Spine


	Brain Tumors Cerebrovascular Epilepsy Gamma Knife/Radiosurgery MI Center: Craniosynostosis (Endoscopic Repair) Movement Disorders (Parkinson's, Tremors) Pain / Trigeminal Neuralgia Pediatrics Peripheral Nerve Pituitary Tumors Skull Base Tumor Surgery Spine





	Department of Neurosurgery Washington University School of Medicine Campus Box 8057 660 S. Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 362-3577

Clinical Specialty
Spine

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the spine and spinal cord has long been an integral part of the department of Neurological Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. Now with five fellowship-trained neurosurgeons focused primarily on treatment of the spine, the Spine Division offers complete care of spinal disorders at Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The Spine Division sees approximately 1,350 new patients in consultation and performs approximately 665 spinal surgeries each year. We treat the entire spectrum of disorders of the spine and spinal cord – from the routine to the highly complex. The Spine Division has expertise in the treatment of craniocervical, cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral disorders. Spinal disorders resulting from degenerative disease, trauma, tumors, inflammatory conditions, congenital and vascular problems, and infectious disease are all treated by the Division. The faculty of the Spine Division are making significant contributions to the advancement of spinal surgery through the development of new techniques, involvement in clinical studies and publishing groundbreaking material on spinal disorders. Translaminar fixation, a surgical technique of the upper cervical spine was developed by one of the faculty. This technique greatly reduces the operative risks during treatment of instability of the atlantoaxial (C1-2) junction. In addition to all traditional approaches to the spine, the Spine Division offers the most up-to-date minimally-invasive techniques to obtain the best possible outcome. The Division has expertise in all approaches to the spine, including anterior, posterior, lateral and endoscopic. The Spine Division actively participates in clinical studies on new and emerging technologies, including the FDA-approved multi-center trial on the Cervicore artificial disc. Stem cell transplantation for spinal cord repair, is a groundbreaking paper authored by a faculty member in the Spine Division. The faculty have published extensively and have lectured on spinal disorders both nationally and internationally.
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CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS
The Spine Division receives a significant number of patient referrals from the region. We are equally skilled in treating straightforward spinal disorders such as herniated discs and neck and back pain, and complicated disorders such as C1-2 instability and tumors of the spine. Multi-disciplinary Approach The Spine Division is part of a larger multi-disciplinary approach to spinal disease at Washington University, such that spine patients have at their disposal the leading specialists in each field, including surgical partners in Thoracic surgery, Vascular surgery, and Ear, Nose and Throat surgery. For conservative care and the non-operative treatment of spinal disorders, the Spine Division collaborates with physical and occupational therapy, rehabilitation and physiatry services, and pain management. The Spine Division is associated with the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, providing world-leading rehabilitation services for patients with spinal injuries. . PROBLEMS WE TREAT Degenerative Spinal Conditions Back Pain Herniated discs (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) can occur in any part of the spine. Most herniated discs affect the lower back (lumbar spine). Some occur in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine). Neck Pain is most often caused by repeated or prolonged movements of the neck’s muscles, bones, tendons or ligaments. It usually results in a strain, a sprain, spasm of the neck muscles or inflammation. Ossification posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) Osteoarthritis is found primarily in the hips, knees, hands and back and is most common in older people. Radiculopathy Spondylolisthesis is a condition that happens when a bone in your back slides over the bone below it. It usually occurs in the lower spine. In some cases, your spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed or squeezed. This can cause pain and numbness or weakness in your legs. Spondylosis Spondylotic myelopathy Synovial cysts Traumatic Spinal Conditions Atlantoaxial instability is characterized by increased mobility at the articulation of the first and second cervical vertebrae (atlantoaxial joint). Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that can interfere with how messages travel back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can result in complete or partial loss of movement (paralysis) and feeling and complete or partial loss of bladder and bowel function. Spinal fractures Tumors of the Spine and Spinal Cord Benign Spinal Tumors Aneurysmal Bone Cysts (ABCs) Eosinophilic Granuloma Giant Cell Tumor Hemangioma Osteoblastoma Osteochondroma Osteoid Osteoma Malignant Spinal Tumors Chondrosarcoma Chordoma Ewing's Sarcoma Lymphoma Osteosarcoma Plasmacytoma Schwannoma M or B Spinal astrocytoma M or B Spinal Meningioma M or B Vascular Spinal Disorders Spinal fractures Spinal arteriovenous malformations Spinal A-V fistulae Congenital Spinal Disorders Arachnoid cysts are fluid-filled sacs that occur on the arachnoid membrane that covers the brain (intracranial) and the spinal cord (spinal). Myelomeningocele Diastematomyelia Os odontoideum Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around the spinal cord. Inflammatory Spinal Disorders Rheumatoid arthritis-related spinal conditions Ankylosing spondylitis Osteoarthritis is a disease primarily found in the hips, knees, hands and back and is most common in older people.
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FACULTY
Adult Spinal Neurosurgeons Robert L. Grubb, M.D. Eric C. Leuthardt, M.D. Paul Santiago, M.D. Todd J. Stewart, M.D. Neill M. Wright, M.D. Pediatric Spinal Neurosurgeons* Jeffrey Leonard, M.D. *Pediatric spine patients are typically seen by Dr. Leonard. However, our adult spinal neurosurgeons will see complicated pediatric spine patients on a scheduled, case-by-case basis.
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CONFERENCES
The Neurosurgery Spine Division recently created the multi-disciplinary Spine Tumor Board to optimize the care and treatment of patients with tumors of the spine and/or spinal cord. This board brings together neurosurgery, orthopedics, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to collectively discuss the best treatments for each patient. Physicians wishing to submit cases for review should contact the Spine Division Nurse Coordinator at (314) 747-6561.
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MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Adult Patients Contact us at (314) 362-3577 (Option 1) Adult Referring Physicians Contact us at (314) 362-3577 (Option 2) Adult Spine Health History Form Pediatric Patients or Physicians Contact us at (314) 454-2810
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PATIENT OFFICE LOCATIONS
Adult Patients Neurosurgical Cervical Spine Institute and Spine Center Center for Advanced Medicine 4921 Parkview Place, Suite 6B St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Barnes-Jewish West County Office 1040 North Mason Road, Suite 211 Creve Coeur, Missouri 63141 Pediatric Patients St. Louis Children’s Hospital 1 Children’s Place, Suite 4E St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Helpful Maps
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SPECIALTY LINKS
Pediatric Neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine Pain Center at Washington University School of Medicine Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis Washington University Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery Spine Universe BACK TO TOP

Washington University Physicians	Washington University	Barnes-Jewish Hospital	St. Louis Children's Hospital