Dr. Michael Chicoine provides keynote lecture at 2023 Keller Lectures

Understanding the basic anatomy of the brain and its surrounding structures leads to better neurosurgery technique and better outcomes for patients with cranial disorders, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Chicoine told a group of neurosurgeons and medical residents Dec. 1, kicking off the annual Keller Lectures presented by the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation.

Dr. Chicoine, chair of neurosurgery at the University of Missouri, joined 12 previous Keller Lecturers who have served as keynote speakers at the annual event. The lecture and lab-demonstration sessions recognize the contributions of Jeffrey Keller, PhD, a renowned neuroanatomist at the University of Cincinnati and a board member of the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation. Dr. Keller has been training surgeons, residents and medical students in applied neuroanatomy for more than 30 years. Dr. Chicoine completed a skull base fellowship in Cincinnati with Dr. Keller and several Mayfield Brain & Spine neurosurgeons in the late 1990s.

Dr. Chicoine, chair of neurosurgery at the University of Missouri, joined 12 previous Keller Lecturers who have headlined the annual event. The lecture and lab-demonstration sessions honor the contributions of Jeffrey Keller, PhD, a renowned neuroanatomist at the University of Cincinnati and a board member of the Mayfield Foundation. Dr. Keller has been training surgeons, residents and medical students in applied neuroanatomy for more than 30 years. Dr. Chicoine completed a skull base fellowship in Cincinnati with Dr. Keller and several Mayfield Brain & Spine neurosurgeons in the late 1990s.

“Dr. Keller has affected the lives of tens of thousands of patients through his work training surgeons,” he said.

In his keynote lecture, Dr. Chicoine focused on the importance of anatomical structures in designing the proper treatment for each individual patient. One example: the use of the frontal sinus as a window to skull base surgery, an approach that depends on the depth of the frontal sinus and the shape of the orbital rim. This approach is used less often today with development of endoscopic and endonasal techniques, but it can produce advantages for the patient, including preservation of the sense of smell, he said.

This can involve working closely with an otolaryngologist, or ENT surgeon, to consider the best route of access to the tumor.

“You should think about how the anatomy is affecting the disease,” he said. “Think of the bone that will have to be removed and how you will reconstruct it.”

Dr. Chicoine’s lecture led off two days of activity for the Keller Lectures that culminated with hands-on dissections and laboratory sessions in the Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center lab. The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation operates the leading-edge training facility for spine and cranial surgery technology and procedures.

Other presentations during the Keller Lectures weekend included:

• Dr. Vincent DiNapoli of Mayfield Brain & Spine spoke on “Bicoronal approaches to the anterior skull base.”
• Dr. Norberto Andaluz of the University of Cincinnati spoke on “Transorbital approaches.”
• Dr. Yair Gozal of Mayfield spoke on “Decompression of the cavernous sinus.”
• Dr. Chicioine presented on “Petroclival junction, subtemporal approaches.”
• Dr. Lee Zimmer of Mercy Health spoke on “Transpterygoid surgical approaches.”

Contact:
Cliff Peale, Senior Writer/Media Relations Specialist
cpeale@mayfieldclinic.com
Office: 513-569-5236
Mobile: 513-544-1190