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Home > IL Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD

(Sean Polster)

(48 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Professional interests include: stroke, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), skull base tumors, and more.

5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

1-888-824-0200

Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD is a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL specializing in neurosurgery and neuro-oncology. He graduated from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD is affiliated with The University of Chicago Medicine, UChicago Medicine and UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

Office Locations

The University of Chicago Medicine

5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

1-888-824-0200

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Some issues Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD can help you with:

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	18

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD.

**Gender**
Male	11
Female	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated during 2020 were high cholesterol and hypertension.

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	22
hospital care	30
inpatient care	30

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD.

**Gender**
Male	26
Female	45

**Age**
From 65 to 74	42
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	11
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated during 2021 were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	27
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	35
Dementia	21
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2022 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD for Medicare patients.

hospital care	53
inpatient care	53

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD.

**Gender**
Male	30
Female	23

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	27
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	25
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	14

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated during 2022 were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	66
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	32
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	42
Dementia	23
Cancer	25

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL during 2023 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	30
hospital care	90
inpatient care	90

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD.

**Gender**
Male	38
Female	37

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	44
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	38
From 75 to 84	22
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated during 2023 were high cholesterol, hypertension, stroke and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	65
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	44
Dementia	21
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2020 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Chicago, IL were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	23
hospital care	57
inpatient care	57

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2020 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD.

**Gender**
Female	30
Male	26

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	6
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	11
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	2
75 to 84	5
Less than 65	3
65 to 74	26

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD From 2020 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and diabetes.

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	39
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	30
Atrial Fibrillation	18
Cancer	15
Dementia	16

Education & Training

Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD graduated from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He completed residency at University of Chicago Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board Certification: Neurological Surgery and has a state license in Illinois.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Residency: University of Chicago Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: Board Certification: Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

The University of Chicago Medicine

UChicago Medicine

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Aetna PPO, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, MultiPlan PPO, Medicare Advantage, Aetna POS, Medicare, Humana, PHCS PPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, United W500 Emergent Wrap, Aetna Better Health *see insurance page, United Options (PPO), CountyCare *see insurance page, BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only), United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only), University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP), United Choice HMO (specialists only), BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only), Aetna HMO (specialists only) and United Choice Plus POS/PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

Aetna PPO

CIGNA PPO

CIGNA POS

CIGNA HMO

MultiPlan PPO

Medicare Advantage

Aetna POS

Medicare

Humana

PHCS PPO

Aetna Medicare PPO

United W500 Emergent Wrap

Aetna Better Health *see insurance page

United Options (PPO)

CountyCare *see insurance page

BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only)

United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only)

University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP)

United Choice HMO (specialists only)

BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only)

Aetna HMO (specialists only)

United Choice Plus POS/PPO

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 48 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Chicago, IL.

4.9

Overall Rating

(48 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Sean Patrick Polster, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	$475 $475
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.	$439 Orthopaedics $230	Ortho-Knee $208
KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America	$182 VITOM 90 DETACHABLE, AUTOCLAVE $150	VENTRICULOSCOPE LOTTA $32
Aesculap, Inc.	$21 MINOP Modular Neuroendoscopy System $21
ZIMVIE INC.	$20 Vitality $20

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$475
Education	$439
Food and Beverage	$222

Biography

Dr. Sean Polster practices neurosurgery. He attended medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He is affiliated with UChicago Medicine.