Registration for the 2026 Surgical Treatment of the Craniocervical Junction course is full.

Join the Waitlist

Application Deadline: July 9, 2026

Course Description:

This two-day course is designed for 5th and 6th-year neurosurgery residents seeking an intensive, hands-on course in the surgical management of pathologies of the craniocervical junction.

Pathologies to be addressed include vascular diseases, tumors, deformities, and trauma. Anatomical considerations, patient indications for intervention, decision-making, and surgical approaches and techniques will be discussed. Faculty will demonstrate repair, fixation, and reconstruction techniques using 3-D imaging and state-of-the-art devices and instrumentation. Small class size and emphasis on the practicum maximize faculty and resident interaction, and the opportunity for expert guidance and skill development.

The course is hosted by University Hospitals Neurological Institute and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Describe the anatomical factors involved in the surgical management of pathologies of the craniocervical junction
• Discuss patient indications and the surgical decision-making process for selecting appropriate approaches, techniques, and devices
• Demonstrate skills in CT and MRI navigation and image guidance
• Demonstrate surgical approaches, techniques, and occipitocervical fixation techniques on tissue models
• Plan intraoperative steps to prevent complications and maximize outcomes