Controversies in Neurosurgery: Carbon Fiber vs. Titanium in Metastatic Spine Cancer

Podcast Miniseries: Cultivating a Culture – Growing a Healthy Neurosurgical Workplace Episode 1: Being Yourself in a Big Pond Guest: Anand Veeravagu Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Chris Newman In this first episode of a 4-part miniseries, we sit down with Dr. Anand Veeravagu of Stanford for a wide-ranging conversation on building, sustaining, and evolving institutional culture. Dr. Veeravagu shares insights on navigating the dynamics of a storied institution—discussing how to honor tradition while driving innovation, foster a strong reputation, and cultivate meaningful, productive relationships along the way.

July 2025 Journal Club Podcast Title: Perioperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonist Use and Rates of Pseudarthrosis After Single-Level Lumbar Fusion: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/07000/perioperative_glucagon_like_peptide_1_agonist_use.9.aspx Author: Konstantinos Margetis Guest Faculty: Stephen Kalhorn Moderator: Brian Saway Committee Co-Chair: Kimberly Hoang

CNS Innovation Podcast Moderators: David Dornbos and Emal Lesha Guest: Uzma Samamdani In this episode of the CNS Innovation Podcast, moderators David Dornbos and Emal Lesha interview 2024 CNS Innovator of the Year Finalist, Dr. Uzma Samadani about her innovation EyeBox. They discuss pearls and pitfalls of taking an innovative idea from concept to product.

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.

Patients with metastatic brain tumors (MBTs) require a multidisciplinary team-based approach to select the best treatment interventions. This podcast updates recommendations addressing whether Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) provides benefit regarding local control, OS, PFS, performance status, or reduction in CNS side effects compared with standard management with chemotherapy, immune modulators and molecular targeted agents, SRS, WBRT, and surgical resection. 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 episode, we will discuss the procedure of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization, the indications and evidence to support the procedure’s use. We will discuss the ideal/non-ideal patient selection, and optimal timing of the procedure.