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Adult elective spine care • specialist second opinion

Complex Spine Second Opinion with Prof. Peter Banczerowski

A structured review of your clinical records and relevant imaging, followed by an English-language online consultation and written next-step summary for complex adult spine conditions.

Request Free Spine Case Screening See What Is Included

Free administrative screening • fixed €390 specialist-review package • expedited specialist-review coordination for suitable cases, subject to complete records and specialist availability

Professor Peter Banczerowski, spinal surgeon — Prof. Peter Banczerowski, MD, PhD
Head of Spinal Surgery Department and Center for Spinal Surgery
Professor and Head, Department of Neurosurgery, Semmelweis University

SCOPE

Full case-file review
Clinical records and relevant imaging

CONSULTATION

30–60 minutes online
English-language appointment

DELIVERABLE

Written clinical summary
Reviewed options and next steps

REVIEW COORDINATION

Expedited coordination
Earliest practical review request

When waiting is part of the problem

Get a senior spine-surgery perspective without avoidable administrative delay

Long waiting lists can leave patients uncertain about whether surgery is indicated, whether another technique should be considered, or whether a previous recommendation is still appropriate.

Healwise prepares a review-ready case file, identifies missing records and coordinates an appointment request directly for a senior specialist review. For suitable cases with complete documentation, we request the earliest practical review slot.

This is expedited pathway coordination—not a promise of medical priority, a guaranteed appointment date or guaranteed treatment. Timing depends on clinical suitability, record completeness and specialist availability.

This pathway may be useful when:

you have been advised to consider spine surgery and want an expert second opinion;
symptoms persist or recur after previous surgery;
different specialists have proposed different treatment approaches;
you are waiting for specialist assessment and want a structured review of the available evidence;
the case involves deformity, instability, tumour or another complex elective spine problem;
you want to understand whether a minimally invasive spine surgery approach may be relevant.

The specialist-review package

What is included

The complex spine second opinion package combines senior clinical review with the preparation and coordination work needed to make the consultation useful.

Free administrative screening to assess whether this review pathway appears suitable.
Case-file preparation, including a structured overview and identification of missing records.
Full review of relevant clinical records and imaging supplied in a technically reviewable format.
30–60 minute English online consultation focused on the decision that needs clarification.
Written clinical summary of the reviewed issues, options and next-step considerations.
Healwise coordination support before the review and, if required, for appropriate next steps.

Fixed package

€390

No payment is required for the initial administrative screening. Payment is requested only after the pathway appears suitable and the required records are confirmed.

Request Free Screening

Your reviewing specialist

Professor Peter Banczerowski

Spinal surgeon with more than 30 years of clinical experience.

Professor Banczerowski leads the Spinal Surgery Department and Center for Spinal Surgery and is Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Semmelweis University.

His work includes complex spinal disorders, spinal oncology, degenerative conditions, deformity and the development and clinical application of modern and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Selected professional roles and experience

Head, Spinal Surgery Department and Spinal Surgery Team
Founder and Program Director, Center for Spinal Surgery
Professor and Head, Department of Neurosurgery, Semmelweis University
Education Director at a national institute for neurology, neurosurgery and mental health in Hungary
Extensive experience in specialist education and advanced neurosurgical and spine-surgery techniques

Institutional titles describe Professor Banczerowski’s professional affiliations. The specialist consultation is coordinated by Healwise under this pathway; institutional affiliation does not imply institutional endorsement of Healwise or guarantee admission or treatment.

Adult elective spine cases considered

cervical or lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis;
degenerative spine disease, instability or spondylolisthesis;
persistent or recurrent symptoms after previous spine surgery;
adult spinal deformity and complex reconstruction questions;
benign or malignant spinal tumours;
selected minimally invasive spine surgery questions;
other complex elective spinal conditions.

Not appropriate for this pathway

acute spinal trauma;
new paralysis, rapidly progressive weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control;
suspected cauda equina syndrome or another medical emergency;
requests for prescriptions, certificates or emergency medical advice;
cases without enough information to support a meaningful specialist review.

Urgent or rapidly worsening symptoms require immediate local emergency assessment.

Prepare your case

What records are useful?

You can request screening even if some records are missing. Healwise will identify the most important gaps before payment and specialist review.

Clinical records

current diagnosis and clinical summary;
recent spine-surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic or neurology reports;
description of symptoms, neurological changes and functional limitations;
current medication list and relevant medical history.

Imaging

relevant MRI and/or CT reports;
original DICOM imaging files where available;
standing X-rays or dynamic imaging where relevant;
older comparative studies if symptoms or anatomy have changed.

Previous treatment and surgery

operative reports and discharge summaries;
implant details where applicable;
physiotherapy, injections or other non-surgical treatment history;
previous recommendations and the specific decision that now needs clarification.

What the review can help clarify

Does the available information support a surgical assessment?
Is further imaging or another diagnostic step needed?
Which surgical or non-surgical options merit discussion?
Could a minimally invasive approach be relevant?
How should a recurrent or previously operated case be approached?
What would be the logical next step if treatment abroad is considered?

A second opinion cannot guarantee candidacy, a particular technique, a treatment outcome or institutional acceptance.

How it works

From screening request to specialist review

Healwise handles the administrative preparation and coordination around the clinical review. Once the case is complete and accepted, we request the earliest practical consultation slot; timing remains subject to specialist availability.

Submit a short spine screening request

Tell us briefly about the case. No payment is required.

Free administrative suitability check

We normally send an initial administrative response within two working days.

Confirm scope, consent and fixed fee

If the pathway appears suitable, we confirm the required documents, consent and €390 payment instructions.

Complete and structure the case file

Healwise organises the records, identifies gaps and prepares the material for review.

Specialist records and imaging review

Professor Banczerowski reviews the relevant records and technically accessible imaging before the consultation.

English online consultation

The 30–60 minute consultation focuses on the decision that needs clarification.

Written summary and next steps

You receive a written clinical summary and may request further Healwise coordination support.

Clear pricing

€390 fixed package

The package includes case-file preparation, relevant records and imaging review, a 30–60 minute English online consultation, a written summary and Healwise coordination.

No payment is required for the initial administrative screening. Payment is requested only after Healwise confirms that the pathway appears suitable and provides the required document checklist.

Additional imaging, in-person examinations, diagnostic tests, treatment, travel and hospital charges are not included. Any optional additional services are quoted separately before commitment.

Important clinical boundary

Healwise provides case preparation, coordination and communication support. Clinical assessment and treatment recommendations are made by the reviewing licensed physician.

The consultation is a remote second opinion based on the information made available. It does not replace an in-person physical examination, emergency assessment or the treating team’s responsibility for care.

Frequently asked questions

Does expedited coordination guarantee a faster appointment?

No. Healwise prepares the case and requests the earliest practical specialist-review slot once the required records are complete. The actual date depends on clinical suitability, case acceptance and specialist availability.

Can I submit a case if I am still waiting for some records?

Yes. Submit the free screening request with the information currently available. We can identify missing items before you decide whether to proceed with the paid package.

Will the specialist review the original MRI or CT images?

Relevant imaging can be reviewed when original files are available in a technically reviewable format. Healwise will provide separate transfer instructions for large DICOM studies where needed.

Is minimally invasive spine surgery included in the assessment?

Where clinically relevant, the specialist can discuss whether a minimally invasive approach merits consideration. The review does not guarantee suitability for a specific technique.

Can this lead to treatment or surgery?

If further evaluation or treatment is clinically appropriate, Healwise can help coordinate provider communication, appointments and admission preparation. Treatment acceptance, timing and price are determined separately by the treating institution and clinicians.

Is this pathway suitable for an emergency or acute spinal injury?

No. Acute trauma, new paralysis, rapidly worsening weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control and other urgent neurological symptoms require immediate local emergency assessment.

Learn more before requesting a review

Read the Complex Spine clinical pathway • Information for referring physicians • Explore other clinical pathways

No payment at this stage

Request a free complex spine case screening

Tell us briefly about the case. Healwise will normally send an initial administrative response within two working days to confirm whether the €390 specialist-review package appears suitable and which records are needed.

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Patient and Contact Information

Who is completing this form? *

I am the patient
I am a family member or caregiver
I am the referring clinician
Other

Your Full Name *

Please enter the name of the person Healwise should contact.

Contact Email Address *

Contact Phone Number — optional

Please include the international country code.

Patient’s Country of Residence *

Complex Spine Case Screening

Patient Full Name *

Patient Age *

pproximate age is acceptable. This review pathway is for patients aged 18 or older.

Which clinical situation best describes the patient? *

Spine surgery has been recommended and we would like a second opinion
Persistent symptoms despite non-surgical treatment
Persistent or recurrent symptoms after previous spine surgery
Different specialists have recommended different approaches
Complex spinal condition such as deformity, instability or tumour
Other or not sure

What is the main question for specialist review? *

Is spine surgery appropriate?
Second opinion on an existing surgical recommendation
Which surgical approach or technique should be considered?
Could a minimally invasive approach be relevant?
Review of persistent or recurrent symptoms after previous surgery
What should the next diagnostic or treatment step be?
Another question or not sure

Which part of the spine is primarily affected? *

Cervical spine / neck
Thoracic spine / mid-back
Lumbar spine / lower back
More than one spinal region
Not sure

Does the patient currently have any of the following? *

New or rapidly worsening weakness or paralysis
New loss of bladder or bowel control
Numbness around the groin or saddle area
Recent significant spinal trauma
None of the above
Not sure

If any of these symptoms are new or rapidly worsening, please seek immediate local medical assessment. This form is not monitored for emergencies.

Brief Clinical Summary *

Please briefly describe the main symptoms, how long they have been present, any previous spine surgery or other treatment, current functional limitations, and the decision that needs to be made. A few sentences are enough.

Which clinical records are currently available?

Recent spine specialist, neurosurgery or orthopaedic report
Spine MRI and/or MRI report
Spine CT and/or CT report
Original MRI or CT imaging files (DICOM)
Standing X-rays or dynamic/flexion-extension X-rays
Previous spine surgery operative report or discharge summary
Implant or hardware information
Physiotherapy, injection or other treatment records
Other relevant medical records
No relevant records are currently available

Select all that apply. Documents do not need to be uploaded at this stage.

Consent

Authorization and data processing *

I confirm that I am authorized to submit this information and agree that Healwise may process it for case preparation, coordination and communication with appropriate healthcare providers, as described in the Privacy Policy.

Free screening is administrative and does not include a medical opinion. This form is not monitored for emergencies. Clinical assessment and treatment recommendations are provided by the reviewing licensed physician.