Walavan Sivakumar, MD

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About Dr. Sivakumar

Walavan Sivakumar, MD, FAANS, is a fellowship-trained and board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex cranial surgery, with a focus on minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. He provides treatment for tumors of the brain, skull-base, and pituitary in addition to cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and carotid stenosis. He employs the “keyhole” technique, utilizing advanced technology and microsurgical techniques to minimize collateral damage to the brain.

Dr. Sivakumar has over 50 peer-reviewed publications. A local and national level speaker, he has received numerous awards for research in cranial surgery and tumor biology from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), Rocky Mountain and Western Neurosurgical Societies. His current research focuses on enhanced recovery after cranial surgery and skull base surgery outcomes. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery and Frontiers in Surgery (Neurosurgery section).

Dr. Sivakumar is a Los Angeles Top Doctor, Southern California Super Doctor, selected as one of the 25 Rising Stars in Medicine by Medscape, and in the 2023 Becker’s Spine Review’s top 10 spine neurosurgeons under 45 to know.

Career Highlights

A Los Angeles Native, Dr. Sivakumar completed his undergraduate studies in Neuroscience at UCLA. He attained his MD with distinction from USC, being elected to the Skull and Dagger All University Honor Society and Order of Arete, the highest honor given to a USC graduate student. He also served as student body president during medical school and was awarded the National Leadership Award by the American Medical Association (AMA).

He completed his residency training at the University of Utah. He returned to Southern California to complete his fellowship training in Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery with Dr. Daniel Kelly at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute in 2016.

Nationally, Dr. Sivakumar currently sits on the Executive Committees of the AANS and AANS/CNS Section on Tumors, as well as chairing the Early Career Neurosurgeons Committee of the AANS. He has a deep interest in neurosurgical trainee education, having served on the national Liaison Committee on Medical Education and is involved in the Clinical/Neurosurgical Fellowship at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute.

For a consultation or second opinion, Dr. Sivakumar’s office staff may be reached at 424-212-5361.