Professor Zhao Jizong: Cerebrovascular and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgeon
Professor Zhao Jizong is a senior neurosurgeon, professor, doctoral supervisor, and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. He serves as Academic Committee Director of the National Center for Neurological Disorders and Dean of the School of Neurosurgery at Capital Medical University.
His clinical work focuses on minimally invasive neurosurgery, cerebrovascular surgery, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, intracerebral hemorrhage, and selected intracranial tumors.
International patients can learn more about the hospital’s specialties, medical-record requirements, and care planning in our Beijing Tiantan Hospital international patient guide.
Clinical Specialties
Professor Zhao’s principal areas include:
- cerebral aneurysms;
- brain arteriovenous malformations;
- intracerebral hemorrhage;
- complex cerebrovascular surgery;
- minimally invasive neurosurgery;
- selected intracranial tumors;
- multidisciplinary neurovascular treatment planning; and
- second opinions before brain surgery or intervention.
Cerebral Aneurysms
A cerebral aneurysm is a weakened area in the wall of a brain artery. Many aneurysms cause no symptoms, but rupture can lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening form of stroke.
Treatment decisions depend on whether the aneurysm has ruptured, its size and shape, location, growth, patient age, family history, other medical conditions, and the estimated risks of observation and treatment.
Options may include microsurgical clipping, endovascular coiling, flow diversion, another catheter-based technique, or imaging surveillance. Complex aneurysms may require review by both open cerebrovascular and endovascular specialists.
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations
A brain arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. It may present with bleeding, seizure, headache, neurological symptoms, or an incidental imaging finding.
Management can involve microsurgery, endovascular embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery, observation, or a staged combination. The recommended approach depends on the malformation’s size, location, venous drainage, previous hemorrhage, symptoms, and relationship to important brain regions.
Because the natural history and treatment risks can both be significant, an individualized multidisciplinary review is essential.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when bleeding develops within the brain tissue. Causes include high blood pressure, vascular malformations, anticoagulant medicines, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, tumors, and other conditions.
Treatment may include blood-pressure management, reversal of anticoagulation, intensive care, treatment of the underlying cause, rehabilitation, and surgery in selected patients. The role and timing of surgery depend on hemorrhage size, location, neurological status, pressure effects, and overall prognosis.
Antiplatelet Treatment After Surgery
Professor Zhao led the E-start multicenter randomized trial, published in The Lancet Neurology in 2024. The study investigated early versus delayed aspirin use after surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in selected patients.
The study’s findings should not be interpreted as a universal instruction to start aspirin after a brain hemorrhage. Timing depends on the cause of bleeding, repeat imaging, surgical status, ischemic risk, and the treating team’s assessment. Patients should never start, stop, or change antiplatelet medicine without medical supervision.
Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
Minimally invasive neurosurgery aims to reach a lesion while reducing disruption to healthy brain tissue. Techniques may include smaller surgical corridors, endoscopic assistance, image guidance, intraoperative monitoring, or catheter-based treatment.
The smallest incision is not always the safest operation. Procedure selection depends on the disease, anatomy, surgeon’s experience, available technology, and the need for reliable control of bleeding or preservation of neurological function.
Intracranial Tumors
Professor Zhao also evaluates selected brain tumors requiring neurosurgical treatment. Planning may involve MRI, functional imaging, angiography, pathology, and discussion with neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, and rehabilitation teams.
The aim of surgery may be complete removal, maximal safe removal, biopsy, relief of pressure, or preparation for additional treatment. The balance between tumor control and neurological preservation is central to decision-making.
Research and Academic Contributions
Professor Zhao has led long-term national research programs in cerebrovascular neurosurgery and has contributed to the development of minimally invasive approaches in China. His representative recent work includes the E-start randomized clinical trial on aspirin timing after surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.
Clinical research can guide treatment, but eligibility and risk vary. Trial findings cannot replace individualized interpretation of imaging, neurological status, and surgical details.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Zhao or the Beijing Tiantan neurosurgery team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has a ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysm;
- has a brain arteriovenous malformation;
- needs a second opinion on clipping, embolization, radiosurgery, or observation;
- has experienced intracerebral hemorrhage and may require surgical review;
- has a complex intracranial tumor near important vessels or brain regions;
- has persistent or recurrent disease after previous treatment;
- has received conflicting neurosurgical recommendations; or
- needs expert review of cerebral angiography and brain MRI.
Neurological Emergencies
Sudden severe headache, loss of consciousness, seizure, facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision loss, or acute confusion requires immediate local emergency care. Patients should not delay urgent treatment while arranging international travel.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and symptom timeline;
- original brain CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, and DSA images in DICOM format;
- earlier imaging for comparison;
- neurology, neurosurgery, and hospital discharge records;
- operative notes, endovascular procedure records, and implant details;
- pathology reports, slides, and blocks for a brain tumor case;
- recent blood count, coagulation, kidney function, and cardiovascular results;
- a complete list of antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and blood-pressure medicines;
- rehabilitation and current neurological-function records; and
- a clear list of questions about treatment options and neurological risks.
Original angiography and MRI are essential because written reports alone may not show the anatomical details needed for neurosurgical planning.
Planning an International Consultation
Before traveling, patients should confirm whether the condition is stable enough for travel, whether imaging can be reviewed, and whether an in-person examination is required.
Remote medical-record review is subject to physician authorization. It may help clarify the next step, but final treatment eligibility, operative planning, expected hospital stay, and cost require complete assessment by the treating team.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating neurological records, imaging, and pathology; identifying an appropriate specialist; requesting appointment availability; arranging interpretation; and planning medical travel in China.
Access to Professor Zhao, remote review, surgery, or any particular procedure is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research findings, treatment availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information before travel. This profile is based on publicly available hospital and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified neurosurgeon.
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