 |
Home | Overview | Faculty | Training | Research | Search | Resources | Media Archive | For Patients | Contact Us |
|
Department Faculty |
Amin B. Kassam, MD |
Professor of Neurological Surgery Also see Media Appearances below. Specialized Areas of Interest Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, vascular surgery, skull base surgery, pituitary surgery, tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, and hemifacial spasm. Biography Amin Kassam, MD, is professor of neurological surgery and director of the UPMC Minimally Invasive endoNeurosurgery Center. He completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Toronto, his residency training at the University of Ottawa and then joined the faculty of the department of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. Since that time, Dr. Kassam has performed more than 2,500 neurosurgical procedures. He has focused on developing the multidisciplinary Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Center (MINC), which provides comprehensive care for complex pathology of the skull base and entire brain. MINC draws on the strengths and talents of physicians in multiple specialties — including otolargynology, ophthalmology, plastic and maxillofacial surgery, interventional radiology, and medical and radiation oncology — thereby using proven conventional approaches in conjunction with new minimally invasive endoscopic approaches to provide safe and effective treatment for patients. Dr. Kassam has performed hundreds of microvascular decompression (MVD) procedures for cranial nerve neuropathy for patients from around the world. He has provided a unique perspective by using the endoscope to visualize and enhance difficult regions. His extensive experience with MVD has offered relief for patients with cranial nerve disorders including trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain), atypical trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm (facial twitch), glossopharyngeal neuralgia (throat pain), vertigo (balance disorder), tinnitus (ringing in ears), geniculate neuralgia (deep ear pain) and occipital neuralgia. Dr. Kassam and colleagues Drs. Carl Snyderman and Ricardo Carrau were involved with the development of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA), representing an entirely new paradigm to remove complex lesions of the skull base and brain without incisions. Dr. Kassam is known for pioneering and innovative efforts to develop minimally invasive techniques to remove tumors deep in the brain and along the base of the skull. In contrast, conventional surgeries to remove those tumors can require peeling back skin and muscle, cutting large holes in the skull, or removing facial bones, all of which can represent significant tissue trauma, discomfort, and even disfigurement for patients. Dr. Kassam also custom-designed two instruments unique to EEA surgery, the “Mikaeel” dissectors and “Armand” Holders, named after his sons. With continued research and experience, he now uses the EEA surgery for most tumors affecting the skull base. Dr. Kassam remains active in cerebrovascular surgery and has helped to develop a program to better understand the genetic alterations that lead to the development of intracranial aneurysms. Dr. Kassam has authored or co-authored 88 scientific journal articles and numerous book chapters. He has also lectured extensively nationally and internationally on surgery of the cranial nerves, skull base and minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Kassam served as chair of the department from May 2007 through June of 2009. Dr. Kassam's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database with additional references found on his curriculum vitae. Board Certifications Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Hospital Privileges Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Professional Organization Membership American Association of Neurological Surgeons Editorial Service • Editorial Board: Neurological Research • Ad Hoc Reviewer: Journal of Neuroimaging The Right Hospital for You Rare surgery to restore Jain Acharya's eyesight Surgery through a straw A million well-wishers, 15 doctors point guru to Pittsburgh Odyssey (pdf) Brain tumor doesn't stop LeeAnn Padula Celebs in the ER Add to Pressure on Docs Surgery without scars 'Miracle kid' thanks surgeons and God for second life without tumor A New Path to Brain Surgery: Endoscopic Endonasal Approach Scarless surgeries gaining ground Removing brain tumors New brain surgery technique works for children Nose brain surgery OK for kids The art of healing: Three doctors, three patients, three medical miracles Expanded endonasal approach treats difficult aneurysm Nose jobs: Surgeons find new path for brain surgery Pittsburgh doctors pioneer technique for brain surgery Minimally invasive surgery for brain tumors Alternative to brain surgery
|
Dr. Kassam
Pittsburgh Professional Magazine 'Odyssey' article (pdf)
Dr. Kassam featured doc in Pittsburgh Magazine 2006 'Best Docs' issue.
|
|
© 2001-09 Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh. This website is intended for educational purposes only. The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Please see your physician before taking any medical action. Do not duplicate in any form. All rights reserved. Please read full legal disclaimer and privacy policy. Please direct all web-specific inquiries to our web manager. |