TANS 2026 CME Evaluation

Please refer to the bottom of this form for the learning objectives.

•  Compare the advantages and limitations of electrophysiology-guided versus image-guided programming techniques for deep brain stimulation • Evaluate the clinical outcomes and efficiency of different DBS programming methodologies •       Apply evidence-based approaches to optimize DBS programming for individual patients • Summarize recent advances in DBS technology and techniques for treating movement disorders •  Identify emerging indications and target selections for DBS in Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia • Recognize novel programming strategies and adaptive DBS systems to improve patient outcomes • Describe the fundamental principles and design of biohybrid neural interfaces • Evaluate the potential clinical applications of biohybrid technology in neurosurgical practice •       Discuss current limitations and future directions for translating biohybrid interfaces to clinical use • Compare the mechanisms of action, patient selection criteria, and outcomes for DBS versus RNS in epilepsy treatment • Analyze recent clinical trial data and real-world evidence supporting neuromodulation for drug-resistant epilepsy •       Develop individualized treatment plans incorporating neuromodulation options for appropriate epilepsy patients •  Identify appropriate candidates for laser interstitial thermal therapy in epilepsy based on seizure semiology and imaging findings •       Review technical aspects, safety considerations, and surgical planning for LITT procedures in epilepsy • Evaluate seizure outcomes and quality of life improvements following LITT compared to traditional resective surgery •  Differentiate between various etiologies of facial pain including trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and neuropathic pain syndromes •  Apply a systematic diagnostic approach to evaluate patients presenting with facial pain •  Implement evidence-based surgical and non-surgical treatment strategies for managing facial pain disorders *  Analyze results from major clinical trials of DBS for treatment-resistant depression and identify key lessons learned •  Discuss challenges in patient selection, target selection, and outcome measurement for psychiatric DBS •  Describe emerging technologies and methodologies that may improve future DBS trials for depression

• Trace the historical evolution of temporal lobe epilepsy surgery and foundational surgical techniques • Assess current surgical approaches and technologies for temporal lobe epilepsy including selective amygdalohippocampectomy and minimally invasive techniques • Predict future innovations in epilepsy surgery based on advances in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and personalized medicine

•  Determine appropriate treatment strategies for brain metastases based on number, size, location, and systemic disease status •  Compare outcomes and indications for surgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery, and whole brain radiation therapy • Integrate emerging immunotherapy and targeted therapy options into multimodal treatment planning for brain metastases •  Describe current brain mapping techniques including functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and intraoperative mapping modalities • Apply brain mapping data to optimize surgical approaches and maximize safe resection of eloquent area tumors •  Interpret cortical and subcortical mapping findings to preserve neurological function during tumor resection •  Identify optimal patient and tumor characteristics for laser interstitial thermal therapy treatment •  Review technical considerations for LITT including trajectory planning, thermal monitoring, and damage assessment • Evaluate oncologic outcomes, complications, and quality of life metrics following LITT for primary and metastatic brain tumors • Describe current and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in neurosurgical diagnosis, surgical planning, and patient care • Evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of AI-assisted technologies in clinical neurosurgical practice • Discuss ethical considerations and implementation strategies for integrating AI tools into neurosurgical workflows •  Explain the anatomical and physiological basis of the blood-brain barrier and its impact on drug delivery to brain tumors •  Compare surgical techniques and devices designed to bypass or disrupt the blood-brain barrier for therapeutic purposes • Assess the safety and efficacy of convection-enhanced delivery, focused ultrasound, and other methods for circumventing the blood-brain barrier •  Define connectomics and describe methods for mapping structural and functional brain networks •  Apply connectomic data to improve surgical planning and predict functional outcomes in brain tumor surgery •  Interpret network-based analyses to understand relationships between white matter tracts, cortical hubs, and neurological function •  Explain the mechanism of action of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and its potential application in brain tumors •  Review current clinical trial results and emerging evidence for CAR T-cell therapy in glioblastoma and other malignant brain tumors •  Identify challenges and opportunities for integrating immunotherapy into the surgical management of brain tumors •  Classify meningiomas according to WHO grading and molecular characteristics to guide treatment decisions •  Develop surgical strategies for managing meningiomas in various anatomical locations including skull base and complex sites • Determine appropriate adjuvant therapy and surveillance protocols for meningiomas based on grade and extent of resection •  Summarize emerging biological therapies for high-grade gliomas including oncolytic viruses, tumor-treating fields, and novel drug delivery systems •  Evaluate clinical trial evidence supporting the use of biological therapeutics in newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma •  Integrate biological therapeutics into multidisciplinary treatment plans for patients with high-grade gliomas •  Differentiate between functioning and non-functioning pituitary adenomas and determine appropriate diagnostic workup •  Compare endoscopic endonasal versus microscopic transsphenoidal approaches for pituitary tumor resection•       Manage perioperative endocrine issues and develop comprehensive follow-up plans for patients undergoing pituitary surgery

•   Describe current robotic platforms available for spine surgery and their technical capabilities •  Evaluate the accuracy, safety, and efficiency of robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement compared to conventional techniques • Discuss the learning curve, cost-effectiveness, and clinical outcomes associated with robotic spine surgery •  Assess global spinal alignment parameters including sagittal vertical axis, pelvic incidence, and thoracic kyphosis •  Incorporate alignment goals into preoperative planning for deformity correction and degenerative spine surgery •       Recognize the impact of cervical and thoracic alignment on clinical outcomes and patient-reported measures •  Analyze evidence supporting fusion versus motion preservation strategies for degenerative spine conditions • Identify patient-specific factors that influence the decision to pursue spinal fusion or non-fusion alternatives •  Compare long-term outcomes of fusion versus dynamic stabilization techniques for lumbar and cervical pathology •  Define spinoplastic techniques for wound closure and soft tissue reconstruction following complex spine surgery • Apply principles of plastic surgery to prevent and manage wound complications in spine surgery •       Collaborate effectively with plastic surgery colleagues for complex reconstructive cases following spine procedures • Apply non-technical skills principles from aviation including teamwork, communication, and decision-making to neurosurgical practice •  Identify common threats to patient safety that parallel aviation safety challenges •  Implement systematic approaches to error prevention and crisis management in the operating room •  Formulate treatment strategies for primary and metastatic spine tumors based on histology, location, and neurological status •  Execute complex surgical approaches including en bloc resection and separation surgery for spine tumors • Coordinate multidisciplinary care including radiation oncology and medical oncology for optimal spine tumor management •  Describe endoscopic techniques for addressing thoracic disc herniations and thoracic pathology • Compare outcomes and complications of endoscopic versus open approaches to thoracic spine surgery •       Determine appropriate patient selection and indications for endoscopic thoracic spine procedures •  Compare clinical outcomes, adjacent segment disease rates, and patient satisfaction among cervical arthroplasty, ACDF, and posterior foraminotomy •  Apply evidence-based selection criteria to choose the optimal surgical approach for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy •  Evaluate long-term biomechanical implications of different cervical spine surgical techniques •  Apply AOSpine and other classification systems to guide treatment decisions for traumatic spine injuries •  Determine timing and approach for surgical intervention in acute spinal cord injury and unstable fractures •  Manage complications unique to spine trauma including neurogenic shock, DVT prophylaxis, and autonomic dysreflexia •  Review current guidelines and evidence-based management of severe traumatic brain injury including ICP monitoring and medical management •  Determine indications for surgical intervention in traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and mass effect •       Implement neuroprotective strategies and prognostic assessment tools in head trauma management

•  Evaluate pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy for surgical candidacy using appropriate diagnostic protocols • Compare surgical options for pediatric epilepsy including resection, disconnection, and neuromodulation approaches•       Assess developmental outcomes and seizure freedom rates following pediatric epilepsy surgery •  Differentiate between selective dorsal rhizotomy, ventral rhizotomy, and other rhizotomy procedures based on indications and technique•       Select appropriate candidates for rhizotomy procedures in pediatric spasticity management • Evaluate functional outcomes and long-term benefits of rhizotomy in children with cerebral palsy and other spastic disorders • Describe current fetal neurosurgical interventions including in utero myelomeningocele repair and ventriculoamniotic shunting •  Review patient selection criteria, surgical techniques, and maternal-fetal risks for prenatal neurosurgical procedures • Analyze outcomes data comparing prenatal versus postnatal intervention for myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus •  Diagnose and classify pediatric movement disorders amenable to neurosurgical intervention • Apply DBS and other neuromodulation techniques to treat dystonia, chorea, and other pediatric movement disorders • Evaluate developmental considerations and age-appropriate outcome measures in pediatric functional neurosurgery •  Apply age-specific guidelines and physiologic considerations to pediatric traumatic brain injury management • Determine surgical indications and timing for pediatric head trauma including epidural hematoma and depressed skull fractures •  Recognize unique aspects of non-accidental trauma and child abuse as they relate to neurosurgical care • Classify common pediatric brain tumors by location, histology, and molecular characteristics •  Develop surgical strategies for posterior fossa, supratentorial, and brainstem tumors in children •       Integrate adjuvant therapies and monitor for late effects in pediatric brain tumor survivors

•  Apply grading systems and natural history data to guide treatment decisions for brain arteriovenous malformations • Compare microsurgical, endovascular, and radiosurgical approaches for managing complex AVMs • Develop multimodal treatment strategies and assess procedural risks versus observation for high-grade AVMs •  Describe the technique and mechanism of action of middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas •  Identify appropriate patient selection criteria for MMA embolization as primary treatment or adjunct to surgery •  Evaluate clinical outcomes and recurrence rates following MMA embolization compared to traditional surgical drainage •  Explain the pathophysiology of venous sinus stenosis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension •  Review diagnostic criteria and venographic findings that indicate candidacy for venous sinus stenting •  Compare outcomes of venous sinus stenting to CSF shunting and optic nerve sheath fenestration for IIH management •  Utilize advanced neuroimaging including perfusion imaging and collateral assessment to select patients for acute stroke intervention •  Describe recent innovations in mechanical thrombectomy devices and technique modifications •  Apply extended time window protocols and emerging neuroprotective therapies in acute ischemic stroke management •  Define characteristics that classify cerebral aneurysms as complex based on size, location, morphology, and patient factors•       Compare microsurgical clipping, endovascular coiling, flow diversion, and bypass techniques for complex aneurysm treatment •  Formulate individualized treatment plans for complex aneurysms considering patient anatomy, surgical expertise, and available technology *  Execute advanced skull base approaches for tumors in the cavernous sinus, petroclival region, and anterior skull base •  Balance extent of resection with preservation of neurological function and cranial nerve integrity •       Incorporate endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques into skull base tumor management •  Analyze current healthcare policy challenges affecting neurosurgery practice including prior authorization, scope-of-practice expansion, and the No Surprises Act •  Recognize ethical implications of healthcare policy decisions on patient care and physician autonomy

•  Identify clinical and procedural factors associated with early recurrence following percutaneous rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia • Apply predictive models to improve patient selection and counseling for percutaneous procedures • Optimize technical parameters during rhizotomy to minimize recurrence risk • Recognize demographic and socioeconomic disparities in withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy following traumatic brain injury •  Evaluate the impact of implicit bias and systemic factors on end-of-life decision-making in TBI care • Advocate for equitable access to prognostic information and decision support for all TBI patients and families •  Describe the inflammatory cascade and role of neutrophils in delayed cerebral ischemia following subarachnoid hemorrhage •  Review translational research findings on skull bone marrow as a source of inflammatory cells after aneurysmal SAH • Consider potential therapeutic targets aimed at modulating neuroinflammation to prevent DCI •       Explain the principles of photoacoustic imaging and its potential advantages for intraoperative visualization •  Evaluate preliminary human data on photoacoustic imaging for brain tumor margin detection • Discuss future applications of photoacoustic technology in neurosurgical procedures •  Apply validated prognostic scoring systems to predict outcomes following gunshot wounds to the head •       Utilize prognostic information to guide surgical decision-making and family counseling in penetrating head trauma • Recognize limitations of prognostic models and the importance of individualized assessment  * Identify patients with symptomatic M1 stenosis who may benefit from direct cerebral revascularization • Describe surgical technique and perioperative management for STA-MCA bypass procedures•       Analyze outcomes data from high-volume centers performing bypass for atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease •  Diagnose spontaneous CSF leaks using clinical presentation and imaging modalities •  Execute endoscopic endonasal repair techniques for skull base CSF leaks •   Evaluate success rates and complications of endoscopic CSF leak repair compared to open approaches

•   Describe common brain tumor presentations, diagnostic workup, and histologic classifications •   Understand the APP role in perioperative care of neurosurgical oncology patients •   Recognize postoperative complications specific to brain tumor surgery and implement appropriate interventions •  Identify clinical presentations of common neurovascular emergencies including SAH, stroke, and vascular malformations •  Apply evidence-based protocols for managing patients with neurovascular conditions •  Implement monitoring strategies and recognize complications following neurovascular procedures •  Assess patients with spine pathology using appropriate history, physical examination, and imaging •       Understand common spine surgical procedures and associated perioperative care requirements •  Manage postoperative spine complications including CSF leak, infection, and neurological deterioration •  Perform rapid assessment and stabilization of neurosurgical trauma patients •  Recognize indications for urgent neurosurgical intervention in head and spine trauma •  Implement ICP management strategies and prevent secondary brain injury •  Identify patients requiring anticoagulation reversal in the setting of neurosurgical emergencies • Select appropriate reversal agents for different anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications • Monitor efficacy of reversal strategies and manage associated complications • Review essential neuroanatomy relevant to interpreting CT and MRI imaging • Identify common pathologic findings on neuroimaging studies • Develop a systematic approach to neuroimaging interpretation for APP practice • Apply accurate CPT and ICD-10 coding for common neurosurgical procedures and diagnoses •  Understand documentation requirements to support appropriate billing and reimbursement • Navigate compliance issues and optimize revenue cycle management in neurosurgical practice