Nirav J Patel, MD

Nirav J Patel, MD

Not currently accepting new patients

4.85098 average rating from 153 patient reviews

Specialties

Affiliation

Mass General Brigham

Provider Locations

  • Boston, MA

Dr. Nirav Patel is an Attending Surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School. He has completed his Neurosurgical Residency at the University of Wisconsin, followed by and Open Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery Fellowship at Macquarie University in Australia, as well and an Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Dr. Patel is an expert in Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) and Moya Moya disease. He also treats complex cranial pathology, aneurysm, stroke, brain bypass, carotid disease, brain tumors, and skull base tumors. Dr. Patel believes it is paramount to know results exactly. He keeps a strict database that he enters each day to ensure patient outcomes are going in the right direction, allowing him to change treatments and know their outcomes. He enjoys the relationships this type of intimate surgery builds and tries to keep them as “friends of life.”

Dr. Patel has been able to share his expertise across the region, being asked to collaborate on difficult cases at Beth Israel Deaconess, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, UMass Medical Center, South Shore Hospital, and UConn Health.He has also seen and treated many patients who initially requested an appointment in order to get a second opinion on a diagnosis.

The Brigham is enrolled in several clinical trials for new techniques, and endovascular equipment, including infrared intraoperative measures of cerebral perfusion, detachable catheter tips, and novel stents and coils. Our team continues to publish results and dig deeper for answers to improve patient care across endovascular, open vascular and tumor disease.

Beyond his love for treating patients by surgery, Dr. Patel committed to helping students, resident and fellows acquire the judgment and skills to continue this work – as others have done for me. To this end, he built a 3D skills lab where he could teach residents and fellows the microsurgical skills needed to safely work with brain blood vessels for bypass and repair. At Brigham, he is directing an animal lab that will join the skull base lab as a resource for our residents to become excellent microsurgeons – before operating on patients in the OR. These labs are even more important in today’s environment where centers of excellence like Brigham are the few remaining places for residents and fellows are able to acquire skills needed for open cerebrovascular surgery. Dr. Patel has been working with colleagues to create courses, deliver lectures and hands on labs for residents across the country.

Lastly, continuing the research tradition of great cerebrovascular surgeons, he wishes to better understand cerebral physiology and neuronal regeneration. To that end, he has studied AVM physiology in surgical rat model. In this model he is also working to find molecular targets in the AVM that can be exploited to sensitize the AVM for radiosurgery. On another front, Dr. Patel is currently looking to publish our work on transgenerational effects of folate on neuronal regeneration, possibly opening mechanisms and targets for pathology across generations.

For second opinions please email AVMsurgeon@bwh.harvard.edu

Education & Training

  • Fellowship: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Endovascular Neurosurgery, 2016
  • Fellowship: Macquarie University Hospital/Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Open Cerebrovascular, 2012
  • Residency: University of Wisconsin Hosptials and Clinics, Neurosurgery, 2011
  • Internship: University of Wisconsin Hospital, General Surgery, 2005
  • Medical Education: Georgetown University Medical School, 2004

Board Certifications

  • Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery

Languages Spoken

  • English

Age Group Treated

  • Adults

Patient Feedback

4.85098 average rating from 153 reviews

  • The doctor seemed like an extraordinary person. Besides being professional, I feel very satisfied and reassured by the diagnosis and the course of action. The same goes for the doctor who saw me before the doctor; she was wonderful, completely professional. I'm very happy with both doctors. I went in first, then the doctor came in. And on another note, I'm... happy, really. I didn't need a nurse or office staff or anything because it wasn't necessary. I just walked in, that's it. Basically, that's all I have to say. I'm very calm and I feel good about everything, how the place was, and it's also very, very nice. It was easy to get in.

    2026-07-01

  • Dr. Patel is the most caring, amazing doctor I have ever dealt with and I am [redacted] years old.

    2026-07-01

  • [redacted] Prior to the visit, I carefully documented my observations regarding the progression of my HFS since our last meeting and prepared a list of questions that I hoped would help me better understand my condition and future treatment options. [redacted]. Throughout the visit, he appeared rushed and did not seem particularly interested in reviewing the notes I had prepared regarding my symptoms and observations. Many of my questions received brief responses, and several were answered with little elaboration. As a result, I left with limited additional understanding of my condition. [redacted] More broadly, I felt there was minimal review of my imaging studies during the visit. The MRI images were discussed only briefly, and the MRA images were not opened until I specifically asked about them. [redacted]

    2026-06-28

  • Outstanding medical professional with compassionate and empathetic patient care

    2026-06-24

  • This was a follow up visit with the surgeon after my operation. Everything went fine and he gave me good news.

    2026-06-23

  • Beautiful work organise, l love my hospital ??

    2026-06-17

  • Dr. Patel put my mind at ease about my symptoms and how we can correct them.

    2026-06-11

  • Excellent doctor, I would highly recommend him to others.

    2026-06-10

  • Dr. Patel and his staff are extremely competent, respectful, and I felt that I received excellent care. I'm very appreciative of it. Thank you.

    2026-06-05

  • Very professional, knowledgeable and courteous with a helpful holistic approach.

    2026-06-05

  • Dr. Patel is an extremely caring and he is so talented and he has the best bedside manner of any doctor I've ever seen and he literally saved my life. So I think he's amazing.

    2026-06-05

  • Explained things clearly; very accommodating

    2026-06-04

  • Wonderful doctor and great staff Very grateful for all the help

    2026-06-03

  • Extraordinary doctor combining outstanding expertise with deep compassion and human understanding. Thank you very much!

    2026-05-29

  • Best experience ever

    2026-05-28

  • Dr Patel is the best so far Very nice Dr

    2026-05-27

  • Not much to say, except the provider very happful in my present condition.

    2026-05-27

  • Awesome

    2026-05-27

  • Very compassionate, knowledgeable individual

    2026-05-24

  • Dr. Patel and his physician assistant,[redacted] and [redacted] were highly experienced, professional and listened to my concerns. Dr.Patel was very thorough and understandable in his explanation of the findings. [redacted] Great Team!

    2026-05-09

  • My provider is very kind, caring, and a good listener. We never felt rushed during the visit.

    2026-05-08

  • I think he is a professional with a good heart and he makes me feel like he cares. I like him very much.

    2026-05-06

  • I trust them

    2026-04-29

  • Very kind and showing care and empathy, listening to all are questions, very friendly and explain everything with details and words we can understand, not rushing at all.

    2026-04-29

  • I've been with this care provider for over five years and they have always, this department neurology has always been compassionate, understanding and appropriate handling of my case, my situation, my sickness and I would recommend them to all my family and friends if they ever have any neurological problems. Thank you.

    2026-04-24

  • Dr Patel is without doubt the best care provider I've had experience with. He ie gentle in manner and speech, clear, respectful, explains things when necessary and visits with him are comfortable. His reputation is exceptional and I have referred other appropriate patients to him for these reasons.

    2026-04-22

  • I'm a retired pediatrician and I've had two neurosurgeries with Dr. Patel. I think he's the best doctor I've ever been to and I have total respect for him. He's awesome and I have nothing bad to say. Yeah, he's the greatest and I owe him my life.

    2026-04-17

  • Dr. Patel was professional, knowledgeable, personable and friendly . He ensured all my questions were answered and that I understood my condition.

    2026-04-16

  • Excellent all the way around!

    2026-04-16

  • very professional, excellent

    2026-04-15

  • Dr Patel is not only knowledgeable but very kind.

    2026-04-15

  • He was absolutely amazing and thorough! Great bedside manners!

    2026-04-01

  • The entire staff was very respectful and very nice.

    2026-03-18

  • Hes a great Dr. Hes kind, listens and is very competent

    2026-02-26

  • Yes, I received very good care from Dr. Patel and company and he followed up and made sure that I was kept in a loop all the way through. Thank you.

    2026-02-20

  • Very thorough and thoughtful

    2026-02-18

  • She was the best doctor. I had the best experience in my life. Everything was nice. They were real nice to me.

    2026-02-18

  • Dr. Patel was very knowledgeable, explained everything so that I could understand it, and he had a wonderful bedside manner along with a great sense of humor.

    2026-02-06

  • I am very grateful to Dr Patel and his wonderfully supportive and attentive PA for seeing me so promptly and helping me know what my next steps should be in pursuing medical care for the Subdural bleed that caused me to pass out while skiing. Thank you both.

    2026-02-04

  • Took his time to see me, was very knowledgeable and helpful and answered all my questions in full.

    2026-01-22

  • Dr. Patel was extraordinary. He carefully reviewed my MRI results and spent considerable time doing so. His friendly nature and warm concern were greatly appreciated.

    2025-12-26

  • The neurosurgeon was very professional and knowledgeable about all aspects of my health issues. Additionally, I felt absolutely confident about his explanations about my medical condition and brain. It was a wonderful question and answer discussion. I felt very comfortable with the fact that he used the medical terminology and explained it in layman's terms. I was a little anxious prior to meeting with him however his PA was welcoming and notified me that there was a slight delay in meeting with him because he was still meeting with another patient prior to me. She also asked me several questions regarding my medical issue and history. I was calmer at that point because I realized that I would be the entire focus and not have to worry about being rushed. This doctor clarified several questions and misunderstandings that I had. When I left his office, I had a complete picture and understanding about what is near my brain and what will be continually monitored by my oncologist.

    2025-12-24

  • Dr. Patel listened and answered all my questions I was very pleased with the answers and outcome

    2025-12-17

  • Dr Patel listened to all my concerns, made me feel very comfortable, explained everything to me and made sure I understood. He was very friendly and I never felt like I was being rushed out.

    2025-12-11

  • He was able to assess the situation with confidence and put to rest the concerns raised by another physician.

    2025-12-11

  • Very nice Dr Patel, very kind and very very professional

    2025-11-26

  • Good experience, knowledgeable, pleasant.

    2025-11-26

  • wonderful!

    2025-11-20

  • Very pleased and reassuring. Care and concerns addressed promptly.

    2025-11-19

  • I could'nt be more pleased with the treatment and results.

    2025-11-19

  • My wife and I were very, very impressed with Dr Patel. He clearly had spent time reviewing my records and was totally prepared to discuss my case and what his recommendation going forward was. He asked what questions or concerns we had. Dr Patel made sure we both were comfortable with our discussion. It was one of the most satisfying visits we've had. [redacted]

    2025-11-13

  • Dr. Patel clearly explained my situation, respectfully listened to my concerns, and patiently pointed out on my brain imagery what he observed. Succinct and warm delivery. I am deeply grateful to him and his team. How fortunate we are to have such talent in neurosurgery.

    2025-11-06

  • Great doctor, very good visit

    2025-11-06

  • (1)Dr Patel arranged for me to have a MRI performed in the morning at BWH and then saw me in the afternoon to discuss the MRI. This was extremely efficient and I appreciated it. (2)My husband, Dr Patel, and I then discussed whether or not it made sense for me to undergo brain surgery and decided in the negative, given the fact that I appear to be asymptomatic for this kind of tumor, given my age, and given the size of the tumor which seems to have remained unchanged since last year. I was relieved and grateful that Dr Patel was not pressuring me to undergo such a major operation.

    2025-11-06

  • He was so kind and concerned

    2025-10-29

  • Dr. Patel was excellent explaining and listening. Very friendly and did not rush.

    2025-10-29

  • The doctor was very knowledgeable. He had amazing bedside manner. He was pleasant to work with in every way and made me feel comfortable and explained everything.

    2025-10-24

  • Wonderfully caring and very responsive!

    2025-10-23

  • Amazing on time and attentive.

    2025-10-22

  • Took a while to get in to see him, but Dr Patel was great. He explained things well and I left there feeling much better.

    2025-10-19

  • From first arriving from the parking attendants to seeing the doctor and everyone in between were outstanding! I was very nervous and everyone helped me and made me at ease.

    2025-10-16

  • Excellent

    2025-10-16

  • Outstanding

    2025-10-15

  • Dr Patel clearly explained my dural AVF and his proposed treatment plan. His manner and assurancess provided me with a great deal of comfort and relief from the stress that I had prior to my visit. My surgery is scheduled and I am very confident that I am in very good hands.

    2025-10-01

  • Dr Patel was clear, very receptive to our comments and respectful

    2025-10-01

  • He was very explicit as to my situation

    2025-09-26

  • Dr. Patel was very thorough in his explanations and also guidance for further care. I felt I was in good hands in all aspects of my appointment.

    2025-09-26

  • he was excellent in his way of communication and listened very intently and caringly.

    2025-09-25

  • I had a very nice experience!

    2025-09-25

  • I was very happy to know tht I was going to be alright! I left very blessed an happy !

    2025-09-25

  • Dr. Patel and the entire Neurological staff are stellar. Everyone makes you feel comfortable and cares about their patients. The MRI/MRA team never fails to make you comfortable and cared for!!!! I would recommend this group to anyone!!!!

    2025-09-24

  • Dr. was pleasant,friendly,courteous, gentle and respectful.

    2025-09-24

  • This professional spoke his mind in 10 seconds. I tried to ask, but he stopped and said, "No, no ...

    2025-09-10

  • Excellent care from all staff. Even able to supply us with a wheelchair during visit

    2025-09-05

  • Truly outstanding. Clear, very informative and approachable with questions.

    2025-09-04

Accepted Insurance

  • Tufts Medicare Preferred
  • Wellpoint
  • Medicaid VT
  • Aetna
  • Medicaid RI
  • Fallon Health
  • Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
  • Medicaid ME
  • Senior Whole Health
  • Medicare
  • United Health Care
  • TriCare
  • WellSense
  • Medicaid NH
  • Multiplan
  • Coventry
  • Railroad Medicare
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MassHealth
  • Cigna
  • Commonwealth Care Alliance
  • Humana
  • Beech Street
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • Medicaid CT