UPMC Participation at 2026 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Meeting – San Antonio

Faculty, residents, fellows, and medical students from the Department of Neurological Surgery participated in the AANS annual meeting May 1 to 4. The theme of the meeting was “Neurosurgery Frontiers: Innovation, Collaboration, Transformation.”

Friday, May 1, 2026

Regis W. Haid Jr. Symposium: Tier 1 Operators in Spine, Business and Special Forces

Session time: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
Location: Room 220, Level 2, HGBCC
Track: Non-CME; Ticketed; Symposium

Talk: 8–8:14 a.m.
Title: Cervical Surgery for Spinal Cord Injury in Professional Athletes
Speaker: David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD

Incorporation of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence into Cranial Neurosurgical Practice

Session time: 8–11 a.m. CT
Location: Room 303, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Ticketed; Practical Clinic

Talk: 9:19–9:29 a.m.
Title: Operative Notes Writing with AI
Speaker: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Plenary II

Session time: 10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. CT
Location: Enter through AANS Exhibit Hall, HBGCC
Track: A Must-See Session

Talk: 10:17–10:25 a.m.
Title: The "CSDH" Grading Scheme for Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization: Stratified Risk of Surgical Rescue (Veena D. Mummaneni Award)
Presenting Author: Rachel C. Jacobs, MD

Complication Avoidance, Recognition and Management of Complex Tumor Cases

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 1, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Tumor

Talk: 2:04–2:15 p.m.
Title: AVOIDANCE — Preoperative Practices to Minimize Complication Risk
Speaker: Georgios A. Zenonos, MD

Pain Rapid Fire Abstracts

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 2, HBGCC
Track: Pain

Talk: 2:27–2:29 p.m.
Title: Predictors of Long-Term Pain Relief After Microvascular Decompression Stratified by Neurovascular Conflicts
Presenting Author: Dongwon Lee, BS

Talk: 2:42–2:44 p.m.
Title: Methylprednisolone/Bupivacaine Injection Provides Immediate Pain Relief for Patients With Refractory Type 2a Trigeminal Neuralgia With Reduced Risk of Neuropathic Pain Deterioration
Presenting Author: Nikhil Sharma, MD, MS

Talk: 3:03–3:05 p.m.
Title: Percutaneous Glycerol Rhizotomies are Effective in Achieving Immediate Pain Reduction But Not Long-Term Pain Reduction in Patients With Trigeminal Neuralgia
Presenting Author: Nikhil Sharma, MD, MS

Trauma Paper Posters

Session time: 2:45–3 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Trauma and Critical Care

Talk: 2:45–3 p.m.
Title: Multimodal Neuropsychological and Imaging Evaluation of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Presenting Author: Sohail Daulat, BS

Matson Lecture and Top Rated Pediatric Abstracts

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Room 302A, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Pediatric

Talk: 2:48–2:56 p.m.
Title: Consensus Clustering of B-cell Related Gene Signatures Reveals Six Immune Subtypes Across Pediatric Brain Tumors (Best Pediatric Basic Science Abstract)
Presenting Author: Amelia Stepniak, MS

Latest International Spine Techniques Updates and Top Scoring Abstracts from the AANS/CNS Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Room 302BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Spine

Talk: 3:01–3:05 p.m.
Title: A Dynamic Systems Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Integrating Mechanical Loading, Enzyme Inhibition and Age-Related Matrix
Presenting Author: Ayesha A. Waheed, M.B.B.S.

Ownership and Employment in Neurosurgery: Evolving Practice Models

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Room 304AB, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Socioeconomic

Talk: 3:01–3:03 PM
Title: Gender Differences in Practice Patterns and Reimbursement Among U.S. Neurosurgeons
Presenting Author: Sohail Daulat, BS

Pediatric Functional Neurosurgery: Pain, Movement Disorders and Epilepsy

Session time: 4–5 p.m. CT
Location: Room 302A, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Pediatric

Talk: 4–4:05 p.m.
Title: Welcome and Introduction
Speakers: Taylor Abel, MD; Jeffrey S. Raskin, MD – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital

Spine Rapid Fire Abstracts

Session time: 4–5 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 2, HBGCC
Track: Spine

Talk: 4:15–4:17 p.m.
Title: Bicortical Lateral Screw Fixation is Associated With a Lower Risk of Long-Term Radiographic Graft Subsidence in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Presenting Author: Anthony J. Schulien, MD

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Stereotactic & Functional Rapid Fire Abstracts

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 1, HBGCC
Track: Stereotactic and Functional

Talk: 2:39–2:41 p.m.
Title: Development of an Ex Vivo Human Brain Perfusion Platform for Real-Time Neural Monitoring and Translational Brain Computer Interface Research
Presenting Author: Ahmed Habib, MD

"How To" Spine Videos: Step by Step Approach to Mastery

Session time: 2–3 p.m. CT
Location: Room 301BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Spine

Talk: 3:16–3:20 p.m.
Title: Regional Variability in the Effects of Osteoporosis Medications: Considerations for Spine Surgery Outcomes
Presenting Author: Ben J. Carnovale

Spine Paper Posters

Session time: 4–4:45 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Spine

Talk: 4–4:45 p.m.
Title: Quantifying the Limits of Spinal Cord fMRI Segmentation Generalizability Across Centers
Presenting Author: Bhavesh R. Manne, BS

Talk: 4–4:45 p.m.
Title: Risk Factors for Hardware Failure Involving the Cervicothoracic Junction Following Posterior Cervical Instrumentation: A Decade of Experience with Two-Year Follow-Up
Presenting Author: Samuel H. Wakelin, BS

Tumor Rapid Fire Abstracts

Session time: 4–5 p.m. CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 1, HBGCC
Track: Tumor

Talk: 4:51–4:53 p.m.
Title: Leveraging Non-Linear Color Space Transformations To Enhance Categorization of Glioblastoma Cell Density at Experimental Margin by 5-ALA induced Protoporphyrin IX Fluorescence
Presenting Author: Jhair Colan, BS

Monday, May 4, 2026

Spine M&M: Case Presentations, Thoughtful Reflections and Strategies for Avoidance

Session time: 8–9 a.m. CT
Location: Room 301BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Spine

Talk: 8–8:04 a.m.
Title: Intro to Spine Complication Prevention/Management Pearls
Speakers: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD; Kristen Jones, MD, FAANS – Duke University

Talk: 9:25–9:29 a.m
Title: Conclusion
Speakers: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD; Kristen Jones, MD, FAANS – Duke University

Strategic Career Development in Neurosurgery: From Fellowship to Faculty

Session time: 8–9 a.m. CT
Location: Room 302BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday

Talk: 8–8:02 a.m.
Title: Welcome and Overview
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD

Talk: 9:27– 9:30 a.m.
Title: Closing Remarks and Mentorship Sign-up Invitation (Resident SC Initiative)
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD

Debates in Neurotrauma

Session time: 8–9 a.m. CT
Location: Room 304AB, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Cerebrovascular

Talk: 8:22–8:42 a.m.
Title: Guidelines: Evidence Based or Expert Consensus
Speakers: Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, MHA, FAANS; David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD

Cranial M&M: Case Presentations, Thoughtful Reflections and Strategies for Avoidance

Session time: 8–9 a.m. CT
Location: Room 303BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Cerebrovascular

Talk: 9:15–9:19 a.m.
Title: Intraaxial Tumor Complications
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD

Minimally Invasive Cranial Tumor Surgery: Endoscopic and Parafascicular Approaches

Session time: 9:45–11:15 a.m. CT
Location: Room 303BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Tumor

Talk: 9:48–9:58 a.m.
Title: Fascicular Anatomy and Principles of MIS Parafascicular Surgery for Brain Tumors
Speaker: Georgios A. Zenonos, MD

Talk: 10:18–10:28 a.m.
Title: Endoscopic Resection of Colloid Cysts and Intra-axial Tumors: Techniques and Outcomes
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD