Dr. Italo Linfante, MD is a Neurosurgeon dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Neurosurgical care for older adults. He practices at Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care | Kendall (Suite 407W) in Miami, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in senior health, Dr. Linfante understands the unique needs of this population. A general neurosurgeon possesses specialized expertise in diagnosing and surgically treating a wide range of complex neurological conditions common in older adults, such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and brain tumors, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and healthcare team to ensure the best possible outcome. He serves older adults (typically 65 and over) and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (786) 345-7208 to schedule an appointment.
With over 35 years of dedicated experience in Neurosurgical care, Dr. Italo Linfante brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from the University of Roma-La Sapienza, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1987, completing an internship at Georgetown University Medical Center and residency training in Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults. He further specialized through fellowship training in Harvard, deepening his expertise in a specific area of patient health. He is Board Certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and fluent in both Italian and English. Miami Neuroscience Institute, where he is the director of interventional neuroradiology, offers comprehensive and compassionate treatment for neurological conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. From non-surgical treatments and minimally invasive procedures to complex brain and spine surgery, the Institute embraces a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Dr. Linfante also offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Italo Linfante is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Linfante is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive neurosurgical care with a focus on the individual. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and the entire healthcare team, offering specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of neurological conditions, including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and brain tumors, to ensure the best possible outcome and quality of life for each patient.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Italo Linfante can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- PHCS Network PPO
- UniCare
- UniCare PPO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Italo Linfante provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Cervical Spine Myelopathy: Cervical spine myelopathy is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck that puts pressure on the spinal cord, causing symptoms like weakness or numbness; medical interventions, such as surgery, aim to ease these symptoms and enhance daily living.
- Herniated Disc: Managing a herniated disc often involves pain relief, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery to reduce pressure on affected nerves and improve your overall quality of life, allowing you to maintain daily functions.
- Aneurysm: If an aneurysm is detected early, it can be carefully monitored or treated to prevent a potentially devastating rupture and ensure your continued health and independence.
- Cerebral Artery Thrombosis: Cerebral artery thrombosis is a serious condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, potentially leading to a stroke; prompt medical attention is crucial for minimizing brain damage and improving recovery.
- Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can cause back pain and stiffness, and sometimes surgery may be needed to correct it and improve mobility.
- Myelopathy: Myelopathy is a condition where the spinal cord is squeezed or injured, potentially causing pain, weakness, and coordination problems; surgical intervention, when needed, can help relieve pressure and lessen these symptoms.
- Brain Cancer: Brain cancer treatment plans focus on improving a senior's quality of life and preserving their independence; these plans often involve surgery, medication, or radiation therapy, tailored to the specific tumor and the individual's overall health.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease involves the gradual breakdown of the spinal discs, sometimes resulting in discomfort and reduced function, but treatments like physical therapy can help maintain your independence.
- Intracranial Arterial Stenosis: If you have intracranial arterial stenosis, it means the arteries in your brain are narrower than they should be, potentially affecting blood supply. Working closely with your doctor on treatment options like medication or procedures can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Stroke: Recovering from a stroke takes time and effort, but with therapy and support, many seniors regain abilities and enjoy a fulfilling life afterwards; support groups are a valuable resource.
- Cerebrovascular Disease: Early detection and treatment of cerebrovascular disease are crucial to prevent strokes and maintain cognitive function, allowing you to enjoy your independence and daily activities.
- Acoustic Neuroma: An acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that grows on the balance and hearing nerve, often causing hearing loss, dizziness, and ringing in the ears, but thankfully, treatment options such as surgery or observation can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Italo Linfante offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Angiography: Angiography is a specialized X-ray procedure that uses a contrast dye to visualize blood vessels in the brain and spine, helping doctors pinpoint the location and severity of conditions like aneurysms or blockages impacting senior patients.
- Cerebral Angiography: If you are experiencing symptoms related to your brain's blood vessels, cerebral angiography helps doctors pinpoint the exact location and nature of the problem, guiding effective management.
- Carotid Artery Stent Placement: Carotid artery stent placement is a minimally invasive procedure that helps improve blood flow to the brain by opening narrowed arteries, reducing the risk of stroke in seniors.
- Repair Intracranial Aneurysm: Repairing an intracranial aneurysm helps prevent a potentially life-threatening brain bleed in older adults.
- Stenting: In certain cases, stenting can be a valuable tool in the ongoing management of stroke or other cerebrovascular diseases in seniors, improving blood flow to the brain.
- Intracranial Vessels Stenting: This procedure helps manage symptoms caused by narrowed brain arteries, such as dizziness, weakness, or memory problems, thus improving a senior's quality of life.
- Brain Surgery: Brain surgery can help seniors regain lost function and alleviate symptoms caused by a variety of neurological conditions, contributing to their overall well-being.
- Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Repair: Intracranial AVM repair surgery is a crucial step in preventing future health crises for seniors, ensuring a higher quality of life and increased longevity by addressing a serious condition proactively.
- Aneurysm Embolization: Aneurysm embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that helps prevent a brain aneurysm from rupturing by blocking blood flow to it, reducing the risk of a life-threatening stroke.
- Vascular Transcatheter Embolization: For seniors with brain aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), transcatheter embolization offers a less invasive way to block blood flow to these areas, reducing the risk of rupture or hemorrhage.
- Intracranial Vessel Angioplasty and Stenting: This procedure helps doctors assess and treat narrowed brain arteries, a common problem in older adults, by widening the vessels to ensure sufficient blood flow and potentially prevent serious complications like stroke.
- Embolization of Tumor: Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that helps shrink brain tumors by blocking their blood supply, improving a senior's quality of life and reducing symptoms.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Neurosurgeries in Florida.
Dr. Italo Linfante is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- Following surgical intervention for cervical spine myelopathy, a senior was thrilled to resume playing the piano, a cherished hobby that had been difficult to maintain due to pain and weakness. The family felt immense relief knowing their loved one could enjoy this activity again.
- After experiencing debilitating back pain from a herniated disc, a senior was able to resume their beloved weekly bridge club meetings, enjoying the social interaction and mental stimulation.
- Knowing an aneurysm was being carefully monitored, the patient felt a renewed sense of security in their home, allowing them to resume their favorite hobby of gardening, a source of great joy.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Neurosurgical care with Dr. Italo Linfante:
- What is a Neurosurgeon, and how are they different from a Neurologist?
- A neurosurgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in performing surgery on the brain, spine, and nerves. Unlike a neurologist, who diagnoses and treats neurological conditions with medication and non-surgical therapies, neurosurgeons focus on surgical interventions. They often work together as a team to provide the best possible care.
- Does seeing a neurosurgeon always mean I will need surgery?
- Absolutely not. A large part of a neurosurgeon's job is diagnosis and determining the best course of treatment, which may not always involve surgery. Dr. Linfante often recommends conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, and only considers surgery when necessary.
- What can I expect during my first consultation with Dr. Italo Linfante?
- Your first consultation with Dr. Linfante will be a thorough diagnostic process. We will review your symptoms, conduct a detailed neurological exam, and carefully examine any imaging studies (like MRIs or CT scans). This comprehensive evaluation will help us determine the best path forward, whether surgical or non-surgical.
- What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for?
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical therapy used to manage movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or essential tremor, when medications are no longer sufficient. It works by implanting a small device that sends electrical signals to help control tremors and other motor symptoms, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
- What is a laminectomy?
- A laminectomy is a common spine surgery that removes a small piece of bone from a vertebra to create more space in the spinal canal. This relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often easing pain from conditions like spinal stenosis.
- Can you help with carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Dr. Linfante and our neurosurgery team are experts in peripheral nerve issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome. We can diagnose and treat it, often with conservative measures like bracing. If symptoms persist, a simple outpatient surgical release can relieve pressure on the nerve.
- What types of spine problems do you treat?
- Dr. Linfante's practice treats common age-related spine conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica, which often cause significant back or leg pain. We focus on relieving pressure on the nerves to reduce pain and improve patients' ability to walk and stay active.
- What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
- Minimally invasive spine surgery is an advanced technique using smaller incisions and specialized instruments. This approach results in less muscle damage, reduced pain, and a potentially faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery, which is especially beneficial for seniors.
Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care | Kendall (Suite 407W)
8950 N Kendall Dr Ste 407W
Miami FL 33176
Phone: (786) 345-7208
Dr. Italo Linfante, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1073549705
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Neurosurgeries like Dr. Italo Linfante are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.