Friday, May 1, 2026
Regis W. Haid Jr. Symposium: Tier 1 Operators in Spine, Business and Special Forces
Session time: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT
Location: Room 220, Level 2, HGBCC
Track: Non-CME; Ticketed; Symposium
Talk: 8:00 AM – 8:14 AM
Title: Cervical Surgery for Spinal Cord Injury in Professional Athletes
Speaker: David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Incorporation of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence into Cranial Neurosurgical Practice
Session time: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT
Location: Room 303, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Ticketed; Practical Clinic
Talk: 9:19 AM – 9:29 AM
Title: Operative Notes Writing with AI
Speaker: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Plenary II
Session time: 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM CT
Location: Enter through AANS Exhibit Hall, HBGCC
Track: A Must-See Session
Talk: 10:17 AM – 10:25 AM
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 – UPMC
Complication Avoidance, Recognition and Management of Complex Tumor Cases
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 1, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Tumor
Talk: 2:04 PM – 2:15 PM
Title: AVOIDANCE — Preoperative Practices to Minimize Complication Risk
Speaker: Georgios A. Zenonos, MD – UPMC Neurosurgery
Pain Rapid Fire Abstracts
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 2, HBGCC
Track: Pain
Talk: 2:27 PM – 2:29 PM
Title: Predictors of Long-Term Pain Relief After Microvascular Decompression Stratified by Neurovascular Conflicts
Presenting Author: Dongwon Lee, BS – Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Talk: 2:42 PM – 2:44 PM
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 – UPMC Neurosurgery
Talk: 3:03 PM – 3:05 PM
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 – UPMC Neurosurgery
Trauma Paper Posters
Session time: 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Trauma and Critical Care
Talk: 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Title: Multimodal Neuropsychological and Imaging Evaluation of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Presenting Author: Sohail Daulat, BS – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Matson Lecture and Top Rated Pediatric Abstracts
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Room 302A, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Pediatric
Talk: 2:48 PM – 2:56 PM
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 – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Latest International Spine Techniques Updates and Top Scoring Abstracts from the AANS/CNS Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Room 302BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Spine
Talk: 3:01 PM – 3:05 PM
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. – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Department of Neurological Surgery
Ownership and Employment in Neurosurgery: Evolving Practice Models
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Room 304AB, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Socioeconomic
Talk: 3:01 PM – 3:03 PM
Title: Gender Differences in Practice Patterns and Reimbursement Among U.S. Neurosurgeons
Presenting Author: Sohail Daulat, BS – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pediatric Functional Neurosurgery: Pain, Movement Disorders and Epilepsy
Session time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM CT
Location: Room 302A, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Pediatric
Talk: 4:00 PM – 4:05 PM
Title: Welcome and Introduction
Speakers: Taylor Abel, MD – University of Pittsburgh; Jeffrey S. Raskin, MD – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
Spine Rapid Fire Abstracts
Session time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 2, HBGCC
Track: Spine
Talk: 4:15 PM – 4:17 PM
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 – UPMC Dept. of Neurological Surgery
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Stereotactic & Functional Rapid Fire Abstracts
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 1, HBGCC
Track: Stereotactic and Functional
Talk: 2:39 PM – 2:41 PM
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 – University of Pittsburgh
"How To" Spine Videos: Step by Step Approach to Mastery
Session time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM CT
Location: Room 301BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Spine
Talk: 3:16 PM – 3:20 PM
Title: Regional Variability in the Effects of Osteoporosis Medications: Considerations for Spine Surgery Outcomes
Presenting Author: Ben J. Carnovale – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Neurological Surgery
Spine Paper Posters
Session time: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Spine
Talk: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Title: Quantifying the Limits of Spinal Cord fMRI Segmentation Generalizability Across Centers
Presenting Author: Bhavesh R. Manne, BS – University of Pittsburgh
Talk: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
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 – UPMC
Tumor Rapid Fire Abstracts
Session time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM CT
Location: Stars at Night Ballroom 2-3, Level 3, Stage 1, HBGCC
Track: Tumor
Talk: 4:51 PM – 4:53 PM
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 – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Monday, May 4, 2026
Spine M&M: Case Presentations, Thoughtful Reflections and Strategies for Avoidance
Session time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CT
Location: Room 301BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Spine
Talk: 8:00 AM – 8:04 AM
Title: Intro to Spine Complication Prevention/Management Pearls
Speakers: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Kristen Jones, MD, FAANS – Duke University
Talk: 9:25 AM – 9:29 AM
Title: Conclusion
Speakers: D. Kojo Hamilton, MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Kristen Jones, MD, FAANS – Duke University
Strategic Career Development in Neurosurgery: From Fellowship to Faculty
Session time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CT
Location: Room 302BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday
Talk: 8:00 AM – 8:02 AM
Title: Welcome and Overview
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Talk: 9:27 AM – 9:30 AM
Title: Closing Remarks and Mentorship Sign-up Invitation (Resident SC Initiative)
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Debates in Neurotrauma
Session time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CT
Location: Room 304AB, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Cerebrovascular
Talk: 8:22 AM – 8:42 AM
Title: Guidelines: Evidence Based or Expert Consensus
Speakers: Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, MHA, FAANS; David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Cranial M&M: Case Presentations, Thoughtful Reflections and Strategies for Avoidance
Session time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CT
Location: Room 303BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Cerebrovascular
Talk: 9:15 AM – 9:19 AM
Title: Intraaxial Tumor Complications
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Minimally Invasive Cranial Tumor Surgery: Endoscopic and Parafascicular Approaches
Session time: 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM CT
Location: Room 303BC, Level 3, HBGCC
Track: Can't Miss Monday; Tumor
Talk: 9:48 AM – 9:58 AM
Title: Fascicular Anatomy and Principles of MIS Parafascicular Surgery for Brain Tumors
Speaker: Georgios A. Zenonos, MD – UPMC Neurosurgery
Talk: 10:18 AM – 10:28 AM
Title: Endoscopic Resection of Colloid Cysts and Intra-axial Tumors: Techniques and Outcomes
Speaker: Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center