Lenia Silva

Lénia Silva, MD, is an English-speaking neurologist in Porto. She completed her neurology residency at ULS de Santo António in Porto, with experience across outpatient clinics, emergency neurology, and inpatient care, including neurocritical patients.

Her main clinical areas are cerebrovascular disease, headache, epilepsy, and dementia. She holds national and international certification in neurosonology and performs ultrasound of the neck and brain arteries herself during the consultation.

In-person consultations in Porto and online consultations · children from 15 years and adults · consultations in English and Portuguese. Russian-speaking patients are offered a medical coordinator who interprets during the visit, free of charge. Portuguese Medical Association professional license: 68340.

About the Doctor

In neurology, much of the diagnosis comes from a detailed conversation and a careful examination rather than from imaging alone. That is how Dr. Silva works. She first reconstructs the history — how the headache started, what was happening when the seizure occurred, what exactly the family noticed about the memory changes — and only then decides which tests are genuinely needed and which can be left out.

Ultrasound is a distinct part of her practice. Certified in neurosonology, Dr. Silva performs carotid and transcranial Doppler studies herself during the appointment. That means stroke risk assessment, or the workup of dizziness, can often be completed in a single visit instead of requiring a separate ultrasound appointment on another day.

Education and Experience

Dr. Silva earned her medical degree through the Integrated Master's in Medicine at the University of Minho. She completed general clinical internship training at ULS de São João in Porto, followed by her neurology residency at ULS de Santo António in Porto.

Her clinical experience covers outpatient neurology, emergency shifts, and inpatient care, including neurocritical patients: assessment of focal neurological deficits and altered consciousness, risk stratification in suspected stroke, and clinical decision-making in potentially life-threatening situations.

She holds national and international certification in neurosonology and has completed national and international courses in headache, epilepsy, stroke, and movement disorders. She has published articles in indexed national and international journals, takes part in clinical studies and research projects, and has presented talks and posters at national and international congresses.

Common Reasons Patients See Dr. Silva

• Headache — migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, chronic daily headache, and medication-overuse headache. Selecting acute and preventive treatment, and managing patients whose previous regimens have stopped working.
• Cerebrovascular disease — after a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, secondary prevention, assessment of the neck and intracranial arteries, and management of risk factors.
• Epilepsy and seizures — a first seizure, clarifying what the episodes actually are, starting and adjusting antiseizure medication, and questions about driving, pregnancy planning, and daily life.
• Memory and cognitive concerns — forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and changes in behavior noticed by family. Diagnosis of dementia and distinguishing it from other causes of cognitive decline.
• General neurology — dizziness, numbness and weakness in the limbs, nerve pain, tremor, problems with walking and balance, and sleep disorders. Interpretation of MRI, CT, and laboratory results obtained abroad, and second opinions on a diagnosis already made.

Neurosonology and In-Office Procedures

Carotid and vertebral duplex ultrasound (cervical Doppler). Assessment of atherosclerotic plaque, degree of narrowing, and blood flow in the neck arteries. Used for stroke risk assessment, the workup of dizziness, and follow-up after a stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Assessment of blood flow in the intracranial arteries: stenosis, vasospasm, and collateral circulation.

Transcranial ultrasound of the basal ganglia. Ultrasound of the brain parenchyma — a supporting study in the workup of tremor and suspected Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

Greater occipital nerve block with lidocaine. An in-office procedure for occipital neuralgia, and also for migraine and cluster headache when oral medication is not enough. It takes a few minutes, requires no preparation, and you can return to your usual activities right afterward.

All of these studies are performed by the neurologist herself during the consultation — no separate diagnostic appointment is required.

Documents and Medical Certificates

Prescriptions, test referrals, and a written consultation report are issued during the appointment. Dr. Silva also prepares medical certificates and reports for insurance companies and for treating physicians in other countries. No referral from a general practitioner is needed to book.

What Happens During the Visit

The visit begins with a detailed conversation: how the symptoms developed, what preceded them, what medications you take, and whether anyone in your family has had something similar. A neurological examination follows, and where it is needed, the ultrasound study of the arteries is done during the same appointment.

Dr. Silva then explains in plain language what is happening and sets out a plan: which tests are genuinely needed, what treatment is being started, and when you should come back. Laboratory tests, an ECG, and ultrasound can all be done at the clinic the same day.

Languages and Interpretation

Dr. Silva is an English-speaking neurologist and also consults in Portuguese, so English-speaking patients in Porto are seen without an interpreter. For Russian-speaking patients, United Medical Clinic provides a medical coordinator who interprets during the visit and helps afterward with prescriptions and referrals, at no additional cost.

How to Book an Appointment

You can book at umc.clinic by choosing a time that suits you, on WhatsApp, through the Telegram bot @umcl_bot, or by phone. We see patients with and without health insurance, and no referral is required. Porto clinic: R. do Dr. Alfredo Magalhães 90, Trindade; Trindade and Faria Guimarães metro stations.