Marc L. Otten, MD

Dr. Marc Otten is a fellowship-trained, board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in treating disorders and injuries of the brain and spine, both non-surgically and surgically. He also currently serves as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Columbia University Medical Center.

His research and sub-specialty training focus is on brain tumors and his work with patients with degenerative spine disease, intervertebral disc disease, hydrocephalus, and neuro-trauma. He treats meningiomas, pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, craniopharyngiomas, other skull base tumors, gliomas, Chiari malformation, and performs microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Dr. Otten utilizes minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopy, laser ablation, and awake craniotomies to minimize risk to patients.

He works with each patient to determine the best course of treatment that will get them back to the things they love to do as quickly as possible.

Dr. Otten earned his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University, where he graduated with honors. He completed a neurological surgery internship and residency at the Columbia University Neurological Institute of New York, where he was chief resident. He then completed a fellowship at the Minimally Invasive Cranial Base Surgery Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He received specialized training in endoscopic, micro-surgical, and non-operative approaches to brain and spinal disorders there.

Dr. Otten was a cornerstone of the prestigious Brain Tumor Center team at Columbia University for eight years as well as a member of the Pituitary Tumor Center. The Brain Tumor Center at Columbia is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons and is regarded as one of the most comprehensive clinical and research programs dedicated to brain tumors and related conditions. The Pituitary Tumor Center at Center at Columbia is comprised of experts who treat and research all types of pituitary tumors.

Dr. Otten maintains his faculty appointment and privileges to operate at Columbia University. He continues to work with the neuroendocrine and neuro-ophthalmology teams at Columbia, Yale, and other partners in Fairfield and Westchester counties to provide comprehensive care for patients.

His research on non-invasive methods for mapping brain function in patients with brain tumors to help maximize tumor resection, while maintaining optimum safety, has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals. He teaches medical students and fellow neurosurgeons new techniques to remove tumors in minimally invasive ways.

Dr. Otten is a member of the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons, the Congress of Neurosurgeons, and the North American Skull Base Society. He was also a founding member of the Princeton Journal of Bioethics and the NYP/Westchester Hospital ethics committee.