Faculty
Dr. Papanastassiou Wins President’s Translational and Entrepreneurial Research Fund Award
September 22, 2020
The Department of Neurosurgery is excited to share the news that Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D., was recently named a winner of the President’s Translational and Entrepreneurial Research Fund 2020 Awards. Dr. Papanastassiou’s winning project, the “Rook Procedure Scheduler,” is a software platform that streamlines booking surgeries and procedures. It also manages conflicts and pre-authorization.
“D’s on Keys” Free Virtual Event Available to Public This Saturday
September 14, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty member Alexander Papanastassiou, MD, will be performing at “D’s on Keys” this Saturday (September 20th) at 11 am. “D’s on Keys” is a fundraising event for Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW), a local performing arts organization. This virtual broadcast of their annual show will honor the first responders and healthcare workers in our community […]
Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, FNCS, Invents Device to Stop Hiccups
September 11, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty member Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, FNCS, has invented a device to stop hiccups. Dr. Seifi’s device forces users to exert effort to suction water. Negative pressure in the chest pulls down the diaphragm, which activates the phrenic nerve. When water comes into the mouth and swallowing occurs, the vagus nerve is […]
Lee Birnbaum, M.D., Promoted to Professor
September 2, 2020
The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to announce the promotion of Lee Birnbaum, M.D., to the position of professor. Dr. Birnbaum is a board-certified neurologist in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at UT Health. His dual training in neurology and endovascular neurosurgery provides him with a unique perspective when treating vascular disorders of the […]
Dr. Mascitelli Co-authors Paper Examining Mechanical Thrombectomy during COVID-19 Pandemic
September 1, 2020
Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently co-authored an article in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery titled “International experience of mechanical thrombectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from STAR and ENRG.” Dr. Mascitelli and his co-authors observed a low rate of COVID-19 among stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in low-COVID burden counties. They also reported that more […]
Faculty Members Publish Article Examining Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality
July 31, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, FNCS, recently coauthored an article for the Journal of Stoke and Cerebrovascular Diseases titled “Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.” The study concluded that mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with posterior circulation aneurysms and […]
Faculty members Publish Article Presenting Postmarket Analysis of New Microstent
July 24, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Lee Birnbaum, M.D., and Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently coauthored an article for the American Journal of Radiology titled “Multicenter Postmarket Analysis of the Neuroform Atlas Stent for Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms.” Their article presents a multicenter analysis of the Neuroform Atlas, a new microstent designed to assist in […]
Drs. Mascitelli and Morton Win 2020 Faculty Teaching Awards
July 22, 2020
The Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to announce that Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ryan Morton, M.D., have won the 2020 Teaching Awards for core faculty and adjunct faculty, respectively. These accolades are awarded by the residents of our department in recognition of an outstanding level of distinction in teaching as well as a true commitment […]
Faculty Members Publish Study Examining Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
July 20, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, FNCS, recently coauthored an article for the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons titled “Protective Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Outcomes After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Nationwide Analysis.” Their study concluded that subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) […]
Department of Neurosurgery Team Members Publish Case Report Describing Surgical Management of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula
July 16, 2020
Jean-Louis Caron, M.D., FRCS(c), FACS, Justin Mascitelli, M.D., Tyler Patterson, M.D., Matthew Webb, M.D., and David Wallace, M.D., recently published a case report in World Neurosurgery entitled: “Suboccipital, Supracerebellar, Infratentorial Approach for Microsurgical Clipping of a Ruptured Tentorial, Straight Sinus Type Dural Arteriovenous Fistula.” Because the surgical management of dural arteriovenous fistulas has become relatively […]