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Peter C. Gerszten, MD, MPH
Peter E. Sheptak Professor of Neurological SurgeryDirector, Percutaneous Spine Service
Biography
Peter C. Gerszten, MD, MPH, is the Peter E. Sheptak Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Gerszten joined the Department of Neurological Surgery and the UPMC Spine Services Division in 1999. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and completed his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Gerszten obtained a master of public health degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. He completed a fellowship in spinal surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Gerszten specializes in disorders of the spine, focusing on spinal neoplasms. His clinical interests include minimally invasive approaches to the treatment of spinal disorders and spinal tumors. Dr. Gerszten’s clinical area of interest is the application of outcomes research to spinal surgical interventions. He is a pioneer in the field of spine radiosurgery and oversees the instruction of this developing area of neurosurgery for both the American Association of Neurological Surgery as well as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Gerszten currently serves on the editorial boards of both Neurosurgery as well as The Spine Journal. He is also co-editor of the book, Spine Radiosurgery, the first-ever book of its kind.
Dr. Gerszten's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.
Board Certifications
American Board of Neurological Surgeons
Hospital Privileges
Latrobe Area Hospital
Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
UPMC Presbyterian
UPMC Shadyside
Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Westmoreland Hospital
Professional Organization Membership
American College of Surgeons
American Medical Association
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Cervical Spine Research Society
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Delta Omega Public Health National Honor Society
International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society
North American Spine Society
Paleopathology Society
Allegheny County Medical Society
Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society
Pennsylvania State Medical Society
Media Appearances
Evaluar al paciente, clave en el manejo de columna vertebal
February 1, 2012
Diaro Medico
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Matures Into Mainstream Extracranial Technique (pdf)
August 2010
Elekta Wavelength
Research Activities
Dr. Gerszten serves as the Neurosurgical Principal Investigator of the National Cancer Institute Supported Radiation Therapy Oncolgy Group Cooperative Clinical Trial entitled “Phase II/III Study of Single Dose Radiosurgery for Localized Spinal Metastases.” Patient accrual into the Phase II trial was successfully completed this year and the results have been submitted for presentation. Dr. Gerszten continues to investigate the expanding role of radiosurgery for the treatment of both malignant as well as benign disease. His work evaluating the use of cone beam computed tomography image guidance for spine radiosurgery was published this year. Ongoing research includes the incorporation of spine radiosurgery into minimally invasive and percutaneous spine procedures. Dr. Gerszten’s research related to spine radiosurgery is conducted in cooperation with the International Spine Oncology Study Group as well as the International Spine Radiosurgery Consortium. Current efforts include the development and adoption of international standards for contouring and defining targets and organs at risk. Gerszten participated in the development and publication of an epidural spinal cord compression scale as well as a novel classification system for spinal instability in neoplastic disease.
Another area of research interest for Dr. Gerszten is the use of posterior lumbar non-fusion stabilization. Dr. Gerszten critically evaluated the 5-year results of the Dynesys System (Zimmer) under a prospective, randomized United States Food and Drug Administration study. The results examining this dynamic system compared to rigid stabilization were evaluated. Other research performed as part of multi-institutional FDA clinical trials that were presented and published this year included the evaluation of artificial disk replacement devices for the cervical spine as well as dural sealants used as adjuncts to sutured dural repair.
Dr. Gerszten’s clinical research also focuses on co-morbidities that may prevent patients, especially older patients, from achieving good clinical outcomes after elective lumbar spine surgery. This research is performed in collaboration with members of the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Geriatrics. One study evaluates the neuropsychiatric and cognitive predictors (e.g. depression and dementia) of surgical outcomes for lumbar spine disease in late-life patients. Another multi-institutional trial evaluates medical co-morbidites and hip osteoarthritis in older patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. The goal of these studies is to determine if future patients might benefit from proper diagnosis and treatment of these co-morbidities before spine surgery is performed in order to improve the outcomes in this patient population.
