Surgery of the Spine and Spinal Cord ― A Neurosurgical Approach

This book offers essential guidance on selecting the most appropriatesurgical management option for a variety of spinal conditions, includingidiopathic problems, and degenerative disease. While the first part ofthe book discusses the neuroanatomy and biomechanics of the spine, pain mechanisms,and imaging techniques, the second guides the reader through the diagnosticprocess and treatment selection for disorders of the different regions of thespine, based on the principles of evidence-based medicine. I.e., it clearlyexplains why a particular technique should be selected for a specific patienton the basis of the available evidence, which is carefully reviewed. The bookidentifies potential complications and highlights technical pearls, describingnewer surgical techniques and illustrating them with the help of images andaccompanying videos. Though primarily intended for neurosurgeons, the book willalso be of interest to orthopaedic surgeons, specialists in physical medicine, and pain specialists. ?

Dr Erik van de Kelft graduated magna cum laude as a Doctor in Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, in 1985. After 2 years of training in general surgery at the General Hospital Stuivenberg, he specialized in neurosurgery under the supervision of Drs. J.J. Martin and P. Selosse at the University Hospital, Antwerp (UZA). His training included periods in Montpellier, France and La Timone Hospital in Marseille, where he focused on pediatric neurosurgery. After successfully completing his training in 1993, Dr. van de Kelft became a permanent staff member in the Neurosurgery Department at the UZA and also a consultant at the Maria Middelares General Hospital in Sint-Niklaas. During this period, he earned a Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences, writing his doctoral thesis on the molecular genetics of malignant brain tumours. Since 1999 he has been a permanent member of the Neurosurgery Department of the Niklaas Hospital, Sint Niklaas, and the OLV (Our Lady) Hospital in Aalst; he is also a neurosurgery consultant at St. Jozef Hospital, Bornem. Dr. van de Kelft is especially known for his expertise in back surgery and in the surgical treatment of facial pain. He is the author of 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals and a regular speaker at international conferences.