Alkherayf Clinical Research Group
Team Leader
Fahad Alkherayf
Associate Scientist, NeuroscienceWhat We Do
Our research is driven by a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, ENT specialists, epidemiologists, and clinical study design experts. We provide a collaborative learning environment for neurosurgery fellows, residents, and medical students, offering meaningful opportunities to develop as future physician-scientists. Guided by a “patients-first” philosophy, the research in our lab integrates clinical innovation with rigorous scientific inquiry.
Our neurosurgery research focuses on neuro-oncology and advanced brain tumor imaging, skull base and pituitary surgery, intraoperative visualization and fluorescence techniques, and neurophysiological monitoring. We also lead research in patient safety, clinical outcomes, neuropharmacology, and perioperative therapies. Together, our team works to improve surgical precision, enhance treatments, and advance the care of patients with complex neurological conditions.
Ongoing Research Projects
Utilizing 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in non-glioma pathologies
We are investigating the use of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in non-glioma pathologies and evaluating its applications and effects during the resection of non-gliomas.
Clinical Outcomes in Expanded Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
The study aims to assess clinical outcomes associated with new minimally invasive expanded endoscopic skull base surgery. We are evaluating a range of patient outcomes following these interventions.
Visualization of Pituitary Tumor Vascularization by Endoscope-integrated Indocyanine Fluorescence (e-ICG)
Our goal is to evaluate an innovation in endoscopic pituitary surgery. We are studying the use of ICG to assess pituitary tumor vascularity, which may help identify microadenomas intraoperatively.
Effect of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) on Surgical Field Quality and Operative Complications in Transsphenoidal Skull-Based Surgeries: A Quality Improvement Study
Our goal is to investigate whether the use of TXA during endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery can improve surgical field quality and reduce operative complications.
Intraoperative Continuous Flash Visual Evoked Potentials Monitoring During Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, a Multi-center Cohort Study
We are utilizing intraoperative monitoring of the visual pathway during skull base and complex spine surgery as a novel technique to monitor and predict visual pathway outcomes, while expanding this knowledge to other health centers.
Effect of Topical Vancomycin Powder on Surgical Site Infection Rate after Craniotomy: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
The purpose of this single-center pilot study is to assess the feasibility of recruitment and implementation of a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of topical vancomycin powder in reducing post-craniotomy surgical site infections.
A Dual Time Point FDG-PET to Differentiate between Recurrent Brain Tumor and Radionecrosis
In collaboration with Dr. Lionel Zuckier from the Division of Nuclear Medicine and Dr. Thanh Nguyen from the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at The Ottawa Hospital, we are conducting a study to determine the accuracy of DTPI FDG-PET compared with conventional MRI in detecting tumor recurrence in patients with previously treated gliomas and metastatic brain tumors.
Non-Invasive Detection of IDH-Mutant Gliomas by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
In collaboration with Dr. Thanh Nguyen, neuro-radiologist at The Ottawa Hospital and Dr. John Woulfe from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital, we are developing a novel MRI technique to identify patients with IDH mutants without the need for surgical intervention.
Feasibility of an Objective Tool to Assess Morbidity Following Cranial Surgery
We are developing a pioneer system of continuous monitoring and reporting of morbidity and mortality following cranial surgery, with the vision of improving these outcomes and diminishing their related costs.
Selected Publications
Clinical Outcomes of Extended Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for the Resection of Anterior Skull Base Meningiomas https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41261509/
The Economic Burden of Management of Pituitary Adenomas: A Propensity-Score-Matched Cost Analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39868520/
Diagnostic Accuracy of 1H-MRS Using PRESS and MEGA-PRESS Techniques in the Preoperative Grading of Patients with Gliomas https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39992022/
Differential Diagnosis of a Cystic Notochordal Skull Base Lesion: A Case Report https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39295303/
Surgical and ono-surgical interventions for primary and salvage treatment of growth hormone secreting pituitary adenoma in adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38318883/
Cerebral vasospasm as consequence of pituitary apoplexy: illustrative case https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36794733/
Post-operative surveillance for somatotroph, lactotroph and non-functional pituitary adenomas after curative resection: a systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36422846/
The Scanning Fiber Endoscope: A Novel Surgical and High-Resolution Imaging Device for Intracranial Neurosurgery https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36103334/