Steven L Giannotta, MD

Professor of Neurological Surgery

Associate Medical Director, Office of Integrated Risk Management

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Overview

Steven L. Giannotta M.D. has spent the majority of his Neurosurgical career at USC. He joined the Department of Neurosurgery at USC in 1980 and served as the Chair of the Department from 2004 to 2024. He also served as the Program Director of the Neurological Surgery Residency Training Program from 2004-2023. Dr. Giannotta earned his medical degree and did his residency at University of Michigan.

Dr. Giannotta has gained local and national recognition for his work in cerebrovascular disease of the brain and spinal cord. He has surgically treated over 3000 intracranial aneurysms. In conjunction with his associates Dr. Giannotta has developed a comprehensive approach to the gamut of cerebrovascular conditions. Techniques utilized in this comprehensive program include but are not limited to microsurgical clip ligation for aneurysms, coil embolization for aneurysms, microvascular excision, embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife for arteriovenous malformations, carotid endarterectomy and extracranial to intracranial bypass procedures for cerebrovascular occlusive disease.

Dr. Giannotta also has an interest and special expertise in surgical approaches to the cranial base. He has surgically removed more than 1000 acoustic neuromas and along with several colleagues in otolaryngology has developed a team approach to complex cranial base lesions including acoustic neuromas, meningiomas of the cranial base, complex aneurysms that require cranial base approaches and other benign conditions affecting the base of the brain and skull. Complex conditions may require several modes of therapy including surgical excision, embolization, and stereotactic radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife and Cyberknife.

Since 1992 Dr. Giannotta has developed one of the largest practices for the surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

He has been involved in many local, national and international committees and organizations including time as the Chair of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, Secretary of the Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training (CAST) for the Society of Neurological Surgeons accrediting Neurosurgery fellowship training programs, and Chair of the Residency Review Committee for Neurosurgery at the ACGME.

Media

Publications

Active surveillance versus stereotactic radiosurgery for Koos grade I and II vestibular schwannoma in patients aged 60 years or older. J Neurosurg. 2026 May 15; 1.. View in PubMed
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Versus Observation in Small- and Medium-Sized Vestibular Schwannoma Patients With Normal Hearing: A Retrospective International Multicenter Study. Neurosurgery. 2026 Apr 01; 98(4):887-894.. View in PubMed
Corrigendum to Epigenetic modulator inhibition overcomes temozolomide chemoresistance and antagonizes tumor recurrence of glioblastoma. J Clin Invest. 2025 08 01; 135(15).. View in PubMed
A new era in neurosurgery residency applications: the impact of preference signaling on the neurosurgical match. J Neurosurg. 2025 Oct 01; 143(4):1108-1120.. View in PubMed
So, You Want to Be a Chair? Neurosurgery. 2025 Apr 01; 71(Supplement_1):17-22. Giannotta SL . View in PubMed
Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade I International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K1 Study. Neurosurgery. 2025 Jan 01; 96(1):41-49.. View in PubMed
Vestibular Schwannoma Koos Grade II International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS-K2 Study. Neurosurgery. 2025 Jan 01; 96(1):50-58.. View in PubMed
Vestibular Schwannoma International Study of Active Surveillance Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery: The VISAS Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2024 10 01; 120(2):454-464.. View in PubMed
Frailty is a Predictor of Increased Readmissions and Increased Postoperative Complications After Elective Treatment of Unruptured Aneurysms. World Neurosurg. 2024 01; 181:e882-e896.. View in PubMed
A Review of Medical and Surgical Options for the Treatment of Facial Pain. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2022 Jun; 55(3):607-632.. View in PubMed
Surgical Outcomes Following Vestibular Schwannoma Resection in Patients over the Age of Sixty-five. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2023 Apr; 84(2):129-135.. View in PubMed
Robotic and robot-assisted skull base neurosurgery: systematic review of current applications and future directions. Neurosurg Focus. 2022 01; 52(1):E15.. View in PubMed
Preexisting Ventricular Shunts Are Associated with Failed Evacuation of Acute Subdural Hematomas: Single-Institution Case Series of Complications and Management Strategies. World Neurosurg. 2022 02; 158:e1011-e1016.. View in PubMed
Disparities in the Surgical Treatment of Cerebrovascular Pathologies: A Contemporary Systematic Review. World Neurosurg. 2022 02; 158:244-257.e1.. View in PubMed
Minocycline decreases blood-brain barrier permeability following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Neurosurg. 2022 May 01; 136(5):1251-1259.. View in PubMed
Systematic Review of Racial, Socioeconomic, and Insurance Status Disparities in the Treatment of Pediatric Neurosurgical Diseases in the United States. World Neurosurg. 2022 02; 158:65-83.. View in PubMed
Systematic Review of Racial, Socioeconomic, and Insurance Status Disparities in Neurosurgical Care for Intracranial Tumors. World Neurosurg. 2022 02; 158:38-64.. View in PubMed
Disparities in the Surgical Treatment of Adult Spine Diseases: A Systematic Review. World Neurosurg. 2022 02; 158:290-304.e1.. View in PubMed
Readmissions after ventricular shunting in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus: a Nationwide Readmissions Database analysis. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2021 11 01; 28(5):553-562.. View in PubMed
Neurosurgery residency and fellowship education in the United States: 2 decades of system development by the One Neurosurgery Summit organizations. J Neurosurg. 2022 Feb 01; 136(2):565-574.. View in PubMed
Utilization of Discarded Surgical Tissue from Ultrasonic Aspirators to Establish Patient-Derived Metastatic Brain Tumor Cells: A Guide from the Operating Room to the Research Laboratory. Curr Protoc. 2021 Jun; 1(6):e140.. View in PubMed
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Atypical (World Health Organization II) and Anaplastic (World Health Organization III) Meningiomas: Results From a Multicenter, International Cohort Study. Neurosurgery. 2021 04 15; 88(5):980-988.. View in PubMed
Tracking Scan to Incision Time in Patients with Emergent Operative Traumatic Brain Injuries as a Measure for Systems-Based Practice in Neurosurgical Trainees. World Neurosurg. 2021 05; 149:e491-e497.. View in PubMed
Treatment of WHO Grade 2 Meningiomas With Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Identification of an Optimal Group for SRS Using RPA. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Jul 01; 110(3):804-814.. View in PubMed
Neuroprotective effect of minocycline against acute brain injury in clinical practice: A systematic review. J Clin Neurosci. 2021 Apr; 86:50-57.. View in PubMed
Epigenetic modulator inhibition overcomes temozolomide chemoresistance and antagonizes tumor recurrence of glioblastoma. J Clin Invest. 2020 11 02; 130(11):5782-5799.. View in PubMed
Risk Factors for Cerebral Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Population-Based Study of 8346 Patients. World Neurosurg. 2021 01; 145:e233-e241.. View in PubMed
Rate of Intracranial Hemorrhage After Minor Head Injury. Cureus. 2020 Sep 25; 12(9):e10653.. View in PubMed
Readmission with venous thromboembolism after surgical treatment by primary cancer site. Surg Oncol. 2020 Dec; 35:268-275.. View in PubMed
Comorbid depression associated with non-routine discharge following craniotomy for low-grade gliomas and benign tumors – a nationwide readmission database analysis. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020 11; 162(11):2671-2681.. View in PubMed
Predictors of readmission after craniotomy for meningioma resection: a nationwide readmission database analysis. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020 11; 162(11):2637-2646.. View in PubMed
miR-18a Inhibits BMP4 and HIF-1α Normalizing Brain Arteriovenous Malformations. Circ Res. 2020 10 09; 127(9):e210-e231.. View in PubMed
Letter to the Editor. Management of petroclival meningioma. J Neurosurg. 2020 10 01; 133(4):1280-1283.. View in PubMed
Effectiveness of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in the Treatment of Refractory Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case Series. Oper Neurosurg. 2020 06 01; 18(6):571-576.. View in PubMed
Discrepancy in Neurologic Outcomes Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage as a Function of Socioeconomic Class. World Neurosurg. 2020 06; 138:e787-e794.. View in PubMed
Use of Salvage Surgery or Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Multiply Recurrent Skull Base Chordomas: A Single-Institution Experience and Review of the Literature. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2021 Apr; 82(2):161-174.. View in PubMed
Simulation of Dural Repair in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery With the Use of a Perfusion-Based Cadaveric Model. Oper Neurosurg. 2019 12 01; 17(6):616-621.. View in PubMed
Surgical Closed Suction Drain Use After Craniotomy for Evacuation of Supratentorial Epidural Hematomas: A Case Series of Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes. World Neurosurg. 2020 Feb; 134:e460-e468.. View in PubMed
Increased complication and mortality among non-index hospital readmissions after brain tumor resection is associated with low-volume readmitting hospitals. J Neurosurg. 2020 11 01; 133(5):1332-1344.. View in PubMed
Tumor. Oper Neurosurg. 2019 Aug 01; 17(Suppl 2):S119-S152.. View in PubMed
Nonindex Readmission After Ruptured Brain Aneurysm Treatment Is Associated with Higher Morbidity and Repeat Readmission. World Neurosurg. 2019 Oct; 130:e753-e759.. View in PubMed
Commentary: Modern Training and Credentialing in Neuroendovascular Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy. Neurosurgery. 2019 07 01; 85(suppl_1):S58-S59.. View in PubMed
Early Readmission After Ventricular Shunting in Adults with Hydrocephalus: A Nationwide Readmission Database Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2019 Aug; 128:e38-e50.. View in PubMed
Intentional Subtotal Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma: A Reexamination. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2020 Apr; 81(2):136-141.. View in PubMed
Ruptured Mycotic Aneurysm of the Distal Circulation in a Patient with Mucormycosis Without Direct Skull Base Extension: Case Report. Oper Neurosurg. 2019 03 01; 16(3):E101-E107.. View in PubMed
Increased Hospital Surgical Volume Reduces Rate of 30- and 90-Day Readmission After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery. Neurosurgery. 2019 03 01; 84(3):726-732.. View in PubMed
Venous Thromboembolism After Degenerative Spine Surgery: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2019 05; 125:e165-e174.. View in PubMed
Prospective clinical validation of a meningioma consistency grading scheme: association with surgical outcomes and extent of tumor resection. J Neurosurg. 2019 11 01; 131(5):1356-1360.. View in PubMed
Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism After Nonemergent Craniotomy: A Nationwide Readmission Database Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2019 Feb; 122:e1102-e1110.. View in PubMed
Long-Term Tumor Control Rates Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Acoustic Neuroma. World Neurosurg. 2019 Feb; 122:366-371.. View in PubMed
State of the Union in Open Neurovascular Training. World Neurosurg. 2019 02; 122:e553-e560.. View in PubMed
Predictors of Surgical Site Infection After Nonemergent Craniotomy: A Nationwide Readmission Database Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2018 Dec; 120:e440-e452.. View in PubMed
Safety-Net Hospitals Have Higher Complication and Mortality Rates in the Neurosurgical Management of Traumatic Brain Injuries. World Neurosurg. 2018 Nov; 119:e284-e293.. View in PubMed
Revision Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia and Hemifacial Spasm: Factors Associated with Surgical Failure. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2019 Feb; 80(1):31-39.. View in PubMed
Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass for Treatment of Blister Aneurysms: Efficacy and Analysis of Complications Compared with Alternative Treatment Strategies. World Neurosurg. 2018 Sep; 117:e417-e424.. View in PubMed
Factors associated with burnout among US neurosurgery residents: a nationwide survey. J Neurosurg. 2018 11 01; 129(5):1349-1363.. View in PubMed
In situ administration of abciximab for thrombus resolution during intracranial bypass surgery: case report. J Neurosurg. 2019 01 01; 130(1):268-272.. View in PubMed
Development of a Perfusion-Based Cadaveric Simulation Model Integrated into Neurosurgical Training: Feasibility Based On Reconstitution of Vascular and Cerebrospinal Fluid Systems. Oper Neurosurg. 2018 01 01; 14(1):72-80.. View in PubMed
Perfusion-based human cadaveric specimen as a simulation training model in repairing cerebrospinal fluid leaks during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. J Neurosurg. 2018 09; 129(3):792-796.. View in PubMed
Training Standards in Neuroendovascular Surgery: Program Accreditation and Practitioner Certification. Stroke. 2017 08; 48(8):2318-2325.. View in PubMed
Impact of the 2003 ACGME Resident Duty Hour Reform on Hospital-Acquired Conditions: A National Retrospective Analysis. J Grad Med Educ. 2017 Apr; 9(2):215-221.. View in PubMed
Solitary Plasmacytoma in the Internal Auditory Canal and Cerebellopontine Angle Mimicking Meningioma. Otol Neurotol. 2016 Dec; 37(10):e400-e401.. View in PubMed
Response. J Neurosurg. 2016 Apr; 124(4):1142-3.. View in PubMed
Retrosigmoid Versus Translabyrinthine Approach for Acoustic Neuroma Resection: An Assessment of Complications and Payments in a Longitudinal Administrative Database. Cureus. 2015 Oct 30; 7(10):e369.. View in PubMed
Giant, calcified colloid cyst of the lateral ventricle. J Clin Neurosci. 2016 Feb; 24:6-9.. View in PubMed
The importance of preoperative diagnosis of blister aneurysms. J Clin Neurosci. 2015 Sep; 22(9):1408-12.. View in PubMed
Cerebrospinal fluid reconstitution via a perfusion-based cadaveric model: feasibility study demonstrating surgical simulation of neuroendoscopic procedures. J Neurosurg. 2015 Nov; 123(5):1316-21.. View in PubMed
Evaluation of time to aneurysm treatment following subarachnoid hemorrhage: comparison of patients treated with clipping versus coiling. J Neurointerv Surg. 2016 Apr; 8(4):373-7.. View in PubMed
A case report of two different skull base pathologies causing hearing loss in the same ear: vestibular schwannoma and superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Am J Otolaryngol. 2015 May-Jun; 36(3):488-91.. View in PubMed
Recording stereoscopic 3D neurosurgery with a head-mounted 3D camera system. Br J Neurosurg. 2015 Jun; 29(3):371-3.. View in PubMed
Intracranial fusarium fungal abscess in an immunocompetent patient: case report and review of the literature. J Neurol Surg Rep. 2014 Dec; 75(2):e241-5.. View in PubMed
Introduction: Strategies for management and outcomes of arteriovenous malformations. Neurosurg Focus. 2014 Sep; 37(3):Introduction.. View in PubMed
Health disparities in time to aneurysm clipping/coiling among aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a national study. World Neurosurg. 2014 Dec; 82(6):1071-6.. View in PubMed
Argonaute-2 promotes miR-18a entry in human brain endothelial cells. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014 May 16; 3(3):e000968.. View in PubMed
A Perfusion-based Human Cadaveric Model for Management of Carotid Artery Injury during Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2014 Oct; 75(5):309-13.. View in PubMed
Resection of a cystic brainstem hemangioblastoma via a retrosigmoid approach. Neurosurg Focus. 2014 Jan; 36(1 Suppl):1.. View in PubMed
A proposed grading system for standardizing tumor consistency of intracranial meningiomas. Neurosurg Focus. 2013 Dec; 35(6):E1.. View in PubMed
Meningiomas. Neurosurg Focus. 2013 Dec; 35(6):Introduction.. View in PubMed
A review of epigenetic and gene expression alterations associated with intracranial meningiomas. Neurosurg Focus. 2013 Dec; 35(6):E5.. View in PubMed
Genomic and transcriptome analysis revealing an oncogenic functional module in meningiomas. Neurosurg Focus. 2013 Dec; 35(6):E3.. View in PubMed
MicroRNA-18a improves human cerebral arteriovenous malformation endothelial cell function. Stroke. 2014 Jan; 45(1):293-7.. View in PubMed
Proposed Surgical Trigeminal Neuralgia Score checklist. Neurosurg Focus. 2013 Sep; 35(3):E4.. View in PubMed
A persistent primitive hypoglossal artery arising from the external carotid artery associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. World Neurosurg. 2014 Jul-Aug; 82(1-2):239.e1-3.. View in PubMed
Endoscopic-assisted resection of intracranial epidermoid tumors. World Neurosurg. 2014 Sep-Oct; 82(3-4):450-4.. View in PubMed
DNA methylation in the malignant transformation of meningiomas. PLoS One. 2013; 8(1):e54114.. View in PubMed
Simulation of a high-flow extracranial-intracranial bypass using a radial artery graft in a novel fresh tissue model. Neurosurgery. 2012 Dec; 71(2 Suppl Operative):ons315-19.. View in PubMed
Extent of resection and early postoperative outcomes following removal of cystic vestibular schwannomas: surgical experience over a decade and review of the literature. Neurosurg Focus. 2012 Sep; 33(3):E13.. View in PubMed
Cervical spine dural arteriovenous fistula with coexisting spinal radiculopial artery aneurysm presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage: case report. Neurosurgery. 2012 Jan; 70(1):E259-63.. View in PubMed
The putative role of pericytes in tumor angiogenesis. World Neurosurg. 2011 Dec; 76(6):535-6.. View in PubMed
Incidence trends in the anatomic location of primary malignant brain tumors in the United States: 1992-2006. World Neurosurg. 2012 Mar-Apr; 77(3-4):518-24.. View in PubMed
The value of translational models for microvascular anastamosis. World Neurosurg. 2012 Feb; 77(2):289-90.. View in PubMed
Cerebral arteriovenous malformations: issues of the interplay between stereotactic radiosurgery and endovascular surgical therapy. World Neurosurg. 2011 May-Jun; 75(5-6):638-47.. View in PubMed
Molecular genetics of meningiomas: a systematic review of the current literature and potential basis for future treatment paradigms. Neurosurg Focus. 2011 May; 30(5):E7.. View in PubMed
Thrombospondin-1 modulates the angiogenic phenotype of human cerebral arteriovenous malformation endothelial cells. Neurosurgery. 2011 May; 68(5):1342-53.. View in PubMed
Cavernous malformations. Neurosurg Focus. 2010 Sep; 29(3):Introduction.. View in PubMed
Operative strategies for minimizing hearing loss and other major complications associated with microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. World Neurosurg. 2010 Jul; 74(1):172-7.. View in PubMed
Posttraumatic human cerebral myiasis. World Neurosurg. 2010 May; 73(5):557-9.. View in PubMed
Cerebral vasospasm and concurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction: requirement for modification of hyperdynamic therapy regimen. Neurocrit Care. 2010 Apr; 12(2):265-8.. View in PubMed
Delayed toxicity from gamma knife radiosurgery to lesions in and adjacent to the brainstem. J Clin Neurosci. 2009 Sep; 16(9):1139-47.. View in PubMed
Endovascular management of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. A review. Neurosurg Focus. 2009 May; 26(5):E15.. View in PubMed