Degenerative and compressive spinal conditions
Assessment and non-surgical or surgical treatment of age-related and degenerative conditions that may cause pain, functional limitations or neurological impairment.
Neurosurgery · Spine care
Dr. Arthur Poetscher
Personalized evaluation and care for spinal conditions, with careful consideration of when surgery is — and is not — appropriate.
About my practice
I am a neurosurgeon with more than 30 years of experience, primarily focused on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions. I care for adults with degenerative, compressive and tumoral diseases of the spine, spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and other complex conditions. I also evaluate patients who have questions about the need for, timing of or extent of a proposed operation.
My clinical approach considers symptoms, neurological examination and imaging together. An MRI finding alone does not necessarily require surgery. When an operation is considered, the expected benefits and risks, age, other health conditions, functional status and the patient’s own goals all matter.
I also see patients for general neurosurgical conditions, particularly older adults, taking frailty, other medical conditions and individual priorities into account.
I graduated from the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, where I also completed my neurosurgery residency and a master’s degree in neurology. I earned a doctorate in health sciences at the Albert Einstein Israelite Institute for Education and Research and spent one year at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. I remain involved in research, medical education and scientific review. Academic CV (Lattes/CNPq).
Areas of practice
Spinal tumors
Assessment, treatment and follow-up of tumors of the spine, spinal cord, cauda equina and nerve roots.
Spinal CSF leaks
Investigation and treatment of spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks, considering their location, clinical symptoms and neurological effects.
Complex cases and repeat surgery
Careful reassessment of the diagnosis or prior treatment, including persistent or recurrent symptoms after spine surgery.
Second opinions on spine surgery
Independent review of a proposed operation, available alternatives, expected goals, risks and limitations.
General neurosurgery
Additional neurosurgical care, with particular attention to older patients and their overall health and functional status.
A second opinion before spine surgery
A second opinion is an independent medical evaluation. It may help clarify the diagnosis, whether surgery is needed, whether non-surgical options remain, the timing and scope of an operation and the benefits and risks that can realistically be expected.
The review includes your clinical history, neurological examination, treatments already tried and available imaging. When possible, I review the images themselves, not only the written reports. The assessment may confirm the original recommendation, suggest a different approach or recommend further investigation. Seeking a second opinion does not require you to change your treating physician.
Full second-opinion page (Portuguese)Preparing for your visit
When available, bring:
- Current and earlier MRI, CT and X-ray images, ideally with access to the full image files.
- Imaging reports, medical records and prescriptions.
- A list of treatments already tried and medicines currently taken.
- Details of previous surgery and other medical conditions.
- Information about any proposed operation.
Appointments are scheduled in advance. Please arrive about 30 minutes early, as access to the hospital may take time. If you develop fever, a runny nose or other flu-like symptoms in the preceding 48 hours, contact the office before your visit.
Appointments and location
Individual consultations by appointment at the Vicky and Joseph Safra Ambulatory Medicine Center, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo.
Av. Albert Einstein, 627 — Block A1, Room 520São Paulo, SP 05652-900, Brazil
Office entrance: Rua Ruggero Fasano, s/n.
Private consultations and consultations for Einstein Corporate beneficiaries. Telephone service Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. (São Paulo local time).
Other numbers: +55 11 2151-3308 · +55 11 2151-5308
Email: contato@poetscher.com.br · Office WhatsApp: +55 11 97129-4407 (administrative enquiries only; replies Monday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Tuesday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., São Paulo local time).
Please do not send scans, diagnoses or other sensitive health information by email or WhatsApp; use these channels for scheduling and administrative enquiries only.
Urgent symptoms: New or worsening weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms require prompt assessment at an emergency department.