Dr Mathew Tung Yu Yee

About Dr Mathew Tung

Dr Mathew Tung Yu Yee is a neurosurgeon in Singapore treating both brain and spinal conditions. He completed his neurosurgery training in Singapore and the United Kingdom, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.

He has practised as a neurosurgeon in Singapore and in Penang, returning to Singapore in 2013. Consultations are available in English, Mandarin, Malay and Hokkien.

His approach prioritises conservative treatment. Non-invasive options are considered before open surgery, with the aim of minimising morbidity and returning patients to normal function quickly. In spinal conditions he emphasises motion preservation, and prefers reversible treatments that can be repeated over fusion wherever possible. He is known for a thorough diagnostic approach — examining symptoms carefully to find the underlying cause rather than treating the presentation.

Training

• Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
• Singapore General Hospital
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London
• Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham

Continued education

Dr Tung keeps abreast of developing techniques through courses and attachments overseas:

• Europe — stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy, spinal surgery, and disc replacement
• America — skull base approaches to acoustic neuroma
• China — endovascular techniques for vascular disorders

What Dr Mathew Tung treats

Headache and migraine

A substantial part of the practice, and largely non-surgical. Dr Tung manages migraine using neuromodulation techniques alongside preventive treatment, with the aim of reducing how often and how severely attacks occur rather than only treating them once they begin. Approaches include:

• Preventive pharmacotherapy, including CGRP inhibitors
• Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF)
• Occipital nerve treatments
• Sphenopalatine blocks with radiofrequency
• Cervical epidural injections

Headaches · Migraine · Silent migraine · Cluster headache · Tension headache · Dizziness and vertigo

Spine and nerve

Neck and back pain, sciatica, leg pain, tailbone pain, carpal tunnel and radial tunnel syndrome. For spinal pain from stenosis, herniated discs and facet inflammation, Dr Tung works with radiologists to offer CT-guided nerve interventions — radiofrequency nerve ablation, diskoplasty, and facet or nerve root blocks.

Neck pain · Lower back pain · Sciatica · Tailbone pain · Nerve leg pain · Carpal tunnel syndrome · Radial tunnel syndrome

Brain

Brain tumours, hydrocephalus and ventricular tumours. For vascular conditions — aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and stroke — Dr Tung works with interventional neuroradiologists on endovascular treatments including flow-diverting stents and intra-aneurysmal flow disruptors.

Brain aneurysm · Stroke · Concussion

Procedures

Where surgery is needed, Dr Tung uses endoscopic and minimally invasive “keyhole” microsurgery, including Matrix Tube Spine Surgery. These techniques generally mean less pain, minimal scarring, faster recovery and a lower risk of chronic pain than open approaches.

• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiotherapy (SRT) for brain tumours
• Endoscope-assisted access to pituitary adenoma
• Treatment of hydrocephalus and ventricular tumours
• Microscopic brain tumour surgery
• Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
• Spinal laminectomy for spinal tumours
• Cervical and lumbar disc replacement
• Spinal decompression and fusion (TLIF)
• Cervical and lumbar foraminotomy
• Discectomy and denervation
• Facet joint injections
• Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for sweaty palms
• Matrix Tube Spine Surgery

Teaching and media

Dr Tung has lectured and presented at institutions across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

• Sembang Sihat, Suria (Mediacorp) — Season 4, Episode 9, raising awareness of severe head injuries and concussion, in Malay
• The Straits Times — quoted on how heavy use of digital devices can trigger headaches
• MoneyFM 89.3 — interview on dizziness and health, August 2020