2024 Congress of Neurological Surgeons: Miller School Leads on Latest in Neurological Surgery
Article Summary
- Miller School neurological surgery faculty presented on brain and spine tumor management at the 2024 Congress of Neurological Surgeons conference.
- Among researcher highlights, Dr. Michael Ivan discussed the latest in management of complex, skull-based tumors.
- Dr. Ashish Shah presented on new, novel targets for incurable brain tumors.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine neurological surgery faculty presented their latest findings on the management of complex brain tumors and skull-based surgeries, novel targets for incurable brain tumors, treatment of benign brain tumors and spine surgery at the 2024 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).
“The Congress of Neurological Surgeons meeting is one of our premiere neurosurgical meetings which, through the advancement of neurosurgical education and scientific exchange, enhances the health and improves the lives of our patients,” said Allan Levi, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of neurological surgery at the Miller School.
Complex, Skull-based Tumors
More than 9,600 neurosurgeons worldwide are members of CNS. At the meeting, Michael Ivan, M.D., associate professor of neurological surgery at the Miller School and director of research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Brain Tumor Initiative, presented on the updated management options for specific molecular subtypes of pituitary tumors and spoke about his experience with treating complex, skull-based tumors.
“Regarding skull-based tumors, I discussed the key aspects in treating extremely complex tumors, sharing my experiences, learning points and the use of new technology when making difficult treatment decisions,” said Dr. Ivan, who directs the Miller School’s Skull Base Surgery Program. “Large, complex skull-based tumors sometimes require multiday surgery and combined approaches with multiple specialties in order to address these large masses that overlap the brain, skull base and head and neck.”
In case examples, Dr. Ivan touched on novel tools for preparation, such as augmented reality and 3D printing of patient-specific models, as well as novel research taking place at the Miller School.
“The work that we’re doing at the Miller School will let us take the next step in the treatment of these tumors while decreasing the risks and increasing overall benefits and control of these difficult-to-manage tumors,” Dr. Ivan said.
Dr. Ivan also participated in programs to inspire future neurological surgeons. The University of Miami Miller School has one of the largest neurosurgery programs in U.S. Dr. Ivan spoke to medical students and residents about ways to excel in residency, prepare for their careers and learn about interviewing for residencies and jobs.
Dr. Ivan valued the opportunity to meet with the CNS Joint Tumor Section, a group of which he is a member of the executive board.
“During tumor section meetings, surgeons known throughout the U.S. known for their interest in brain tumors come together and talk about all aspects of this disease process: Treating patients, protocols, coding and insurance, standards of care, new technologies, guidelines and educating the next generation,” he said. “It’s an incredibly important meeting because it really takes everybody in the country to discuss these issues and work together to move forward.”
Novel Targets for Incurable Brain Tumors
Ashish Shah, M.D., assistant professor of neurological surgery, and neurosurgery resident Dr. Victor Lu presented an update on the management of malignant brain tumors.
“We at the Miller School are investigating novel targets and molecular targets for incurable brain tumors. Our work has identified an inflammatory protein, TLR4, that is overexpressed in glioblastoma that may contribute to its aggressiveness and spread,” Dr. Shah said. “Using targeted inhibitors, we hope to improve outcomes and reduce neuroinflammation due to this pathway.”
Dr. Shah also discussed novel mechanisms to improve the immune response in malignant brain tumors by activating an anti-viral immune response.
“Our lab was fortunate to present our work and collaborate with other neurosurgical oncologists at the meeting, so we can translate our discoveries to the clinic,” he said.
Jay Chander, a medical student in Dr. Shah’s lab, presented two talks:
• “Heat Shock Proteins Predict Clinical Response and Potentiate Local Immunogenicity after LITT for Glioblastoma”
• “Non-Invasive Multiplex ELISA Identifies Clinical Responders to Autologous Dendritic Cell Vaccine for Recurrent High-Grade Glioma in Phase 1 Clinical Trial.”
Graduate student Ray Castro was also awarded Top Basic Science Tumor Poster for his work investigating a novel dark kinase STK17A in GBM.
Spine Surgery Advances
Michael Wang, M.D., M.B.A, professor of neurological surgery and chief of service and medical director of the Miller School’s Minimally Invasive Spine Program, presented three spine surgery-focused topics:
• “MIS Endoscopic Fusion”
• “Spine Surgery: A Tale of Two Cities”
• “Awake Spine Surgery: Fad or for Real?”’
“At CNS, we shared some of the major advancements that have been made by our group in ultra-minimally invasive spine surgery,” Dr. Wang said. “We educated other neurosurgeons on our protocols for the use of sedation for spinal surgery and offered technical pearls on how to achieve successful results when performing awake, endoscopic spinal fusions.”
S. Shelby Burks, M.D., assistant professor of neurological surgery at the Miller School, presented “Peripheral Nerve Entrapment versus Radiculopathy,” an important topic given that mistaking peripheral and spinal pathology can lead to unnecessary surgery and patient suffering.
“At CNS we hosted a seminar reviewing common entrapment neuropathies and how to differentiate these from spinal pathology,” Dr. Burks said. “I am grateful for my training and experience in both spine and peripheral nerve surgery and shared that knowledge with other surgeons at CNS.”
Tags: brain surgery, brain tumors, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Allan D. Levi, Dr. Ashish Shah, Dr. Michael Ivan, Dr. Michael Wang, Dr. Stephen Shelby Burks, neurosurgery, spine surgery