Brain aneurysm and stroke neurosurgeon in Santa Barbara
I treat aneurysms, vascular malformations, stroke, and brain tumors with open microsurgery, minimally invasive endovascular techniques, and stereotactic radiosurgery, so your treatment is chosen for your condition rather than limited to a single approach.
Brian Walcott, MD Board-certified neurosurgeon at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
- 750+ brain aneurysms treated
- 500+ ischemic strokes treated
- Board certified American Board of Neurological Surgery
- Three fellowships UCSF, USC, and Massachusetts General Hospital
A neurosurgeon who lives and works in Santa Barbara
I am a Harvard-trained, board-certified neurosurgeon focused on vascular disease and tumors of the brain and spine.
I have the training and experience to perform the most complex cases, using techniques such as cerebrovascular bypass, flow diverting stents, liquid embolic agents, and intrasaccular devices. I care for patients in the catheterization lab, in the operating room, and with focused radiation treatments. As a full-time member of this community, I am here for my patients through every stage of care, from the first consultation through recovery and beyond.
Read Dr. Walcott's full backgroundConditions and treatments
Specialized care for the blood vessels of the brain, for brain and spine tumors, and for nerve pain.
Aneurysms and vascular malformations
- Brain aneurysms Coiling, flow diversion, intrasaccular devices, and clipping
- Flow diversion Rebuilding the artery wall from the inside
- Intrasaccular devices Sealing wide-necked aneurysms from within
- Arteriovenous malformations Embolization, microsurgery, and radiosurgery
- Dural AV fistulas Closing abnormal artery-to-vein connections
- Cavernous malformations Including brainstem and giant cavernomas
Stroke and blood flow
Four ways to treat a brain aneurysm
Because I perform all four, my recommendation is based on your aneurysm rather than on a single technique.
An aneurysm is a weak spot in an artery wall
Blood flowing past the weak spot pushes it outward into a balloon-like sac. Many aneurysms never cause problems; others need treatment to prevent rupture. Size, shape, location, and your overall health decide whether treatment is needed and which approach is safest.
- Minimally invasive
Coiling
Through a small puncture in the wrist or groin, soft platinum coils are placed inside the aneurysm. They promote clotting within the sac and lower the risk of rupture.
Brain aneurysm treatment - Minimally invasive
Flow diversion
A finely woven mesh tube is placed in the artery across the aneurysm's opening. Blood is redirected past the sac, and over months the artery lining grows across the mesh and rebuilds the wall.
How flow diversion works - Minimally invasive
Intrasaccular device
A mesh device placed inside the aneurysm seals its neck from within, often without leaving a stent in the main artery. I am a certified WEB proctor and train other physicians in intrasaccular treatment.
About intrasaccular treatment - Open microsurgery
Microsurgical clipping
In open surgery, a small titanium clip is placed across the base of the aneurysm, sealing it off from the circulation while the artery stays open.
Brain aneurysm treatment
What to expect
From the first phone call to your last follow-up visit, you work with the same surgeon and team.
Call or send your imaging
Call (805) 569-7820, or bring or mail a CD or USB drive with your scans. Spanish-speaking staff can help.
Meet in person or by video
Consultations take place at the Fletcher Avenue office, or by secure video for patients in California.
A plan you understand
We look at your images together and talk through every reasonable option, including careful monitoring when that is safest.
Treatment at Cottage Hospital
Procedures take place at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, a Comprehensive Stroke Center and Level 1 Trauma Center.
Follow-up close to home
Follow-up visits and imaging stay with the same surgeon and team, here in Santa Barbara.
Training
- 2016 to 2018 Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship University of Southern California
- 2015 to 2016 Neurovascular & Skull Base Surgery Fellowship University of California, San Francisco
- 2012 to 2013 Stereotactic Radiosurgery Fellowship Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
- 2009 to 2014 Neurosurgery Residency Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
- 2008 to 2009 General Surgery Internship Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
- 2004 to 2008 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Loyola University Chicago
- 2000 to 2004 Bachelor of Science, Biology Seton Hall University
Certifications and licenses
- American Board of Neurological Surgery
- Board Certified (2020)
- Endovascular Neurosurgery Focused Practice
- ABNS Recognition (2021)
- California Medical License
- Active License #136268
- California Fluoroscopy License
- Active License #RHC 00202960
- Flow Diversion: Pipeline Certified
- Medtronic (2018)
- WEB Device Certified Proctor
- Trains other physicians in intrasaccular aneurysm treatment
- CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery
- Accuray Physician Training (2019)
United States Navy ReserveLieutenant Commander, 2011 to 2019. Honorable discharge.
Research that shapes practice
More than 160 peer-reviewed publications and 14 book chapters, including work in Science, JAMA Surgery, and JAMA Neurology.
Site principal investigator for the NIH-sponsored ASPIRE trial at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
See publications and trials- Flow Diversion for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms
- Intrasaccular Flow Disruption for Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Review
- A Single-Cell Atlas of the Normal and Malformed Human Brain Vasculature
I experienced a serious problem with blood vessels in my brain that could have been life threatening. After having a CT scan, MRI and angiogram Dr. Walcott determined that surgery was necessary to correct my condition. He explained the procedure in depth and the method used to fix it was minimally invasive even though it felt like science fiction. My outcome could not be any better and I am back to normal. I feel very fortunate to have been treated by Dr. Walcott who had the talent and experience for me to have such a positive conclusion.
Dr. Walcott is truly outstanding. His calm and confident demeanor gave my family and me a sense of peace during a stressful time. He has a real gift for connecting with people, speaking openly and honestly in a way that made everything easier to understand. He thoroughly explained treatments, and patiently answered questions and it's clear he genuinely cares about you as a person, not just as a patient. I am grateful to Dr Walcott for his expertise and compassionate care, and I recommend him wholeheartedly!
Dr Walcott is truly a remarkable physician. He is not only clearly extremely competent, but he also has the natural—and all too rare—ability to exude kindness, compassion and humility. As a result, Dr Walcott exemplifies what it means to truly care for people—mind, body and spirit.
I was referred to Dr. Walcott by my primary care doctor as I had a brain aneurysm. Needless to say, I was nervous and scared about what that meant for my future health. When Dr. Walcott and his PA, David, came into the room, it was clear that he was prepared and already had a plan for my care. Everything was clearly explained. Every question answered. This alleviated much of my anxiety. Dr. Walcott and his team are incredibly kind and compassionate. My angiogram and subsequent aneurysm repair were managed beautifully. I am grateful beyond words for the wonderful outcome.
The office
2410 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 302Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Phone
- (805) 569-7820
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Parking
- Free, on site
- Hospital
- Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
- Languages
- English, with Spanish-speaking staff. Información en español
Patients come from Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Santa Maria, Lompoc, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Atascadero.
What to bring to your visit
- Your imaging on a CD or USB drive. The images themselves matter more than the written report.
- Your insurance card and a photo ID, and a referral if your plan requires one.
- A list of your medications, especially blood thinners.
- Your questions, written down. A family member or friend is welcome.
Who is Dr. Brian Walcott?
Dr. Brian Walcott is a board-certified cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeon at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. He completed neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and fellowship training at UCSF (neurovascular and skull base surgery), USC (endovascular neurosurgery), and MGH (stereotactic radiosurgery). He has treated more than 750 brain aneurysms, has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers, is a certified proctor for the WEB intrasaccular aneurysm device, and serves as Site Principal Investigator for the NIH-sponsored ASPIRE trial.
What conditions does Dr. Walcott treat?
Brain aneurysms, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, carotid stenosis, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, cavernous malformations including brainstem cavernomas, moyamoya disease, chronic subdural hematoma including middle meningeal artery embolization, idiopathic intracranial hypertension including venous sinus stenting, brain and spine tumors, brain metastases, and trigeminal neuralgia. He performs both open microsurgery and minimally invasive endovascular procedures.
What aneurysm treatments does Dr. Walcott offer?
All of the main options: coiling, flow diversion with multiple devices, intrasaccular devices such as the WEB, and microsurgical clipping. He is a certified WEB proctor who trains other physicians, so treatment is matched to the aneurysm rather than to a single technique.
Does Dr. Walcott offer second opinions?
Yes. Dr. Walcott offers second opinion consultations for brain aneurysms, AVMs, cavernomas, stroke, and brain tumors, including for patients who have been told elsewhere that they are not surgical candidates. California patients can start with a video visit. Patients can mail or drop off imaging on a CD or USB drive. More about second opinions.
Where does Dr. Walcott practice?
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, a Comprehensive Stroke Center. His office is at 2410 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 302, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, with free parking, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. He serves patients from Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and the greater Central Coast, and sees second opinion patients from across the country.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call the office at (805) 569-7820 or use the contact form below. Spanish-speaking staff are available, and information is available in Spanish. Referring physicians can fax referrals to (805) 569-7414; see the For Physicians page.
Request a consultation
Tell us a little about what you need, and our office will contact you to schedule.
- Phone (805) 569-7820
- Referring physicians
Fax referrals to (805) 569-7414. Referral details
- Second opinions
In person, or by video for patients in California, with your own imaging. How it works
Send a request
For scheduling only. Please do not include personal health information; our office will collect records through secure channels.