Emilio M. Nardone, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.
Dr. Emilio Nardone is a surgical neuro-oncologic
specialist with added qualifications in skull base and complex spine
surgery. His extensive fellowship training in neuro-oncology at MD
Anderson Cancer Center in conjunction with both neuro and orthopedic
surgeons has given him the ability and skills to manage especially
challenging cases.
Dr. Nardone has a
special interest in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain and
spine tumors, trigeminal and vestibular schwannomas, pituitary adenomas,
meningiomas, and microvascular decompression of trigeminal and facial
nerves. He has extensive experience in the use of awake
cranial tumor surgery and intraoperative ultrasonography, as well as
neuronavigation.
He also has a special interest and expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery. He
routinely performs procedures for disc herniations, decompressive
laminectomies and fusions through keyhole incisions that have greatly
improved the success of spinal surgery, as well as patient satisfaction
and recovery time. Dr. Nardone has perfected a minimally
invasive, decompressive lumbar laminectomy procedure that he routinely
adopts, to functionally spare important stabilizing elements of the
spine, while achieving bilateral decompression through a unilateral
approach.
He has published a number of
articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as rhaboid tumors,
malignant chordomas, malignant melanoma, and on procedures to enhance
the safety and efficacy of spinal decompressions through the use of
intraoperative ultrasonography. His long-time interest in
teaching has led to the development of extensive teaching files,
including radiographic images and videos.
His
clinical research interests have encompassed brain melanomas, use of
carmustine-dehydrated alcohol into recurrent malignant gliomas, use of
intraoperative ultrasonography for spine surgeries, randomized trials in
lumbar fusions, and minimally invasive fragmentectomy with
microdiscectomy. He is the principal investigator on a
study comparing the feasibility and safety of unilateral functional
lumbar laminectomy versus the classic open laminectomy. Dr. Nardone has been the principal or a co-investigator on multiple clinical projects.
Neurosurgical
residents working under his supervision have benefitted from his calm
and positive demeanor in teaching as well as his superb skills. Dr.
Nardone has been granted the Faculty of the Year Award multiple times in
recognition of his love and excellence for teaching.