MD, FACS, FAANS
Brain TumorsCerebrovascular
Spine TumorsFacial Wellness
Livingston
About Dr. James K. Liu
Dr. Liu is an international leader in skull base surgery, advancing treatments for complex tumors in the brain, skull base, and spinal cord, including pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, chordomas, and paragangliomas. His expertise extends to cerebrovascular microsurgery, addressing conditions like brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural AV fistulas, cavernous malformations, moyamoya, carotid stenosis, and neurovascular compression syndromes (trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm).
Meet Dr. Liu
Dr. Liu is a compassionate and skilled board-certified neurosurgeon, who utilizes the latest advanced technology and innovative cutting-edge techniques, including minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal surgery (“EEA”), keyhole microneurosurgery, and awake craniotomy with brain mapping, to treat complex tumors and neurovascular diseases of the brain and spinal cord. Dr. Liu is an international expert and highly sought-after Visiting Professor, with over 500 invited lectures worldwide. As the creator of the “The Art of Brain Surgery: Masterclass” Youtube series and a prolific author of over 300 published journal articles and 30 textbook chapters, Dr. Liu is dedicated to advancing the field of neurosurgery through education and research, where he has taught many hands-on skull base cadaveric dissection courses around the globe.
Training & Education
Dr. Liu received his undergraduate degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA, graduating with Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors. He then earned his MD from New York Medical College with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, graduating 2nd in his class. After completing his neurosurgery residency at the University of Utah, Dr. Liu was awarded the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Dandy Clinical Fellowship and pursued advanced fellowship training in Skull Base, Cerebrovascular Surgery & Neuro-Oncology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.
Dr. Liu began his practice of Neurosurgery as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Northwestern University before being recruited to Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, where he was promoted to full Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT), and built an internationally recognized multi-disciplinary skull base and pituitary center of excellence as the Director of Cerebrovascular, Skull Base, and Pituitary Surgery at the Rutgers Neurological Institute of New Jersey. He is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and has joined the Neurosurgeons of New Jersey as the Director of the Skull Base Institute of New Jersey, where he has established a thriving and robust pituitary and skull base surgery service at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.
Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the development of innovative skull base and endoscopic techniques, quantitative surgical neuroanatomy, artificial intelligence and machine learning in skull base surgery, automated performance metrics, microsurgical and microvascular anastomosis skills training, virtual surgical simulation, and clinical outcomes after skull base and cerebrovascular surgery.
Dr. Liu is a member of the World Academy of Neurological Surgery and Society of University Neurosurgeons, and a founding member of the Yaşargil Microneurosurgery Academy. He has served on the Board of Directors in the North American Skull Base Society and on the medical advisory board of the Acoustic Neuroma Association of New Jersey. He is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Meningioma Society.
Insurances
- Aetna
- Aetna Meritain & Assure
- Aetna Signature (1199 & GEHA)
- Aetna Whole Health
- Clover Medicare – Case by Case exception
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Card/Suitcase/PPO)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ (commercial)
- Horizon Braven Health (PPO, HMO-POS)
- Braven Medicare Choice PPO
- Braven Medicare Freedom PPO
- Braven Medicare Group HMO-POS
- Braven Medicare Access group HMO-POS
- Medicare (Part A and Part B)
- No Fault (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accidents Only)
- Omnia (tier 1)
- Oxford Garden State Health Plan
- Oxford Health Plan
- UHC under Empire/NYSHIP plan
- United HealthCare (commercial, including All Savers) UMR
- Worker’s Comp- NJ Only
Areas of Excellence
- Pituitary tumors including Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, and craniopharyngioma.
- Skull base tumors including acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, and paragangliomas.
- Brain and spinal cord tumors including gliomas (astrocytomas), ependymomas, schwannomas, pineal region tumors.
- Cerebrovascular diseases including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), cavernous malformations, moyamoya, carotid stenosis/occlusion, dural AV fistulas.
- Trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm.
- Craniovertebral junction disorders including Chiari malformation, basilar invagination.
Hospital Privileges
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
- University Hospital
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
- Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital
- Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center
Conditions Treated
- Pituitary tumors
- Acoustic neuromas
- Meningiomas
- Craniopharyngiomas
- Chordomas and chondrosarcomas
- Paragangliomas
- Brain and spinal cord tumors
- Colloid cysts
- Trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm
- Brain aneurysms, AVMs, cavernous malformations, dural AV fistulas
- Moyamoya disease
- Carotid stenosis/occlusion
- Chiari malformation
Treatments Perfomed
- Endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery (EEA)
- Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (extended EEA)
- Keyhole microneurosurgery
- Orbital surgery
- Facial nerve preservation
- Endoscopic-assisted microvascular decompression (MVD)
- Aneurysm clipping
- Combined Direct (STA-MCA) and Indirect Bypass for Moyamoya
- Carotid endarterectomy (CEA)
- Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery
Invited Lectures & Visiting Professorships
- UCSF
- UCLA
- Harvard Brigham Skull Base/Cerebrovascular Symposium
- Barrow Neurological Institute
- Mayo Clinic
- Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor Symposium
- Washington University
- Brown University
- Northwestern University
- University of Chicago
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Allegheny Health Network
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein
- Northwell North Shore University Hospital
- University of Utah
- University of Colorado
- University of Cincinnati
- Mayfield Clinic, Keller Lectureship
- Houston Methodist Medical Center
- Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College
- Upstate Medical Center
- University of Vermont
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Swedish Neuroscience Institute
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Training & Education
- Areas of Excellence
- Hospital Privileges
- Conditions Treated
- Treatments Performed
- Invited Lectures & Visiting Professorships
- Insurances
Dr. Liu received his undergraduate degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA, graduating with Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors. He then earned his MD from New York Medical College with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, graduating 2nd in his class. After completing his neurosurgery residency at the University of Utah, Dr. Liu was awarded the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Dandy Clinical Fellowship and pursued advanced fellowship training in Skull Base, Cerebrovascular Surgery & Neuro-Oncology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.
Dr. Liu began his practice of Neurosurgery as Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Northwestern University before being recruited to Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, where he was promoted to full Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT), and built an internationally recognized multi-disciplinary skull base and pituitary center of excellence as the Director of Cerebrovascular, Skull Base, and Pituitary Surgery at the Rutgers Neurological Institute of New Jersey. He is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and has joined the Neurosurgeons of New Jersey as the Director of the Skull Base Institute of New Jersey, where he has established a thriving and robust pituitary and skull base surgery service at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.
Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the development of innovative skull base and endoscopic techniques, quantitative surgical neuroanatomy, artificial intelligence and machine learning in skull base surgery, automated performance metrics, microsurgical and microvascular anastomosis skills training, virtual surgical simulation, and clinical outcomes after skull base and cerebrovascular surgery.
Dr. Liu is a member of the World Academy of Neurological Surgery and Society of University Neurosurgeons, and a founding member of the Yaşargil Microneurosurgery Academy. He has served on the Board of Directors in the North American Skull Base Society and on the medical advisory board of the Acoustic Neuroma Association of New Jersey. He is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Meningioma Society.
- Pituitary tumors including Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, prolactinomas, craniopharyngiomas, and Rathke’s cleft cysts.
- Skull base tumors including acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas), meningiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, and paragangliomas.
- Brain and spinal cord tumors including gliomas (astrocytomas), ependymomas, schwannomas, pineal region tumors.
- Cerebrovascular diseases including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), cavernous malformations, moyamoya, carotid stenosis/occlusion, dural AV fistulas.
- Trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm.
- Craniovertebral junction disorders including Chiari malformation, basilar invagination.
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
- University Hospital
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
- Saint Claire’s Denville Heopital
- Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center
- Pituitary tumors
- Acoustic neuromas
- Meningiomas
- Craniopharyngiomas
- Chordomas and chondrosarcomas
- Paragangliomas
- Brain tumors (gliomas/astrocytomas)
- Colloid cysts
- Trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm
- Brain aneurysms, AVMs, cavernous malformations, dural AV fistulas
- Moyamoya disease
- Carotid stenosis/occlusion
- Chiari malformation
- Spinal cord tumors (ependymomas, schwannomas)
- Endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery (EEA)
- Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (extended EEA)
- Keyhole microneurosurgery
- Acoustic neuroma surgery
- Brain tumor surgery, awake craniotomy & mapping
- Spinal cord tumor surgery
- Orbital surgery
- Facial nerve preservation
- Endoscopic-assisted microvascular decompression (MVD)
- Aneurysm clipping
- Combined Direct (STA-MCA) and Indirect Bypass for Moyamoya
- Carotid endarterectomy (CEA)
- Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery
- UCSF
- UCLA
- Harvard Brigham Skull Base/Cerebrovascular Symposium
- Barrow Neurological Institute
- Mayo Clinic
- Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor Symposium
- Washington University
- Brown University
- Northwestern University
- University of Chicago
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Allegheny Health Network
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein
- Northwell North Shore University Hospital
- University of Utah
- University of Colorado
- University of Cincinnati
- Mayfield Clinic, Keller Lectureship
- Houston Methodist Medical Center
- Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College
- Upstate Medical Center
- University of Vermont
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Swedish Neuroscience Institute
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Aetna Medicare
- Aetna Meritain & Assure
- Aetna Signature (1199 & GEHA)
- Aetna Whole Health
- Clover Medicare – Case by Case exception
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Card/Suitcase/PPO)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ (commercial)
- Horizon Braven Health (PPO, HMO-POS)
- Braven Medicare Choice PPO
- Braven Medicare Freedom PPO
- Braven Medicare Group HMO-POS
- Braven Medicare Access group HMO-POS
- Medicare (Part A and Part B)
- No Fault (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accidents Only)
- Omnia (tier 1)
- Oxford Garden State Health Plan
- Oxford Health Plan
- UHC under Empire/NYSHIP plan
- United HealthCare (commercial, including All Savers) UMR
- Worker’s Comp- NJ Only
Honors, Awards & Recognition
See what Dr. Liu has accomplished over the years.
Awards
- Alpha Omega Alpha, New York Medical College
- Dr. David Harrison Scholarship, New York Medical College (award for graduating 2nd in class)
- Summa Cum Laude, UCLA
- Phi Beta Kappa, UCLA
- Dandy Clinical Fellowship, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- Healthgrades Choice Provider in Neurosurgery
- Vitals Preferred Provider
- WebMD Preferred Provider
- Honored Guest, Saudi Association of Neurological Surgery, 2024
- Keller Lecturer, Mayfield Clinic, 2022
- Honored Guest, Neurosurgical Society of Alabama, 2021
- Distinguished International Guest, Keynote Lecture, Taiwan Skull Base Society, 2021
- Physician Excellence in Health Care Award, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, 2019
- Honored Guest, Hong Kong Neurosurgical Society, 2019
- Honored Guest, Chinese Neurosurgical Society, 2019
- Honored Guest, Skull Base Society of India, 2019
- Honored Guest, Yonsei WFNS-Korean Skull Base Society Dissection Course, 2019
- Golden Apple Award Winner, Excellence in Teaching, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 2019
- Honored Guest, Taiwan Society for Skull Base Surgery, 2018
- Honored Guest, Japanese Congress for Brain Tumor Surgery, 2018
- Honored Guest, Korean Society of Endoscopic Neurosurgery, 2017
- Honored Guest, Beijing Sanbo Microneurosurgical Symposium, 2016
- Honored Guest, Egyptian Society of Neurological Surgery, 2016
Surgical Videos
View the Surgical Videos Dr. Liu has published.
Call Dr. Liu today at 973-577-2888.
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