About Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan
Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan is a Clinical Lead Neurologist at Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chromepet, Chennai, and Consultant at Spoorthi Neuro and Spine Center, Adyar, Chennai, with 19+ years of experience. He completed MBBS from Stanley Medical College (2005), MD Paediatrics from NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad (2010), DM Neurology from Madras Medical College (2015) — winning the Prof. CUV Gold Medal for 'All-Rounder Best Outgoing Student' in DM Neurology 2015 — and a Fellowship in Interventional Neuroradiology (FINR) from the University of Zurich, Switzerland (2018). He is the first doctor in the Indian subcontinent to help paralysed children walk using a spinal cord pacemaker (STIMO) and has performed 500+ diagnostic cerebral angiograms and 200+ procedural angiograms.
- Prof. CUV Gold Medal — 'All-Rounder Best Outgoing Student' in DM Neurology 2015; Most Admired and Innovative Neurologist of the Year 2022 (Iconic Healthcare Summit); Fellowship in Interventional Neuroradiology — University of Zurich, Switzerland (2018)
- MBBS — Stanley Medical College (2005); MD Paediatrics — NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad (2010); DM Neurology — Madras Medical College / TNMGRMU (2015)
- Pioneer: First doctor in the Indian subcontinent to help paralysed children walk using a spinal cord pacemaker (STIMO — Stimulation Movement Overground)
- 500+ diagnostic cerebral angiograms; 200+ procedural angiograms; first in-house rehabilitation team in South India (13 members, 7 domains)
- International presentations: AAN Annual Meeting, Washington DC (2015); WCN 2015, Santiago, Chile; ECON 2015; Publications in Neurology India and IJMSHR
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS — Stanley Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University — 2005
- MD (Paediatrics) — NHL Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad — 2010
- DM (Neurology) — Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University (TNMGRMU) / Madras Medical College, Chennai — 2015 (Prof. CUV Gold Medal — All-Rounder Best Outgoing Student)
Fellowships & Special Training
- Fellowship in Interventional Neuroradiology (FINR) — University of Zurich, Switzerland — 2018
Certifications & Accreditations
- Tamil Nadu Medical Council Registration
- Member — Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN)
- Member — Society for Neuroscience
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Stroke (Ischaemic — Thrombolysis & Thrombectomy)
- Epilepsy (Adult & Paediatric)
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders
- Spinal Cord Disorders (STIMO — Spinal Cord Pacemaker)
- Cerebrovascular Malformations (AVM, Aneurysm)
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Multiple Sclerosis & Demyelinating Diseases
- Headache & Migraine
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Neurorehabilitation
Sub-specialties
- Interventional Neurology (Zurich-Trained — FINR): Fellow in Interventional Neuroradiology (FINR) from the University of Zurich, Switzerland (2018) — expert in mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke, carotid and brain stenting, cerebral angioplasty, and tumour embolisation — performing 500+ diagnostic cerebral angiograms and 200+ procedural angiograms, making Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan one of Chennai's foremost interventional neurologists at Dr. Rela Institute.
- Spinal Cord Pacemaker / STIMO (Indian Subcontinent Pioneer): The first doctor in the Indian subcontinent to help paralysed children walk using a spinal cord pacemaker (STIMO — Stimulation Movement Overground) — a landmark achievement inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu — with a first-of-its-kind in-house rehabilitation team in South India (13 members, 7 domains).
- Paediatric & Adult Neurology: Dual-trained paediatric and adult neurologist (MD Paediatrics + DM Neurology) — enabling seamless expert neurological care across all age groups from neonates to adults — with specialisation in epilepsy, movement disorders, and neurorehabilitation.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Mechanical Thrombectomy (Acute Stroke — Endovascular)
- IV/IA Thrombolysis (Acute Stroke)
- Carotid & Brain Stenting / Angioplasty
- Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram (500+ performed)
- Procedural Angiogram — Coiling, Stent-Assisted Coiling (200+ performed)
- Tumour Embolisation (Neurointerventional)
- Spinal Cord Pacemaker (STIMO) — Movement Overground
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) — Parkinson's (35+ patients)
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS — Epilepsy)
- EEG / Video EEG Monitoring
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chromepet, Chennai — Clinical Lead Neurologist (Present)
- Spoorthi Neuro and Spine Center, 34/29 Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai — Consultant Neurologist (Present)
- RIMS Hospital, Red Hills, Chennai — Consultant Neurologist (Present)
Past Affiliations
- MIOT International Hospital, Chennai — Consultant Neurologist (Past)
- University of Zurich, Switzerland — FINR Fellowship — 2018
Key Achievements
- Prof. CUV Gold Medal — 'All-Rounder Best Outgoing Student' in DM Neurology — 2015
- Most Admired and Innovative Neurologist of the Year — Iconic Healthcare Summit and Awards — 2022
- Fellowship in Interventional Neuroradiology (FINR) — University of Zurich, Switzerland — 2018
- Pioneer — First doctor in Indian subcontinent to help paralysed children walk with spinal cord pacemaker (STIMO)
- First in-house rehabilitation team in South India (13 members, 7 domains)
- 500+ diagnostic cerebral angiograms; 200+ procedural angiograms
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) performed in 35+ Parkinson's disease patients
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Prof. CUV Gold Medal — 'All-Rounder Best Outgoing Student' in DM Neurology — 2015
- Most Admired and Innovative Neurologist of the Year — Iconic Healthcare Summit and Awards — 2022
Professional Memberships
- Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN)
- Tamil Nadu Medical Council
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Narasimhan, Srimathy & Mohandas, Prithvi & Balakrishnan, Shankar. Polyneuritis Cranialis in Covid-19. International Journal of Medical Science and Health Research. Vol.4, No.6 (2020): 73-81.
- Balakrishnan S (co-author). NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY — Supranuclear Pathway (chapter/review). Neurology India, November 2015, Special Edition.
- Gastroparesis Following An Isolated Cerebellar Infarct: Case Report. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine.
Conference Presentations (Selected)
- AAN Annual Meeting, Washington DC, USA — 2015: Novel approaches to Clinico-Neuroradiological correlation and prognostication in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.
- WCN (World Congress of Neurology) 2015, Santiago, Chile: Study on clinical, MRI, and biopsy correlation in inherited muscle disease.
- ECON 2015: Case series of super-refractory status epilepticus and outcome.
- IAN Annual Meetings 2013 & 2014 — multiple presentations.
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Neurology / Interventional Neurology Consultation | ₹800 – ₹1,500 | $10 – $18 |
| Mechanical Thrombectomy (Acute Stroke) | ₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $3,600 – $9,600 |
| Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 | $360 – $960 |
| Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS — Parkinson's) | ₹7,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 | $8,400 – $18,000 |
| EEG / Video EEG / Neurophysiology | ₹2,000 – ₹10,000 | $24 – $120 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan use in Neurology and Interventional Neurology treatment?
Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan — DM Neurology Gold Medallist, FINR Fellow (University of Zurich, Switzerland 2018), pioneer of STIMO Spinal Cord Pacemaker in Indian subcontinent, and Most Admired Neurologist of the Year 2022 — uses mechanical thrombectomy (acute stroke), IV/IA thrombolysis, cerebral angiography (500+), carotid/brain stenting, DBS (35+ patients), Vagus Nerve Stimulation, and STIMO spinal cord pacemaker at Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai.
2. What conditions does Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan specialise in treating?
Dr. Balakrishnan specialises in neurology and interventional neurology — treating stroke (thrombectomy), epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord disorders, cerebrovascular malformations (AVM, aneurysm), peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and neurorehabilitation — for patients seeking the best interventional neurologist in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
3. How do I book an appointment with Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan?
Appointments with Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Dr. Shankar Balakrishnan offer second opinions for Neurology and Interventional Neurology cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients seeking expert Neurology and Interventional Neurology review from a specialist in Chennai.
