About
Thirty years in neurosurgery, in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. This page is the record: where I trained, what I hold, and how I work.
Training & career
I graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin in 1996, and went on to complete a Master of Science in Trauma Surgery at the University of Birmingham.
Between 2000 and 2002 I was the Walton Neuroscience Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and the Clatterbridge Cancer Research Centre, working under Professor Peter Warnke and Dr Carol Walker. My research was in molecular neuro-oncology — glioma biology, radiological response to radiotherapy, and prognostic factors in low- and high-grade gliomas. That period is what made me a neuro-oncologist rather than a surgeon who removes tumours.
I trained as a Specialist Registrar across Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, and was appointed Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Lead in Neuro-Oncology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where I practised until 2014. While there I founded the Aberdeen FRCS (SN) Viva Course, which has since prepared neurosurgeons from the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa for their exit examinations.
I returned to Malaysia in 2014 and have practised at Sunway Medical Centre since. The Centre has intraoperative MRI, neuronavigation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit — the resources needed to practise the full range of cranial and spinal neurosurgery to the standard I trained for.
My clinical focus is brain tumour surgery with intraoperative mapping and awake craniotomy, pituitary and skull base surgery, neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular neurosurgery, spinal degenerative disease, and trigeminal neuralgia.
The same thirty years told as a story, with the cases and what they taught me →
How I work
I believe the first consultation is the most important one. My job in that meeting is not to impress you with terminology or statistics. It is to sit down with you — and your family, if they are there — and explain, in plain language, what the scan shows, what it means, and what the options are.
I do not believe in rushing. A diagnosis involving the brain or spine is a frightening moment for anyone. The least I can do is give you the time you need to understand it, ask questions, and make a decision you feel confident about.
Surgery, when it is needed, is only one part of the relationship. The follow-up, the monitoring, the scans, and the phone calls matter just as much. My patients know they can reach me or a member of my team when they need to.
In his own words
From an interview for What I've Learned, reproduced with permission.
On the first operation
I did my first surgery with trepidation. My legs were shaking. It was my first craniotomy on my own. Not only was the case difficult, time was of the essence as well. If I had delayed the operation, it may have compromised the patient's recovery or even cost the patient his or her life. It was a huge responsibility. I'm pleased to say that the patient recovered well.
On anatomy
I enjoy anatomy. To see the beauty from within the human body as well as the intricacies and the connectivity of the brain is spectacular, especially when it's the brain that defines what we are all about.
On self-doubt
As a Malaysian doctor in the UK, there weren't many doubts about my capabilities. I think that doubt came from within. Having sat on the opposite end of an interview panel, I can see that some people, especially those from other parts of the world, come to the UK with a victim mentality. They always feel that they are second-class citizens. That's one big lesson that I've learned.
On delivering bad news
My way of delivering bad news is that I'm always honest about it. I don't beat around the bush. I just say it. It may not be to some people's taste, but so far, I've not had any complaints. My patients appreciate the honesty.
On every case
Every case that I've encountered gives me a new opportunity to learn and improve myself. I've encountered so many difficult cases, but which one stands out? I don't think I can name one; each and every one is special to me.
On the patient behind the case
It's not just the case, but also the person whom I am operating on. I remember the case of a young executive whom I had to perform a 12-hour brain surgery on. It just so happened that her daughter was due to get her exam results two days later. It was a rather difficult moment, because I wasn't just treating her, but her family as well.
Interview by Sim Wie Boon. Quoted with Dr Syed's permission.