Research Components of the Program

Residents in the GW Neurosurgery residency program are actively involved in all the departmental research. In addition to ongoing clinical research projects in the department at GW, residents have the opportunity to take advantage of the many multidisciplinary basic science research projects at GW. For more information on the type of research that occurs in this department, click here. You can also see a list of recent publications which residents authored below.

The rotation of GW Neurosurgery residents at NIH further strengthens the research training received during the time spent at GW. Under the direction of Dr. John Heiss, residents are exposed to cutting-edge research in the largest medical research institution in the world. Medicine at the NIH is practiced with patient care and medical research side-by-side, so that gains made in the laboratory are readily applied to patient care. This type of environment is not available anywhere else, and is a valuable part of the training experience at GW.

Resident Research and Publications: 

Retrobulbar Hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau Disease: Clinical Course and Management.
Alvarez R, Mastorakos P, Hogan E, Scott G, Lonser RR, Wiley HE, Chew EY, Chittiboina P.Neurosurgery. 2021 Apr 15;88(5):1012-1020. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa565.PMID: 33442737

Coagulation Profile as a Significant Risk Factor for Short-Term Complications and Mortality after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.
Almeida ND, Lee R, Wei C, Lee D, Asif U, Almeida NC, Klein AL, Hogan E, Sack K, Sherman JH.World Neurosurg. 2021 Apr;148:e74-e86. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.12.007. Epub 2020 Dec 9.PMID: 33307267

Fornicotomy for the Treatment of Epilepsy: An Examination of Historical Literature in the Setting of Modern Operative Techniques.
Kundu B, Lucke-Wold B, Foster C, Englot DJ, Urhie O, Nwafor D, Rolston JD.Neurosurgery. 2020 Aug 1;87(2):157-165. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyz554.PMID: 31885037

How I do it: Subtemporal transtentorial approach for cavernous malformation of the pons.
Jean WC, Davis GL.Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s00701-020-04457-9. Online ahead of print.PMID: 32562122

The Benefits of Limited Orbitotomy on the Supraorbital Approach: An Anatomic and Morphometric Study in Virtual Reality.
Tai AX, Sack KD, Herur-Raman A, Jean WC.Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2020 May 1;18(5):542-550. doi: 10.1093/ons/opz201.PMID: 31334552

The impact of COVID-19 on neurosurgeons and the strategy for triaging non-emergent operations: a global neurosurgery study.
Jean WC, Ironside NT, Sack KD, Felbaum DR, Syed HR.Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020 Jun;162(6):1229-1240. doi: 10.1007/s00701-020-04342-5. Epub 2020 Apr 21.PMID: 32314059 

A minimally invasive surgical approach for the treatment of piriformis syndrome: a case series.
Hogan E, Vora D, Sherman JH.Chin Neurosurg J. 2020 Mar 30;6:8. doi: 10.1186/s41016-020-00189-y. eCollection 2020.PMID: 32922937 

Application of Indocyanine Green During Arteriovenous Malformation Surgery: Evidence, Techniques, and Practical Pearls.
Foster CH, Morone PJ, Tomlinson SB, Cohen-Gadol AA.Front Surg. 2019 Dec 11;6:70. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2019.00070. eCollection 2019.PMID: 31921884 

Perioperative Complications Associated with Severity of Anemia in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Spinal Procedures.
Almeida ND, Lee R, Bestourous D, Klein AL, Parekh NR, Sack K, Sherman JH.World Neurosurg. 2020 Mar;135:e307-e320. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.11.159. Epub 2019 Dec 10.PMID: 31841719

Getting with the Guidelines for Stroke Triage: Progress Toward Meaningful Change.
Sack KD, Sigounas DG.World Neurosurg. 2019 Nov;131:281-282. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.08.081.PMID: 31658552 No abstract available.

Retrocondylar Far-Lateral Approach for Resection of a Craniocervical Junction Hemangioblastoma.
Tai AX, Knudson K, Jean WC.J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2019 Dec;80(Suppl 4):S349-S351. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1698821. Epub 2019 Oct 22.PMID: 31750058 

Early Experience with Electric Scooter Injuries Requiring Neurosurgical Evaluation in District of Columbia: A Case Series.
Schlaff CD, Sack KD, Elliott RJ, Rosner MK.World Neurosurg. 2019 Dec;132:202-207. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.08.237. Epub 2019 Sep 7.PMID: 31505288

Cold Atmospheric Plasma as an Adjunct to Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme.
Almeida ND, Klein AL, Hogan EA, Terhaar SJ, Kedda J, Uppal P, Sack K, Keidar M, Sherman JH.World Neurosurg. 2019 Oct;130:369-376. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.06.209. Epub 2019 Jul 5.PMID: 31284051 Review.

An anatomical study of the foramen of Monro: implications in management of pineal tumors presenting with hydrocephalus.
Jean WC, Tai AX, Hogan E, Herur-Raman A, Felbaum DR, Leonardo J, Syed HR.Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2019 May;161(5):975-983. doi: 10.1007/s00701-019-03887-4. Epub 2019 Apr 5.PMID: 30953154

Threshold for Tonic Motor Effects from Random Waveform in a Rat Experimental Model of Frontal Cortex Stimulation.
Leiphart JW, Ye Z, Lee M, Loew MH.Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2019;97(5-6):313-318. doi: 10.1159/000503022. Epub 2020 Jan 7.PMID: 31910428

Clinical Management of Prostate Cancer Metastasis to Pineal Gland: Case Report and Review of Literature.
Hogan E, Almira-Suarez I, Li S, Collins SP, Jean WC.World Neurosurg. 2019 Feb;122:464-468. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.11.111. Epub 2018 Nov 24.PMID: 30476672 Review.

Awake craniotomy in glioma surgery: is it necessary?
Foster CH, Morone PJ, Cohen-Gadol A.J Neurosurg Sci. 2019 Apr;63(2):162-178. doi: 10.23736/S0390-5616.18.04590-3. Epub 2018 Sep 25.PMID: 30259721 Review.

Thoracic Paraspinal Castleman Disease in a Young Mexican-American Man with Postcoital Hematuria.
Foster CH, Elahi C, Cheney S, Trier T, Torabi A, Manglik N.World Neurosurg. 2018 Dec;120:36-42. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.08.091. Epub 2018 Aug 27.PMID: 30165219

Endoscopic Transnasal Transclival Approach to a Pontine Cavernoma with Associated Developmental Venous Anomaly.
Erickson N, Siu A, Sherman JH, Gragnaniello C, Singh A, Litvack Z.World Neurosurg. 2018 Oct;118:212-218. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.07.084. Epub 2018 Jul 18.PMID: 30031191

Effectiveness of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography as a Guide for Palliative Radiation Therapy for Spinal Metastases.
Almeida ND, Adams C, Davis GL, Starke RM, Buro J, Nasr N, McRae D, Cernica G, Caputy A, Hong R, Sherman J.World Neurosurg. 2018 Jul;115:e67-e72. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.03.171. Epub 2018 Mar 31.PMID: 29614361

Aspergillus spinal epidural abscess: case presentation and review of the literature.
Shweikeh F, Zyck S, Sweiss F, Sangtani A, Shweikeh M, Issa H, Steinmetz MP, Markarian GZ.Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2018 Mar 7;4:19. doi: 10.1038/s41394-018-0046-y. eCollection 2018.PMID: 29531797 

Creating a Culture of Collaboration: A Brief History of Academic Neurosurgery in Washington, DC.
Siu A, Neal CJ, Syed HR, Felbaum DR, Nair MN, McGrail KM, Caputy AJ, Shields DC.Neurosurgery. 2017 Dec 1;81(6):1029-1039. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyx187.PMID: 28449097

Delayed Traumatic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Formation Causing Vertebral Body Erosion and Back Pain: Case Report and Literature Review.
Cappuzzo JM, Knudson KE, Sarin S, Babrowicz J, Cherrick A, Sherman JH.World Neurosurg. 2018 Feb;110:232-239. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.11.035. Epub 2017 Nov 15.PMID: 29155110 Review.

Transcondylar approach for resection of lateral medullary cavernous malformation.
Sweiss F, Jean WC.Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2018 Feb;160(2):291-294. doi: 10.1007/s00701-017-3372-0. Epub 2017 Oct 31.PMID: 29086026

Pediatric spondylolysis/spinal stenosis and disc herniation: national trends in decompression and discectomy surgery evaluated through the Kids' Inpatient Database.
Huynh TR, Lagman C, Sweiss F, Shweikeh F, Nuño M, Drazin D.Childs Nerv Syst. 2017 Sep;33(9):1563-1570. doi: 10.1007/s00381-017-3471-5. Epub 2017 Jun 22.PMID: 28643037

Comparison of posterior fossa volumes and clinical outcomes after decompression of Chiari malformation Type I.
Khalsa SSS, Siu A, DeFreitas TA, Cappuzzo JM, Myseros JS, Magge SN, Oluigbo CO, Keating RF.J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2017 May;19(5):511-517. doi: 10.3171/2016.11.PEDS16263. Epub 2017 Feb 17.PMID: 28291422

ZEB1 expression is increased in IDH1-mutant lower-grade gliomas.
Nesvick CL, Zhang C, Edwards NA, Montgomery BK, Lee M, Yang C, Wang H, Zhu D, Heiss JD, Merrill MJ, Ray-Chaudhury A, Zhuang Z.J Neurooncol. 2016 Oct;130(1):111-122. doi: 10.1007/s11060-016-2240-8. Epub 2016 Aug 27.PMID: 27568035 

A Cost Analysis of Regional Versus General Anesthesia for Carotid Endarterectomy.
Siu A, Patel J, Prentice HA, Cappuzzo JM, Hashemi H, Mukherjee D.Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Feb;39:189-194. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2016.05.124. Epub 2016 Aug 20.PMID: 27554700

High-grade glioma with anterior skull base erosion and intranasal extension: case report.
Stib MT, Johnson M, Siu A, Almira-Suarez MI, Litvack Z, Singh A, Sherman JH.J Neurosurg. 2017 May;126(5):1484-1487. doi: 10.3171/2016.4.JNS151724. Epub 2016 Jun 3.PMID: 27257831

Isolated unilateral trismus as a presentation of Chiari malformation: case report.
Feinberg M, Babington P, Sood S, Keating R.J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2016 May;17(5):533-6. doi: 10.3171/2015.7.PEDS1592. Epub 2016 Jan 1.PMID: 26722762

Necessity for Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Glioma Resection.
Young RM, Sherman JH.World Neurosurg. 2015 Dec;84(6):1530-1. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2015.07.023. Epub 2015 Jul 15.PMID: 26187113 No abstract available.

Use of cold atmospheric plasma in the treatment of cancer.
Babington P, Rajjoub K, Canady J, Siu A, Keidar M, Sherman JH.Biointerphases. 2015 Jun 19;10(2):029403. doi: 10.1116/1.4915264.PMID: 25791295 Review.

Differential Effects of Cold Atmospheric Plasma in the Treatment of Malignant Glioma.
Siu A, Volotskova O, Cheng X, Khalsa SS, Bian K, Murad F, Keidar M, Sherman JH.PLoS One. 2015 Jun 17;10(6):e0126313. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126313. eCollection 2015.PMID: 26083405 

Current trends in the surgical management and treatment of adult glioblastoma.
Young RM, Jamshidi A, Davis G, Sherman JH.Ann Transl Med. 2015 Jun;3(9):121. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.05.10.PMID: 26207249 

Neurosurgical management in traumatic brain injury.
Feinberg M, Mai JC, Ecklund J.Semin Neurol. 2015 Feb;35(1):50-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1544244. Epub 2015 Feb 25.PMID: 25714867 Review.

Acute management of military-related injury.
Gilhooly J, Siu A, Beare M, Ecklund JM.Handb Clin Neurol. 2015;127:379-93. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52892-6.00024-6.PMID: 25702229 Review.

Extraventricular neurocytomas.
Sweiss FB, Lee M, Sherman JH.Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2015 Jan;26(1):99-104. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2014.09.004.PMID: 25432188 Review.

Intracranial injectable tumor model: technical advancements.
Gragnaniello C, Gagliardi F, Chau AM, Nader R, Siu A, Litvack Z, Luca BD, Seex K, Mortini P, Caputy AJ, Al-Mefty O.J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2014 Oct;75(5):301-8. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1368148. Epub 2014 Jul 21.PMID: 25276597 

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma of the sacrum: case report.
Winter A, Siu A, Jamshidi A, Malawer M, Sherman JH.J Neurosurg Spine. 2014 Aug;21(2):275-8. doi: 10.3171/2014.3.SPINE13651. Epub 2014 May 2.PMID: 24785972

Unilateral coronal craniosynostosis and Down syndrome.
Siu A, Rogers GF, Myseros JS, Khalsa SS, Keating RF, Magge SN.J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2014 May;13(5):568-71. doi: 10.3171/2014.2.PEDS13504. Epub 2014 Mar 17.PMID: 24635134

Brain metastasis in bone and soft tissue cancers: a review of incidence, interventions, and outcomes.
Shweikeh F, Bukavina L, Saeed K, Sarkis R, Suneja A, Sweiss F, Drazin D.Sarcoma. 2014;2014:475175. doi: 10.1155/2014/475175. Epub 2014 Mar 16.PMID: 24757391 

Association of cerebellopontine angle atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors with acute facial nerve palsy in infants.
Siu A, Lee M, Rice R, Myseros JS.J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2014 Jan;13(1):29-32. doi: 10.3171/2013.10.PEDS13292. Epub 2013 Nov 15.PMID: 24236449

A historical perspective: stereotactic lesions for the treatment of epilepsy.
Leiphart JW, Young RM, Shields DC.Seizure. 2014 Jan;23(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.10.006. Epub 2013 Oct 19.PMID: 24216485 

Sorafenib tosylate as a radiosensitizer in malignant astrocytoma.
Sherman JH, Kirzner J, Siu A, Amos S, Hussaini IM.J Clin Neurosci. 2014 Jan;21(1):131-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2013.04.010. Epub 2013 Oct 18.PMID: 24139873

Successful endoscopic repair of persistent cerebrospinal fluid leak following attempted transcranial repair.
Siu A, Vashishta R, Goodman JF, Roberti F, Singh A.J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2013 Dec;74 Suppl 1:e107-10. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1328957. Epub 2013 Mar 19.PMID: 23512587

Relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia of brachial plexus after marrow transplant.
Sweet JA, Jones RV, Siu A, DePalma L, Caputy AJ.Muscle Nerve. 2012 Mar;45(3):440-4. doi: 10.1002/mus.22292.PMID: 22334183

The role of avastin in the management of recurrent glioblastoma.
Sweet JA, Feinberg ML, Sherman JH.Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2012 Apr;23(2):331-41, x. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2012.02.001. Epub 2012 Feb 25.PMID: 22440876 Review.

The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the management of high-grade gliomas.
Wind JJ, Young R, Saini A, Sherman JH.Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2012 Apr;23(2):247-58, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2012.01.001. Epub 2012 Feb 14.PMID: 22440868 Review.

Radiation necrosis following treatment of high grade glioma--a review of the literature and current understanding.
Siu A, Wind JJ, Iorgulescu JB, Chan TA, Yamada Y, Sherman JH.Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2012 Feb;154(2):191-201; discussion 201. doi: 10.1007/s00701-011-1228-6. Epub 2011 Dec 1.PMID: 22130634 Review.

Rapid improvement of cranial neuropathies after endoscopic resection of sphenoid sinus mucocele.
Siu A, Singh A, Roberti F.Skull Base Rep. 2011 May;1(1):23-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1275249. Epub 2011 Apr 4.PMID: 23984198