Spinal Surgery and Spine Disease Program

The Department of Neurological Surgery participates in an internationally recognized integrated spine program. Working with the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Neurology and the Divisions of Neuroradiology and Neuropsychology, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to managing spine disease.

Such an approach is critical because spine disease will affect 8 out of 10 Americans at some point in their adult lives. Most of our patients' spine problems can be managed without surgical interventions. When surgery is required, however, our department delivers state-of-the-art technology and surgical expertise to optimally manage these problems.

The Division of Spinal Surgery offers programs for the management of spinal deformity, spine oncology, degenerative disease, minimally invasive spine surgery, and rheumatologic disorders of the spine. These specific programs are directed by experts in the field and complement the management of routine disorders of the spine.

Northwestern's program for spinal deformity includes the management of scoliosis and sagittal plane disorders, such as kyphosis and hyperlordosis, and is considered a national leader in these areas in the field of neurological surgery. Pediatric spine disorders, such as idiopathic scoliosis and congenital scoliosis, are managed by faculty members at Children's Memorial Hospital. Adult scoliosis, such as that occurring as a consequence of degenerative disease or as a late progression of idiopathic scoliosis, is managed by faculty members at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Our department is engaged in research on deformity of the spine, including the pathophysiology of scoliosis and mechanics of saggital plane disorders.

Faculty members in the Division of Spinal Surgery have a particular interest in the management of metastatic and primary tumors of the spine and spinal elements. With increasing success in the management of primary tumors, secondary sequelae of malignancy is an increasing problem. Our interest in reconstructive spine procedures has led to innovative methods for treating metastatic disease of the spine. By maximizing reconstructive approaches to metastatic disease, we successfully manage patients' pain with less medication, improve patients' mobility, and remove the need for external orthosis. See also Spine Tumor Center.

Faculty members at Northwestern have been among the pioneers of minimally invasive spine surgery including some of the original work on endoscopic discectomy. We continue to expand the horizons of minimally invasive surgery by participating in endoscopic procedures for discectomy, lumbar fusion, and thoracic sympothectomy and discectomy. Research is also being conducted to advance the management of scoliosis through minimally invasive techniques.

Degenerative diseases of the spine will affect most Americans as they age. While most of these problems can be managed nonsurgically, surgery remains an important part of treating patients with degenerative joint and disc disease. Our department offers state-of-the-art surgical management in both decompressive and fusion procedures.

Rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis are severely disabling conditions for many patients. Due to their destructive nature, a complex array of spine disorders can occur from the occipital cervical junction to throughout the cervical spine. In addition, the lumbar spine and lumbar sacral junction can be affected. Such problems can often be managed nonsurgically in a multidisciplinary way. When surgery is required, advanced technologies, such as foraminal stereotactic surgery, improve safety, fixation, and patient outcomes.

Osteoporosis has become an increasing problem as the Baby Boom generation ages. While medical therapy remains the mainstay of treating osteoporosis, surgical management is occasionally required. Due to the softening of the bone, standard surgical techniques often cannot be applied successfully. While our department faculty members have extensive experience in the management of patients with osteoporosis, we continue to explore new and better ways of caring for these patients. For instance, we are conducting research on the fundamental biology and biomechanics of the osteoporotic spine.

Robin M. Bowman, MD
Children's Memorial Hospital
E-mail: rbowman@childrensmemorial.org

George R. Cybulski, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
E-mail: George.Cybulski@nmff.org

Egon M.R. Doppenberg, MD
E-mail: edoppenberg@enh.org

Aruna Ganju, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
E-mail: aganju@nmff.org

Yevgeniy A. Khavkin, MD
Evanston Hospital
E-mail: ykhavkin@enh.org

Tyler Koski, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
E-mail: Tyler.Koski@nmff.org

James K. Liu, MD
Evanston Hospital
E-mail: jliu@enh.org

John C. Liu, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
E-mail: jliu@nmff.org

Kenji Muro, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
E-mail: Kenji.Muro@nmff.org

Stephen L. Ondra, MD
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Evanston Hospital
Children's Memorial Hospital
E-mail: sondra@nmff.org

For additional information or to schedule a consultation, please call 312/695-8143.

Return to main clinical divisions webpage

Return to top of page