CNS Journal Club

June 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: Assessing Neurosurgery Training: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Case Minimums Versus Surgical Autonomy To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/06000/assessing_neurosurgery_training__accreditation.19.aspx Author: Michael Haglund Guest Faculty: Gabriel Zada Resident Planner: Laura Zima Moderator: Rafael Vega

Title: Wellness Podcast: Impact and Possible Solutions for Decreasing Admin Burden for Neurosurgeons Guest Faculty: Anthony DiGiorgio and Charles Mackel Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Lara Massie In this episode of the CNS Wellness Podcast, Charles Mackel and Anthony DiGiorgio will discuss sources of physician burnout, meaningful work, and the administrative component of a successful career in neurosurgery.

May 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: Microsurgical Treatment of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Collaborative Investigation From the Multicenter Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/05000/microsurgical_treatment_of_intracranial_dural.12.aspx Author: Kunal Raygor Guest Faculty: Matthew Koch Moderator: Zachary Sorrentino Committee Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Controversies in Neurosurgery: Carbon Fiber versus Titanium in Metastatic Spine Cancer Guest Faculty: Ilya Laufer Hosts: Brian Gantwerker, MD and W. Christopher Newman, MD In this episode we will discuss the use of carbon fiber implants for spinal instrumentation in patients with metastatic spine cancer, covering the indications, benefits, and limitations. We also will discuss how to incorporate these implants into your practice.

This guideline was created as an educational tool to guide qualified physicians through a series of diagnostic and treatment decisions to improve the quality and efficiency of care for adult patients with Brain Metastases treated with Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT). J. Bradley Elder, MD Mark E. Linskey, M.D., FAANS Kristin Huntoon, PhD, DO Brandon Lucke-Wold, MD, PhD

April 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: Spatial Distribution of Meningiomas: A Magnetic Resonance Image Atlas To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/04000/spatial_distribution_of_meningiomas__a_magnetic.9.aspx Authors: Wenya Linda Bi and Ruchit Patel Guest Faculty: Jennifer Moliterno Moderator: Rafael Vega Resident Planner: Helen Shi

Title: MMA vs. Evacuation for Chronic SDH Guest Faculty: Richard W. Williamson, MD Hosts: Lara Massie, MD and Seth Oliveria, MD In this CNS Controversies podcast, we discuss the origin of MMA embolization, types of trials, success rate in practice, and the ideal candidate.

March 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: Gene Expression Changes Associated With Recurrence After Gross Total Resection of Newly Diagnosed World Health Organization Grade 1 Meningioma To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/03000/gene_expression_changes_associated_with_recurrence.6.aspx Author: Ramin Morshed Guest Faculty: Tomas Garzon-Muvdi Moderator: Kimberly Hoang Resident Planner: Alexander Himstead

Title: Motion Preservation vs. Fusion Guest Faculty: Michael Steinmetz, MD Hosts: Brian Gantwerker, MD and Christopher Newman, MD In this CNS Controversies podcast, we discuss the options of motion preservation surgery. We engage with Dr. Michael Steinmetz, Professor and endowed Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, about his experiences and thoughts on fusion alternatives.

February 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Surgical Risk Calculator as a Predictor of Postoperative Outcomes After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/02000/american_college_of_surgeons_national_surgical.12.aspx Authors: Jeffrey Mullin Guest faculty: Daniel Carr Moderator: Rafael Vega Resident Planner: Roxana Beladi

Title: What Cases Are Safe for the ASC? Guest Faculty: Robert S. Bray, Jr., MD Hosts: Lara W. Massie, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD In this episode we talk to Dr. Robert Bray about performing increasingly complex neurosurgical procedures in the ambulatory surgery center setting. We discuss strategies to safely and efficiently discharge patients home within 24 hours of surgery as well as the limits of this approach.

January 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: Endoscopic versus Traditional Thoracic Discectomy: A Multi-center Retrospective Case Series and Meta-analysis To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/01000/endoscopic_versus_traditional_thoracic_discectomy_.18.aspx Authors: Sanjay Konakondla Guest faculty: Juan Uribe Moderator: Brian Saway Committee Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Staged Focused Ultrasound vs. DBS for Essential Tremor Guest Faculty: G. Rees Cosgrove, MD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD We welcome Dr. Rees Cosgrove to discuss his extensive experience with focused ultrasound and how this compares to deep brain stimulation. We review differences in patient experience and outcome between these two procedures and how to navigate the surge in popularity of FUS when counseling patients of their options.

December 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: How Do the True Intraoperative Costs of Endoscopic Diskectomy Compare With Microdiskectomy for Lumbar Disk Herniations? A Time-Driven Activity-Based Cost Analysis To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/onsonline/fulltext/2024/12000/how_do_the_true_intraoperative_costs_of_endoscopic.3.aspx Authors: Ahilan Sivaganesan Guest faculty: Muhammad Abd-El-Barr Moderator: James Malcolm Committee Co-chair: Rafael Vega

This guideline was created as an educational tool to guide qualified physicians through a series of diagnostic and treatment decisions to improve the quality and efficiency of care for adult patients with Brain Metastases treated with Immunotherapy. J. Bradley Elder, MD Jeffrey J. Olson, MD D. Ryan Ormond, MD, Phd

Title: How to Effectively Train Neurosurgery Residents: Balance of High Expectations, Feedback, and Support Guest faculty: Kojo Hamilton and Nader Dahdaleh Host: Lara Massie and Scott Zuckerman This episode will discuss effective strategies on how to train neurosurgery residents. Rather than focusing on ways to teach surgery, this podcast will delve into the interpersonal strategies on how to achieve optimal communication with residents and support them in a way that maximizes their potential.

November 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Subtemporal Approach for the Treatment of Ruptured and Unruptured Distal Basilar Artery Aneurysms: Is There a Contemporary Use? To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/onsonline/fulltext/2024/11000/subtemporal_approach_for_the_treatment_of_ruptured.7.aspx Authors: William Couldwell Guest faculty: Christopher Graffeo Moderator: Helen Shi Committee Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Ethical Considerations of Big Data and AI Utilization in Research Guest Faculty: Nader Pouratian, MD, PhD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD We will delve into the critical ethical considerations surrounding the use of big data and artificial intelligence in research. As these technologies continue to advance and become more integrated into research methodologies, it is essential to address the ethical implications they present.

October 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Extended Long-Term Outcome After Conservative Decompressive Microsurgery and Routine Adjuvant Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Symptomatic Cavernous Sinus Meningiomas To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/10000/extended_long_term_outcome_after_conservative.14.aspx Authors: Joachim Krauss and Manolis Polemikos Guest faculty: Jacques Morcos Moderator: Jeffrey Traylor Committee Co-chair: Rafael Vega

Title: Stress in Neurosurgery: Handling Bad Outcomes and Being Present at Home Guest faculty: Robert Spetzler, MD Host: Brian Gantwerker, MD In this episode, Dr. Gantwerker interviews one of the most prolific neurosurgeons and gets to the heart of how he balanced achievement, stress, family, and unexpected outcomes. Dr. Spetzler will provide examples neurosurgeons at all career stages can learn from on how to de-stress and achieve a harmonious relationship with one's career and personal life.

September 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: “Home Field Advantage”: The Presence of a “Home” Neurosurgical Residency Training Program is Associated With Improved Match Outcomes To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/09000/_home_field_advantage___the_presence_of_a__home_.28.aspx Author: Lola B. Chambless Guest faculty: Fernando F. Gonzalez Moderator: Alexander Suarez Committee Co-chair: Kimberly B. Hoang

Title: Laser Ablation vs. Mini Craniotomy/Tube Retractor for Tumors Guest Faculty: Ian Lee, MD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD We will be joined by our guest Dr. Ian Lee to discuss use of stereotactic laser ablation, mini craniotomy and/or tube retractors to treat brain tumors. We will focus on understanding the advantages and weaknesses of these techniques to help develop a framework to apply toward clinical decision making in addition to traditional open resection techniques.

August 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Real-Time Intraoperative Ultrasound Using a Minimally Invasive Transducer During Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/onsonline/fulltext/2024/08000/real_time_intraoperative_ultrasound_using_a.9.aspx Author: Timothy Chryssikos Guest faculty: Muhammad Abd-El-Barr Moderator: Brian Saway Committee Co-chair: Rafael Vega

Title: Optimizing the Surgeon Athlete Guest faculty: Burak Ozgur, MD Host: Amir Vokshoor, MD In this episode, Dr. Burak Ozgur will discuss how the neurosurgeon athlete can integrate physical and mental fitness methods, endurance, longevity, and family relationships to achieve work-life balance.

July 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Usefulness and Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Responses to Patient Questions for Neurosurgical Procedures To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/07000/usefulness_and_accuracy_of_artificial_intelligence.18.aspx Author: Joseph Hudson Guest faculty: Todd Hollon Moderator: Katherine Holste Podcast Committee Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

Title: ACDF vs. Cervical Arthroplasty Guest Faculty: Benjamin D. Elder, MD PhD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD Dr. Benjamin Elder will discuss the indications, current evidence, limitations and pitfalls of ACDF versus arthroplasty for cervical disc disease.

June 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Does Tighter Glycemic Control Beyond Hemoglobin A1c of 8% Improve Outcome for Lumbar Spine Surgery? A MSSIC Study To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/06000/does_tighter_glycemic_control_beyond_hemoglobin.5.aspx Author: Victor Chang Guest faculty: Matthew Gary Resident Planner: James Malcolm Moderator: Rafael Vega

Title: How to Deal With Complications – Both at Work and at Home Guest faculty: Christopher Shaffrey, MD Host: Lara Massie, MD and Scott Zuckerman, MD, MPH Every surgeon will experience complications. We are often protected in residency from feeling the true weight of the responsibility or dealing with the patient long-term. Dr. Christopher Shaffrey will discuss how to manage complications medically/ethically, the shame that accompanies them, and how to both protect yourself and the patient from the challenging feelings that are difficult to navigate.

May 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Price Transparency for Cervical Spinal Fusion Among High-Performing Spine Centers in the United States To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/05000/price_transparency_for_cervical_spinal_fusion.13.aspx Author: Michael Mooney Guest faculty: Andrew Jea Resident Planner: Helen Shi Moderator: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Deformity Correction vs. Decompression for Scoliosis Guest Faculty: Victor W. Chang, MD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD We will discuss application of open and minimally invasive approaches to spinal fusion, including circumstances where each is clearly favored and where there is controversy amongst surgical approaches.

April 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Lower Cranial Nerve Schwannomas: Cohort Study and Systematic Review To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/04000/lower_cranial_nerve_schwannomas__cohort_study_and.12.aspx Author: Michael Link Guest faculty: Paul Gardner Resident Planner: Jeffrey Traylor Moderator: Rafael Vega

Title: Connecting to Patients Without Compromise Guest faculty: Richard G. Ellenbogen, MD Host: Brian R. Gantwerker, MD Dr. Gantwerker and Dr. Ellenbogen will discuss their techniques for building trust, delivering on promises, and connecting to patients and their families during potentially stressful interactions. We will discuss what works, what not to do, and how connecting to our patients helps mitigate physician burnout and increase patient satisfaction.

March 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Neurological Surgery Residency Programs in the United States: A National Cross-Sectional Survey To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/03000/neurological_surgery_residency_programs_in_the.12.aspx Senior Author: Brian Nahed Guest faculty: Robert Harbaugh Resident Planner: Alex Suarez Moderator: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Deformity Correction vs. Decompression for Scoliosis Guest Faculty: Lara Massie, MD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD Dr. Massie will discuss the indications, current evidence, limitations, and pitfalls of corrective spine surgery versus decompression for patients with scoliosis.

Length: 27.30 minutes This guideline was created as an educational tool to guide qualified physicians in assessing patients' bone mineral density prior to spine surgery and how to optimize it with select treatments if it is found to be a risk for poor surgical outcomes. Participants:  J. Bradley Elder, MD John Dimar, MD Praveen V. Mummaneni, MD Rushikesh Joshi, MD

February 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Global Outcomes for Microsurgical Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A Benchmark Analysis of 2245 Cases To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/02000/global_outcomes_for_microsurgical_clipping_of.17.aspx Corresponding Author: Lasse Dührsen First Author: Richard Drexler Guest faculty: Alejandro Spiotta Moderator: Brian Saway Co-chair: Rafael Vega

Title: Understanding the Neurosurgical Mindset and Work Ethic - How Not to Burn Out Guest faculty: Daniel F. Kelly, MD Host: Amir Vokshoor, MD Dr. Kelly will join us in discussing how the neurosurgical mindset can lead to increased levels of stress and burnout and how we avoid it.

January 2024 Journal Club Podcast Title: Social Determinants of Health and Associations with Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Brain Tumors To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2024/01000/social_determinants_of_health_and_associations.13.aspx Author: Renee Reynolds Guest faculty: Neena Marupudi Moderator: Katherine Holste Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Shunting vs. ETV/Choroid Plexus Fulguration for Hydrocephalus Guest Faculty: Michael G. DeCuypere, MD, PhD Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD In this episode we will speak with Dr. Michael DeCuypere about the use of endoscopic techniques including endoscopic third ventriculostomy and/or choroid plexus coagulation in the management of pediatric hydrocephalus.

November 2023 Guidelines Podcast Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines on the Treatment of Pediatric Hydrocephalus: Update of the 2014 Guidelines. This podcast updates the 2014 guideline by affirming its recommendations as well as highlighting changes based on new literature, including recommendations on neuro-endoscopic lavage for intraventricular hemorrhage of prematurity and antibiotic impregnated shunt tubing to prevent post operative shunt infection. CNS Guidelines Podcast Host and Moderator: J. Bradley Elder, MD Author: David F. Bauer, MD, MPH Co-host: Brandon Laing, MD

December 2023 Journal Club Podcast This podcast features two journal articles. Titles: -International Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma Study: Surgical Outcomes and Management Trends -International Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma Study: Preoperative Grading Scale to Predict Outcomes and Propensity Matched Outcomes by Endonasal vs Transcranial Approach To read journal articles: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2023/12000/international_tuberculum_sellae_meningioma_study_.8.aspx https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2023/12000/international_tuberculum_sellae_meningioma_study_.9.aspx Author: Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD Guest faculty: Wenya Linda Bi, MD, PhD Moderator: Jeffrey I. Traylor, MD Co-chair: Rafael A. Vega, MD, PhD

Title: Becoming an Active Listener Guest faculty: Elyne Kahn, MD and Reid C. Thompson, MD Host: Brian R. Gantwerker, MD We will discuss how to actively listen, the value of listening, and how listening more can improve all aspects of your practice. By taking a pause to reflect and listen to others, we in turn will be more effective at nearly all aspects of our job and life.

October 2023 Guidelines Podcast Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for patients with Chiari Malformations: Part III - Special Edition - Bobby Jones CSF This podcast highlights the benefits to patients and surgeons of including a patient advocate on the guideline team. It also provides a second perspective on appropriate surgical interventions in the treatment of patients with Chiari I malformation (CIM). CNS Guidelines Podcast Host and Moderator: J. Bradley Elder, MD Author: Cormac Maher, MD, Chief of Pediatric Surgery, Stanford Medicine - Children's Health Guest: Dorothy Poppe, Executive Director, Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation

November 2023 Journal Club Podcast Title: A Direct Comparison of Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNI) to Prevent Neuroma Pain To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/9900/a_direct_comparison_of_targeted_muscle.762.aspx Author: Jenna-Lynn B. Senger, PhD and Christine A. Webber, PhD Guest faculty: Thomas J. Wilson, MD Moderator: Alexander Suarez, MD Co-chair: Kimberly B. Hoang, MD

Title: Aggressive Care for Traumatic Brain Injury: Action versus Nihilism in Neurosurgery Guest Faculty: David Okonkwo Hosts: Rushna Ali, MD and Seth F. Oliveria, MD PhD We welcome our guest Dr. Okonkwo to discuss the current evidence, limitations, and pitfalls of aggressive care for TBI.

September 2023 Guidelines Podcast Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for patients with Chiari Malformations: Part II (Surgical Interventions) This clinical guideline has been created to improve patient care by outlining the appropriate surgical interventions involved in the treatment of patients with Chiari I malformation (CIM). This guideline was created as an educational tool to guide qualified physicians through a series of surgically-related decisions to improve the quality and efficiency of care for patients with CIM. CNS Guidelines Podcast Host and Moderator: J. Bradley Elder, MD First Author: Jogi V. Pattisapu MD FAAP FACS FAANS Resident Fellow and Co-Host: Brandon Laing, MD

October 2023 Journal Club Podcast Title: Digital Biomarkers and The Evolution of Spine Care Outcomes Measures: Smartphones and Wearables To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2023/10000/digital_biomarkers_and_the_evolution_of_spine_care.6.aspx Author: Eric Oermann Guest faculty: Christoph Hofstetter Moderator: Brian Saway Co-chair: Rafael Vega

Title: Advocacy Guest faculty: John Ratliff, MD, FACS Host: Brian R. Gantwerker, MD Dr. Ratliff will discuss his road to becoming a physician advocate. Panelists will discuss goals to set forth and the potential obstacles and allies in affecting positive change in medicine. Dr Ratliff will discuss the small and big things neurosurgeons can do to become more involved in the political processes affecting medicine, and neurosurgery in particular.

This clinical guideline has been created to improve patient care by outlining the appropriate diagnostic and decision-making processes involved in the treatment of patients with Chiari I malformation (CIM). This guideline was created as an educational tool to guide qualified physicians through a series of diagnostic and treatment decisions to improve the quality and efficiency of care for patients with CIM. J. Bradley Elder, MD David F. Bauer, MD, MPH Eric M. Jackson, MD

September 2023 Journal Club Podcast Title: Robustness of Randomized Control Trials Supporting Current Neurosurgery Guidelines To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2023/09000/robustness_of_randomized_control_trials_supporting.7.aspx Author: Pascal Zinn Guest faculty: Nader Pouratian Moderator: Jeffrey Traylor Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

Title: Communication and Feedback Techniques for Neurosurgeons Guest faculty: Ellen L. Air, MD and Lynn E. Webb, PhD Hosts: Lara W. Massie, MD and Scott Zuckerman, MD, MPH This CNS Podcast episode will focus on communication and feedback techniques within the neurosurgical team. From department chair to sub-intern, patient care involves daily communication across multiple generations and increasingly numerous modalities; expanding one's own communication skills and feedback style can help decrease miscommunications.