About Mark Nowell
Mark Nowell is a Bristol-based Consultant in Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery. Mark now deals exclusively with simple and complex spinal disease.
He understands the impact of spinal degenerative disease on patients’ quality of life and how it can be difficult to access the right services at the right time.
Mark is committed to appropriate and timely interventions to give patients the best chance of good outcomes and getting them back to their normal lifestyles.

Education and training
Mark trained at Oriel College, University of Oxford and Imperial College School of Medicine. He has a First class degree in Physiological Sciences from Oxford.
His neurosurgical training was in the South West, working at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol and Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. During this training, he completed a PhD at University College London on using Advanced Computer Tools in Neurosurgical Planning.
Mark has completed two Spinal Fellowships, as recommended by the British Association of Spinal Surgeons (BASS). He is dual-trained in the latest orthopaedic and neurosurgical spinal concepts and techniques.
Further work
Mark is the current Neurosurgical Spinal Lead at Southmead Hospital. He sits on the Research Committee for the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. He is a contributory author to the educational surgical website Orthoracle. He is part of the Bristol Spine Intervention Group. He has an interest in spinal navigation, minimally invasive spinal surgery and robotics.
Mark Nowell Curriculum Vitae
- 2012–2015 — University College London, PhD
- 2004 — Oriel College, University of Oxford, Final Honour School Physiological Sciences (MA Oxon)
- 2000–2003 — Imperial College School of Medicine, MB BS pts III–VII (Clinical)
- 1997–2000 — Oriel College, University of Oxford, First BM pts I–II (Pre-clinical)
- Feb–Mar 17 — British Association of Spinal Surgeons Travelling Fellowship, Dublin/Belfast/Stoke Mandeville/Oxford
- Aug 17–Aug 18 — Complex Spine Fellowship, Leeds General Infirmary
- Aug 18–Aug 19 — Sir Victor Horsley Complex Spine Fellowship, Queen’s Square and Stanmore
- 2019 — Modified rib sparing direct lateral minimally invasive vertebrectomy for treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression
Nowell M, Loughenbury P, Timothy J. JMISS 2019 - 2019 — Increasing the accuracy of 3D EEG implantations
Rodionov R, O’Keefe A, Nowell M et al. JNS 2019 - 2019 — Association of piriform cortex resection with surgical outcomes in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Galovic M, Baudracco I, Wright-Goff E et al. JAMA Neurology - 2018 — Probabilistic electrical stimulation mapping of human medial frontal cortex
Trevisi G, Eickhoff S, Chowdhury F et al. Cortex 2018 Jul 6 - 2018 — Current state of integration of neurosurgical and orthopaedic spine services in the UK
Nowell M, Khan A, Loughenbury P. Br J Neurosurg 2018 - 2018 — Traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation with associated C1 Jefferson fracture and bilateral vertebral artery occlusion without odontoid process fracture or neurological deficit
Nowell M, Nelson R. ESJ 2018 - 2017 — Giant vertebrobasilar aneurysm: A rare cause of central sleep apnoea
Haley M, Henderson D, Nowell M et al. Br J Neurosurg 2017 - 2017 — Surgical considerations in the management of epilepsy
Nowell M, Selbi W. Advances in Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Mar 2017 - 2017 — Automated multiple trajectory planning algorithm for the placement of SEEG electrodes in epilepsy treatment
Sparks R, Zombori G, Rodionov R, Nowell M et al. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2017 Ja; 12(1): 123-136 - 2016 — Resection planning in extratemporal epilepsy surgery using 3D multimodality imaging and intraoperative MRI
Nowell M, Rodionov R, Miserrocchi A et al. Br J Neurosurg 2016 Dec 8:1-3 - 2016 — A Pipeline for 3D Multimodality Image Integration and Computer-assisted Planning in Epilepsy Surgery
Nowell M, Rodionov R, Zombori G et al. JOVE 2016 - 2015 — Meyer’s loop asymmetry and language lateralisation in epilepsy
Nowell M, Vos S, Sidhu M et al. JNNP 2015 - 2015 — In response: Talairach methodology in the era of 3D multimodal imaging: “the song remains the same, but catchier, and therefore more helpful for clinical decision-making and surgical planning in epilepsy surgery”
Nowell M. Epilepsia 2015 - 2015 — Comparison of computer-assisted and automated planning for depth electrode placement in epilepsy
Nowell M, Sparks R, Zombori G et al. JNS 2015 - 2015 — Stability, structure and scale: improvements in multi-modal vessel extraction for SEEG trajectory planning
Zuluaga M, Rodionov R, Nowell M et al. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2015 - 2015 — Seizure localisation using ictal phase-locked high gamma: A retrospective surgical outomce study
Weiss S, Lemesiou L, Connors R et al. Neurology 2015 - 2015 — Tumors in Epilepsy
Nowell M, Miserochhi A, McEvoy A. Semin Neurol 2015 - 2015 — Utility of 3D multimodality imaging in the implantation of intracranial electrodes in epilepsy
Nowell M, Rodionov R, Zombori G et al. Epilepsia 2015. 56: 403-413 - 2014 — SEEG trajectory planning: combining stability, structure and scale in vessel extraction
Zuluaga M, Rodionov R, Nowell M et al. Med Image Comput Assist Interv 2014. 17: 651-658 - 2014 — A Novel Method for Implementation of Frameless StereoEEG in Epilepsy Surgery
Nowell M, Rodionov R, Diehl B et al. 2014 Neurosurgery - 2014 — Advances in epilepsy surgery
Nowell M, Miserocchi A, McEvoy A et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2014 - 2013 — Feasibility of multimodal 3D neuroimaging to guide implantation of intracranial EEG electrodes
Rodionov R, Vollmar C, Nowell M et al. Epilepsy Res 2013. 107: 1-2; 91-100 - 2012 — Spinal cord arterio-venous malformations in children: a rare but important diagnosis
Shah S, Nowell M, Renowden S et al. British Journal of Neurosurg 2012. 26; 4: 549-51 - 2012 — Radiofrequency thermocoagulation for trigeminal neuralgia without intra-operative patient waking
Hart M, Nowell M, Coakham H. Br J Neurosurg 2012. 26; 3: 392-396 - 2011 — Accuracy of free hand placement of emergency frontal external ventricular drains and the relevance to clinical outcome
Nowell M, Aquilina K. Br J Neurosurg 2011. 25.2, April - 2009 — Improved outcome after lumbar microdiscectomy in patients shown their excised disc fragments: a prospective, double blind, randomised, controlled trial
Tait MJ, Levy J, Nowell M, Pocock C, Petrik V, Bell BA, Papadopoulos
MC. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009 Sep;80(9):1044-6 - 2007 — Post mortem neuropathological findings in a patient with both subthalamic nucleus stimulator and subthalamic nucleus lesion
Laban, Nowell, Aziz, Graebe, Roncaroli, Bain. British Journal of Neurosurgery, vol 21, issue 2, 2007 - 2006 — Hip Arthroscopy: Techniques and Instrumentation
Field, Medalla, Kamat, Nowell. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2006, 88B - 2006 — Hip arthroscopy: 5 year outcomes
Field, Medalla, Kamat, Nowell. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2006, 88B
- 2016 — Neuroradiological Evaluation for Epilepsy Surgery: MRI
Miserocchi A, Nowell M, McEvoy A. Yeomans & Winn Neurological Surgery - 2017 — Dermoid and epidermoid cysts
Nowell M, McEvoy A. Oxford Textbook of Neurological Surgery
- 2021 — Indirect posterior decompression with anterior cervical surgery
Nowell M, Prezerakos G, Rezajooi K et al. SBNS (virtual meeting) - 2020 — Think and Do presentation, Lessons from Neurosurgery
PhD International Media Global Group, London - 2019 — Utility of flexion extension MRI in cervical myelopathy
Nowell M, Thakrar A, Rezajooi K. BASS Brighton - 2019 — Modified rib sparing direct lateral minimally invasive vertebrectomy for treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression
Nowell M, Loughenbury P, Timothy J. Submitted to JMISS - 2018 — Diagnosis and management of spinal tumours
FRCS (orth) teaching, RNOH Stanmore - 2018 — Degenerative spondylolisthesis: reduce and fix
Lifelong learning, SBNS Torquay - 2018 — A Case Series of Cortical Bone Trajectories for Posterolateral Fixation
Nowell M, Selbi W, Germon T. SBNS Torquay - 2018 — The modified XLIF approach for Vertebrectomy and Anterior Column Reconstruction
Nowell M, Timothy J. SBNS Torquay - 2018 — Comparison of open and minimally invasive vertebrectomies for metastatic cord compression
Nowell M, Loughenbury P, Timothy J. Britspine, Leeds - 2018 — State of integration of orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine services in tertiary units
Nowell M, Loughenbury P, Khan AL. Britspine, Leeds - 2018 — Day case lumbar microdiscectomy
Borse V, Nowell M, Loughenbury P. Britspine, Leeds - 2017 — The Great Spondy Debate: 360 degrees fusion?
Nowell M. South West Spine Club. Jul 2017 - 2017 — The National Back and Radicular Pain Pathway
Nowell M. South West Spine Club. Jul 2017 - 2017 — BASS Presidents Travelling Fellowship Review 2017
Nowell M, Choudry Z, Brooks F, Prezerakos. BASS Mar 2017 - 2017 — Surviving the Unsurviveable
Nelson R, Nowell M. BSSS 2017 - 2017 — Neurosurgical management of trauma
FRCA Teaching, Southmead Hospital - 2017 — Contemporary approaches to the anterior craniocervical junction
Nowell M, Malcolm G, Wigfield C, Patel N, Nelson R. DGNC, Germany Apr 2017 - 2017 — Contemporary approaches to the anterior craniocervical junction
Nowell M, Malcolm G, Wigfield C, Patel N, Nelson R. SBNS, Mar 2017 - 2016 — Multimodality imaging in epilepsy surgery
Plenary Session, ILAE British Chapter, Dublin 2016 - 2016 — Predictors of repeat drainage of intracranial infection
Henderson D, Nowell M, Whitfield P. SBNS Sep 2016 - 2016 — Functional mapping of the medial frontal wall using direct cortical electrical stimulation
Jha A, Trevesi G, Chowdhury F et al. American Epilepsy Society meeting, Houston, Texas 2016 - 2014 — SEEG trajectory planning: combining stability, structure and scale in vessel extraction
Zuluaga M, Rodionov R, Nowell M et al. Med Image Comput Assist Interv 2014 - 2014 — A computer-assisted planning system for the placement of SEEG electrodes in the treatment of epilepsy
Zombori G, Rodionov R, Nowell M et al. Information Processing in Computer-assisted Intereventions, Fukuoka, Japan 2014 - 2014 — Computer-assisted planning in stereo EEG
Nowell M, Duncan J, Ourselin S. EANS, Prague 2014 - 2014 — Use of 3D multimodality imaging in Epilepsy Surgery
Nowell M, Duncan J. ECE, Stockholm 2014 - 2014 — Frameless stereoEEG in epilepsy surgery
Nowell M, Miserocchi A, McEvoy A. SBNS Spring 2014 - 2014 — Introduction to Epilepsy Surgery
Nowell M. ILAE GP Teaching course, Birmingham - 2013 — Principles of anterior temporal lobe resection
Chalfont Journal Club, Epilepsy Society, Chalfont St Peter - 2013 — Utility of 3D multimodality imaging in Epilepsy Surgery
Chalfont Journal Club, Epilepsy Society, Chalfont St Peter - 2011 — Accuracy of free hand placement of emergency external ventricular drains and the relevance to clinical outcome
Nowell M, Aquilina K. SBNS Spring 2011 - 2010 — Trigeminal radiofrequency rhizolysis in awake patients
Nowell, Hart, Coakham. SBNS Autumn 2010 - 2007 — Post mortem neuropathological findings in a patient with both subthalamic nucleus stimulator and subthalamic nucleus lesion
Laban, Nowell, Aziz, Graebe, Roncaroli, Bain. SBNS Spring 2007
- 2022 — British Association of Spinal Surgeons, Belfast
- 2021 — South West Spine Conference, Cheltenham
- 2020 — South West Spine Conference, Bath
- 2019 — British Association of Spinal Surgeons, Brighton
- 2018 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Autumn Conference, London
- 2018 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Spring Conference, Torquay
- 2018 — BritSpine, Leeds
- 2017 — South West Spine Club, Saunton Sands
- 2017 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Spring Conference, Oxford
- 2017 — British Association of Spinal Surgeons, Salford Quays
- 2016 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Autumn Conference, Stoke
- 2016 — International League Against Epilepsy, British Chapter, Dublin
- 2014 — European Congress of Neurosurgery, Prague
- 2014 — European Congress for Epilepsy, Stockholm
- 2014 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Spring Conference, London
- 2012 — European Congress for Epilepsy, Excel Centre, London
- 2011 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Spring Conference, Bristol
- 2010 — Society of British Neurosurgeons, Autumn Conference, London
- 2010 — Cambridge Lectures in Neurosurgical Anatomy, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
- 2009 — Cambridge Lectures in Neurosurgical Anatomy, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
- 2007 — Controversies in Neurosurgery Symposium II, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
- 2007 — Microsurgical Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons of England
- 2007 — Society of British Neurosurgeons Spring Conference, Charing Cross Hospital, London
- Neurosurgical Spinal Lead, Southmead Hospital
- Society of British Neurosurgeons Academic Committee, Spinal
- British Association of Spinal Surgeons
- Royal College of Surgeons of England
I would like to thank you and your team for achieving what to the layman is a remarkable piece of engineering. My family and I will be forever in your debt for having benefitted from your skills and compassion.
Mr Nowell has given me my life back. No more pain, no more nightly falls. I have to confess I was very nearly at giving up point when I thought no one would help me, so thank you to you and your team, Mr Nowell.
Thanks for all the expert care and attention you have shown me and my family. If it wasn’t for your skill and dedication I would not be where I am today.
Dr Nowell is a fantastic professional and a genuine asset. I could not be more pleased with his attention and care.
Mr Nowell is a very very good surgeon. Thank you very much.