Chengyuan Wu MD MSBmE FAANS

05/21/2025

Another Week, Another Imaging Conference

Just wrapped up the ASNR2025 Scientific Meeting here in — and once again, really glad I made the time for an imaging-focused meeting.

Honored to have our work selected as the Outstanding Functional Project. Always grateful for the opportunity to share our work and even more so when it resonates with a broader audience.

Proud to see a strong Thomas Jefferson University showing throughout the meeting with others from presenting and a number of Radiology faculty involved.

Also appreciated the chance to connect with new colleagues outside of neurosurgery — and to catch up with old friends I haven’t seen in a while. The energy at these meetings is very different, and in a good way.

Jefferson Health
Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience Jefferson Health

05/15/2025

Just wrapped up my first ISMRM meeting—an incredible few days of learning, connecting, and presenting.

I had the chance to share our team’s research on how magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can help explain electrode bending in deep brain stimulation (DBS). This work came together through close collaboration between Thomas Jefferson University, Villanova University, and University of Delaware—exactly the kind of cross-disciplinary partnership that moves things forward.

It was a change of pace from my usual neurosurgery conferences. The focus on imaging research brought out a different kind of conversation—new perspectives, thoughtful questions, and a broader view of the science behind what we do.

Also: really enjoyed meeting new colleagues and catching up with old ones. And yes, having this all happen in Honolulu didn’t hurt.

Looking forward to coming back!

ISMRM
Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience
Jefferson Health

05/02/2025

Today I performed my first focused thalamotomy for refractory , made possible only through the growing collaboration between Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network.

I admittedly have been a late adopter of focused ultrasound, but it certainly has value as part of the broader surgical treatment spectrum for movement disorders. For carefully selected patients, the benefit can be immediate and meaningful.

This case was made possible by the new partnership between Jefferson and Lehigh Valley. The patient was evaluated in one of the Jefferson satellite clinics I’ve staffed for years, which now serves as a bridge to the outstanding team at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedarcrest. The coordination — from outpatient evaluation to imaging and procedural support — was remarkably seamless.

We were also able to leverage patient-specific diffusion imaging to identify the tremor network and avoid primary motor and sensory pathways. This allowed me to refine the surgical target preoperatively, which ultimately led to excellent tremor control without any side effects in this case.

I’m grateful we were able to offer this patient and his family real, immediate improvement in daily function. This is exactly the kind of patient-centered care that becomes possible when institutional collaboration meets clinical innovation.

Thomas Jefferson University
Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience Jefferson Health
INSIGHTEC
International Essential Tremor Foundation
International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

https://www.lvhn.org/treatments/focused-ultrasound-essential-tremor

03/10/2025

******Just 1 week away*****

Learn from the experts to refine your 🧠 targeting skills. Get the scoop on advanced tools, imaging techniques, research methodologies. 💡

📍 Register now: bit.ly/DBSTargetingAdv

03/10/2025

🧠 New Insights from the AES Temporal Lobe Club from the Annual Scientific Meeting this past December 2024!

Balancing seizure freedom with cognitive preservation remains key in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy surgery. Highlights include:
✅ Resection (ATL): Highest seizure freedom, but more cognitive risk.
✅ Laser Ablation (LITT): Less invasive, quicker recovery, moderate seizure control.
✅ Neuromodulation (VNS, DBS, RNS): Good cognitive outcomes, modest seizure reduction—ideal when resection isn’t possible.
Personalizing treatment based on individual goals and careful patient selection is critical for success.

📖 Dive into the full review here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11869217/

02/26/2025

🚨 Check out our new publication in Operative Neurosurgery!

Accurate electrode placement is critical for optimal deep brain stimulation (DBS) outcomes, yet electrode deviation remains a persistent issue—one that is often underrecognized and poorly understood. Our latest study, just published in Operative Neurosurgery, reveals that brain stiffness interfaces, specifically at the internal capsule (IC), contribute to electrode bending and target deviation.

Using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), we found that the angle of approach relative to the IC stiffness interface strongly correlates with electrode deviation. This suggests that DBS accuracy is not just about precise trajectory planning but also about how the electrode interacts with the brain’s mechanical properties.

➡ Key findings:
🔹 Electrode deviation is not random—it correlates with the angle of approach to brain stiffness interfaces.
🔹 Greater angles of approach lead to more significant deviations, emphasizing the role of tissue mechanics in stereotactic accuracy.
🔹 MRE may help predict and mitigate deviations preoperatively, potentially reducing revision rates and improving clinical outcomes.

This study challenges the assumption that electrode bending is inevitable and calls for a more critical evaluation of where and how deviations occur. If we want to improve DBS accuracy, we need to rethink how we plan trajectories, incorporating biomechanical insights rather than relying solely on traditional stereotactic principles.

🔗 Read the full paper here: https://journals.lww.com/onsonline/abstract/9900/deep_brain_stimulation_electrode_deviations_are.1480.aspx

Neurosurgery Publications
Thomas Jefferson University
Villanova University
University of Delaware

tion, an estimated 3% to 8% of patients still require revision surgery to address suboptimal electrode placement. DBS electrode deviation may occur at mechanical tissue interfaces, with denser internal capsule (IC) fibers being the most likely factor. Based on basic principles of physics, we hypothe...

02/25/2025

The Jefferson Health Epilepsy Neurosurgery Team had a great time while supporting the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA - EFEPA at its 18th Annual Mardi Gras Gala this past weekend! The event raised critical funds to support EFEPA’s mission of improving the lives of those affected by .

The Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is committed to advancing epilepsy care through cutting-edge surgical treatments, research, and advocacy. Participating in events like this strengthens our mission and reinforces our dedication to the epilepsy community.

Thank you to for hosting such a spectacular event and to everyone who joined in support of this vital cause!

Epilepsy Foundation of America
American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

02/20/2025

🔬✨ Unlock Advanced DBS Targeting Techniques!

Join us for an exclusive ASSFN Webinar: "How to Optimize DBS Targeting" 🧠📡
🔗 Register now: bit.ly/DBSTargetingAdv

Featuring expert insights from:
💫 Kai J. Miller, MD, PhD | Mayo Clinic
💫 Chengyuan Wu, MD, MSBmE | Thomas Jefferson University
💫 Jonathon J. Parker, MD, PhD (Moderator) | Mayo Clinic Arizona

This webinar will dive into advanced tools, imaging techniques, and research methodologies for optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) targeting. Don't miss this opportunity to refine your expertise!

10/24/2024

🚨 New Research Alert! 🚨

Our team at Thomas Jefferson University in collaboration with Duke Engineering has developed an automated approach to programming Deep Brain Stimulators (DBS) for Parkinson’s Disease! 🧠 Using "connectomic programming," this cutting-edge method optimizes DBS settings based on each patient's unique brain network, reducing programming time while achieving results that are comparable to traditional programming!

This innovation lays the groundwork for future advancements in DBS programming, including the integration of machine learning and AI, to further personalize and enhance treatment. It’s a step toward faster, more accessible, and more effective therapy for ’s Disease!

Stay tuned as we continue to push the boundaries of ! 💡

Background Efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) relies on accurate lead placement as well as optimization of the stimulation parameters. Although clinical software tools are now available, progr...

09/05/2024

Join us for the next webinar session in the Transition to Practice Series where experts, & will share their insights on how to establish a successful functional neurosurgery practice.

👉 Click the link below to sign up!


https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUof-ugqzopG9KsINVk0h_uKrDhetDaxckN #/registration

07/23/2024

🚨 Exciting Opportunity for Neurosurgery and Neurology Residents! 🚨

There are only a few weeks left to nominate a mid-level resident for the prestigious 2024 AES and ASSFN Resident Epilepsy Surgery Course! This is a unique chance for residents to engage in high-level discussions and collaborations between specialties, which are essential for building a successful surgical epilepsy program.

Why Nominate?
🌟 Exclusive Learning Experience: Gain insights from leading experts in the field.
🌟 Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside peers from both Neurosurgery and Neurology.
🌟 Career Advancement: Enhance your skills and knowledge, setting the stage for future success.

How to Nominate:
Residency Program Directors must submit nominations for their outstanding residents. If you know a resident who is passionate about epilepsy surgery and ready to take their expertise to the next level, now is the time to act!

🔗 Learn more and nominate here: https://aesnet.org/AES-annual-meeting/program-information/resident-epilepsy-surgery-course 🔗

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to shape the future of epilepsy surgery. Nominate a deserving resident today and be part of this transformative experience!

The focus of the course is on the evaluation of patients for epilepsy surgery and the surgery process.