Near-total resection with preservation of critical structures
👉 Post-op: Patient progressed well with resolution of all pre operative symptoms.

11/07/2025

Happy Halloween from Dr. Munshi and staff!

11/06/2025

💉 Epidural Steroid Injections: Relief from Back and Neck Pain

Did you know epidural injections can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica?

At our office, these minimally invasive procedures are performed safely and comfortably by our experienced providers — right here, without the need for a hospital visit.

If you’re struggling with chronic back or leg pain, talk to us about whether an epidural steroid injection might help you get back to doing what you love. 💪

📞 Call us or send a message to schedule a consultation today!

10/22/2025

🧠✨ Restoring Vision & Health – Pituitary Tumor Successfully Removed ✨🧠

A recent patient came to our office with concerns about vision issues in the left eye. After thorough evaluation and imaging, we discovered a complex diagnosis:

🔍 Enhancing sellar mass with internal hemorrhage
🧠 Extension into the right cavernous sinus
🩸 Complete encasement of the carotid artery
📈 Elevated cortisol levels, suggesting hormonal imbalance

This was diagnosed as a pituitary adenoma, a tumor affecting both vision and hormone function. After careful planning, the patient underwent a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy — a minimally invasive surgical approach through the nasal passages to remove the tumor.

🛠️ Surgical Highlights:

Performed via a transsphenoidal approach (no large incisions)

Removal of the tumor pressing on critical structures, including the optic chiasm

Preservation of the surrounding brain tissue and vessels

✅ The outcome? Excellent results:

Smooth recovery after surgery

Vision stabilized

Hormonal levels are monitored and improving

Post-op imaging showed gross total resection of the sellar tumor

This is a powerful example of how advanced neurosurgical techniques can safely and effectively treat even complex skull base tumors.

08/14/2025

🧠✨ Transformative Spine Surgery – A Journey to Recovery ✨🧠

Dr. Munshi was recently consulted on a patient who came into the hospital struggling with severe cervical spinal cord compression and myelopathy. Their symptoms included:

🚶‍♂️ Difficulty walking with a spastic gait
💪 Weakness and numbness in both arms and legs
🖐️ Complete numbness in both hands

After advanced imaging revealed severe spinal canal narrowing at C5–C7, the patient underwent a complex but highly effective procedure involving anterior corpectomy and fusion of C5/6, C6/7.

🔹 Anterior Cervical Corpectomy at C6 – Removal of the C6 vertebral body
🔹 Discectomy at C5/6 and C6/7 – Removing disc material compressing the spinal cord
🔹 Expandable Cage Placement (C5–C7) – To restore alignment and maintain stability
🔹 Anterior Plate and Screw Fixation – For solid structural support and long-term fusion

✅ The outcome? A remarkable recovery:

✨ Regained upper extremity strength
🖐️ Gradual return of hand sensation
🚶‍♂️ Now ambulating independently
😊 Minimal neck pain (rated 1/10)
🔒 No wound healing issues

This case is a powerful reminder of how targeted, advanced neurosurgical care can restore mobility, strength, and independence.

05/29/2025

Case Presentation of the Week: 48 yo female who presented to our office complaining of posterior cervical pain radiating into the left upper extremity. She had associated weakness of the left upper extremity as well. She had tried medications, physical therapy, and injections with no relief of her pain. MRI of the cervical spine revealed herniated nucleus pulposus at C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7. You can view the pre-op MRI image below. She underwent an Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion (ACDF) which involves cleaning out each disc space and replacing the disc with a new Interbody. The Interbody allowed the spine to maintain its height, but this takes the pressure off the spine. The Interbodies were secured with an anterior plate and screws. You can see the hardware in the post-op X-rays below! The patient did very well post-operatively and was discharged home. At her post-op appointment, she reported significant improvement in her pain. At her 3 month follow-up appointment, she reported resolution of her posterior cervical pain and left upper extremity pain. Her weakness had also improved significantly.

12/19/2024

Happy Holidays from our office to you!