Neurosurgery

This team is a young research group with a clear mission: improve the quality of life of patients and, at the same time, be able to contribute improvements in healthcare practice through research into potentially surgical neurological disease. There are 4 areas of knowledge where our group stands out nationally and internationally: neuro-oncology, skull base, functional neurosurgery, and spine.

Main lines of research

• Tumor biology: gliomas (prognostic value of different mutations in anaplastic astrocytoma and GBM). (Freixer, Berta; Casitas Vicente).
• Tumor biology: Neuroendocrine Tumors (pituitary adenomas). (Muñoz Hernandez, Fernando).
• Biomarkers in anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme. (Freixer, Berta; Casitas Vicente).
• Application of new technologies in the resection of intracranial tumors. (De Quintana Schmidt, Cristian Jose).
• Towards a pharmacological treatment for SYNGAP1 deficiency. Preclinical studies to investigate the efficacy of 4 drugs in the rescue of the main phenotypes. (Freixer, Berta; Casitas Vicente).
• Prospective study of patients operated by endoscopic endonasal approach. (Muñoz Hernandez, Fernando).
• Anatomical studies of the skull base. (Muñoz Hernandez, Fernando).
• Clinical evaluation of neurostimulation techniques in different neurological entities (Parkinson's disease and neuropathic pain). (Rodriguez Rodriguez, Rodrigo; Aibar Duran, Juan Angel).
• Neurostimulation for resistant craniofacial pain (jointly with Neurology and Pain Clinic Unit). (Rodriguez Rodriguez, Rodrigo; Aibar Duran, Juan Angel).
• Study of brain neuromodulation techniques for psychiatric indications (depression and schizophrenia). (Rodriguez Rodriguez, Rodrigo; Aibar Duran, Juan Angel).
• Use of intraoperative ecography for treatment of brain tumors. (De Quintana Schmidt, Cristian Jose).
• Monitor the glioma tumor diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic factors (Hospital Sant Pau). (Freixer, Berta; Casitas Vicente).
• Pituitary adenoma treatment: medial cavernous sinus wall approach to cure adenomas. (Muñoz Hernandez, Fernando).
• Intraoperative neuromonitoring of oculomotor cranial nerves in skull base tumors. (Muñoz Hernandez, Fernando).
• Pre-op and post-op volumetric study in OPEN laminectomies vs. MISS (tubular) laminectomies. (Patino Alvarado, Juan Diego; Leidinger, Andreas).
• The impact of lateral lumbar interbody fusion on psoas muscle morphology. (Patino Alvarado, Juan Diego; Leidinger, Andreas).

Scientific Challenges

• Neurotech Laboratory is a research and development lab dedicated to the design and testing of human implantable and external neuromodulation devices aimed at improving specific neurological conditions.
• Neurostimulation for resistant craniofacial pain (jointly with Neurology and Pain Clinic Unit).
• Deep brain stimulation for resistant psychiatric disease: depression and schizophrenia.
• Use of intraoperative ecography for treatment of brain tumors. How to maximize the extent of resection.
• Use of tractography in resection of brain tumors
• Better outcomes in pituitary surgery by removing the tumor inside the cavernous sinus
• Use of artificial intelligence and volume calculation to assess outcomes of spine surgery
• Implementation of HIFU treatment in patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Contact

Fernando Muñoz
fmunoz@santpau.cat