Posts by Ganesh M. Shankar, MD, PhD
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Review: Novel Applications of Spinal Navigation in Deformity and Oncology Surgery
Elie Massaad, MD, and colleagues recently reviewed early work showing the promise of computer-assisted navigation—beyond screw placement—in surgeries to correct spinal deformities and resect spinal tumors.
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Topical Tranexamic Acid: An Effective Hemostatic Agent for Complex Spine Surgeries
In a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing topical tranexamic acid (tTXA) with IV TXA and saline, neurosurgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital determined that tTXA, used at the end of spinal deformity surgery, effectively promotes hemostasis but does not reduce the risk of postoperative complications.
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Metastatic Spinal Tumor Frailty Index Does Not Perform Consistently
Surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital found the Metastatic Spinal Tumor Frailty Index did not predict complications, in-patient mortality or length of stay following metastatic spinal tumor surgery when applied to data outside the development cohort.
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Genotyping Assay Accelerates Diagnosis of Primary CNS Lymphoma, Detects Other Hematologic Malignancies
Bob S. Carter, MD, PhD, and Ganesh M. Shankar, MD, PhD, of the Department of Neurosurgery, have developed a targeted genotyping assay that shortens the time to diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma and may reduce the need for neurosurgical biopsy.
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Surgery May Not Improve Survival After First Documented Progression of Glioblastoma
After controlling for several potentially confounding factors, neurosurgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital found that resection of progressive glioblastoma is not significantly associated with prolonged post-progression survival, even if gross total resection is achieved.
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Genetic Alterations Affect Prognosis of Lung Cancer Patients with Spinal Metastases
Mass General researchers are exploring how genetic mutational data could help guide surgical decision-making for patients who have lung cancer metastatic to the spine.
Biography
Dr. Shankar completed his neurosurgery residency at Mass General and a fellowship in complex spine surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. His clinical specialization encompasses the evaluation and surgical management of all spine pathologies, ranging from degenerative disorders, primary and metastatic spine tumors, intradural pathologies, spine infections, and spine trauma. His surgical approaches include minimally invasive techniques. He specializes in complex spine procedures requiring revision surgery and correction of spine deformities.
Dr. Shankar also performs research on bone biology and molecular determinants of primary and metastatic spine neoplasms. He serves as the Neurosurgical Director of Biospecimen Banking for the Department of Neurosurgery. His research has been recognized by awards from the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, and AO Spine North America.