Publications / Funding / Projects

Current Projects

  • Automated Intraoperative Anatomical Structure Recognition (Project AENEAS)
  • Synthetic Imaging (TomoRay)
  • Photogrammetry in Microsurgical Neuroanatomy
  • Precision Medicine / Personalized Patient Assessment
  • Medical Image Segmentation and Radiomics
  • Clinical Prediction Modeling

Funding

  • Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
  • Leica – EANS Microsurgery Grant
  • EMDO Foundation
  • Privatdozenten-Stiftung der UZH

Publications

Staartjes VE, Spinello A, Schwendinger N, Germans MR, Serra C, Regli L (2024) Safety and Effectiveness of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol in Patients Undergoing Burr Hole Evacuation for Chronic Subdural Hematoma. Neurosurgery. https://doi.org/10.1227/neu.0000000000002849

Zanier O, Theiler S, Da Mutten R, Ryu S-J, Regli L, Serra C, Staartjes VE (2024) TomoRay: Generating synthetic computed tomography of the spine from biplanar radiographs. Neurospine. https://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2347158.579

Da Mutten R, Zanier O, Theiler S, Ryu S-J, Regli L, Serra C, Staartjes VE (2024) Whole Spine Segmentation Using Object Detection and Semantic Segmentation. Neurospine. https://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2347178.589

Rauch P, Aichholzer M, Serra C, Zanier O, Staartjes VE, Böhm P, Seyer G, Wagner H, Manakov I, Sonnberger M, Stroh N, Aspalter S, Aufschnaiter-Hiessböck K, Rossmann T, Leibetseder A, Katletz S, Gruber A, Gmeiner M, Stefanits H (2024) From molecular signatures to radiomics: tailoring neurooncological strategies through forecasting of glioma growth. Neurosurg Focus 56:E5. https://doi.org/10.3171/2023.11.FOCUS23685

Staartjes VE, Mathiesen T (2024) Response to the Letter to the Editor regarding “Promotion of a neurosurgical academic journal on social media: a 1-year experience”. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 166:41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-024-05954-x

Ciobanu-Caraus O, Aicher A, Kernbach JM, Regli L, Serra C, Staartjes VE (2024) A critical moment in machine learning in medicine: on reproducible and interpretable learning. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 166:14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-024-05892-8

Serra C, Türe H, Fırat Z, Staartjes VE, Yaltırık CK, Ekinci G, Sav A, Türe U (2024) Microsurgical management of midbrain gliomas: surgical results and long-term outcome in a large, single-surgeon, consecutive series. J Neurosurg 140:104–115. https://doi.org/10.3171/2023.5.JNS222219

Da Mutten R, Zanier O, Ciobanu-Caraus O, Voglis S, Hugelshofer M, Pangalu A, Regli L, Serra C, Staartjes VE (2024) Automated volumetric assessment of pituitary adenoma. Endocrine 83:171–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-023-03529-x

Staartjes VE, Klukowska AM, Stumpo V, Vandertop WP, Schröder ML (2023) Identifying clusters of objective functional impairment in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal disease using unsupervised learning. Eur Spine J. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-08070-z

Sorba EL, Staartjes VE, Serra C, Regli L, Alamri A, Rabiei K, Lippa L, Karekezi C, Kolias A, Mathiesen T (2023) Promotion of a neurosurgical academic journal on social media: a 1-year experience. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 165:3573–3581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-023-05829-7

Morello A, Spinello A, Staartjes VE, Bue EL, Garbossa D, Germans MR, Regli L, Serra C (2023) Early versus delayed mobilization after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Neurosurg Focus 55:E11. https://doi.org/10.3171/2023.9.FOCUS23548

Höbner LM, Staartjes VE, Colombo E, Sebök M, Regli L, Esposito G (2023) How we do it: the Zurich Microsurgery Lab technique for placenta preparation. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 165:3821–3824. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-023-05847-5

Höbner LM, Grob A, Staartjes VE (2023) Predicting Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Step Towards True “Precision” Medicine?: Commentary on “Development and  Validation of an Online Calculator to Predict Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After  Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Using Machine Learning”. Neurospine 20:1284–1286. https://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2347304.652

Klukowska AM, Staartjes VE, Dol M, Vandertop WP, Schröder ML (2023) Predictive value of the five-repetition sit-to-stand test for outcomes after surgery for lumbar disc herniation: prospective study. Eur Spine J. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-08046-z

Voglis S, Padevit L, van Niftrik CHB, Kälin V, Beyersdorf B, Da Mutten R, Stumpo V, Bellomo J, Sarnthein J, Staartjes VE, Carretta A, Krayenbühl N, Regli L, Serra C (2023) Safety of microneurosurgical interventions for superficial and deep-seated brain metastases: single-center cohort study of 637 consecutive cases. J Neurooncol 165:271–278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-023-04478-1

Theiler S, Hegetschweiler S, Staartjes VE, Spinello A, Brandi G, Regli L, Serra C (2023) Influence of gender and sexual hormones on outcomes after pituitary surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 165:2445–2460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-023-05726-z

Hügli S, Staartjes VE, Sebök M, Blum PG, Regli L, Esposito G (2023) Differences between real-world and score-based decision-making in the microsurgical management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms. J Neurosurg Sci. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0390-5616.23.06038-1

Thanellas A, Peura H, Lavinto M, Ruokola T, Vieli M, Staartjes VE, Winklhofer S, Serra C, Regli L, Korja M (2023) Development and External Validation of a Deep Learning Algorithm to Identify and Localize Subarachnoid Hemorrhage on CT Scans. Neurology 100:e1257–e1266. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000201710

Zanier O, Da Mutten R, Vieli M, Regli L, Serra C, Staartjes VE (2023) DeepEOR: automated perioperative volumetric assessment of variable grade gliomas using deep learning. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 165:555–566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-022-05446-w

Klukowska AM, Staartjes VE, Vandertop WP, Schröder ML (2023) Predictors of five-repetition sit-to-stand test performance in patients with lumbar degenerative disease. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 165:107–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-022-05441-1

Zanier O, Zoli M, Staartjes VE, Alalfi MO, Guaraldi F, Asioli S, Rustici A, Pasquini E, Faustini-Fustini M, Erlic Z, Hugelshofer M, Voglis S, Regli L, Mazzatenta D, Serra C (2023) Development and external validation of clinical prediction models for pituitary surgery. Brain Spine 3:102668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bas.2023.102668

Kernbach JM, Delev D, Neuloh G, Clusmann H, Bzdok D, Eickhoff SB, Staartjes VE, Vasella F, Weller M, Regli L, Serra C, Krayenbühl N, Akeret K (2023) Meta-topologies define distinct anatomical classes of brain tumours linked to histology and survival. Brain Commun 5:fcac336. https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcac336

Rodrigues AJ, Schonfeld E, Varshneya K, Stienen MN, Staartjes VE, Jin MC, Veeravagu A (2022) Comparison of Deep Learning and Classical Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Postoperative Outcomes for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Procedures With State-of-the-art Performance. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 47:1637–1644. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000004481

Carretta A, Epskamp M, Ledermann L, Staartjes VE, Neidert MC, Regli L, Stienen MN (2022) Collagen-bound fibrin sealant (TachoSil®) for dural closure in cranial surgery: single-centre comparative cohort study and systematic review of the literature. Neurosurg Rev 45:3779–3788. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-022-01886-1

Staartjes VE, Stumpo V, Ricciardi L, Maldaner N, Eversdijk HAJ, Vieli M, Ciobanu-Caraus O, Raco A, Miscusi M, Perna A, Proietti L, Lofrese G, Dughiero M, Cultrera F, Nicassio N, An SB, Ha Y, Amelot A, Alcobendas I, Viñuela-Prieto JM, Gandía-González ML, Girod P-P, Lener S, Kögl N, Abramovic A, Safa NA, Laux CJ, Farshad M, O’Riordan D, Loibl M, Mannion AF, Scerrati A, Molliqaj G, Tessitore E, Schröder ML, Vandertop WP, Stienen MN, Regli L, Serra C (2022) FUSE-ML: development and external validation of a clinical prediction model for mid-term outcomes after lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease. Eur Spine J 31:2629–2638. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07135-9

Brandi G, Stumpo V, Gilone M, Tosic L, Sarnthein J, Staartjes VE, Wang SS-Y, Van Niftrik B, Regli L, Keller E, Serra C (2022) Sex-related differences in postoperative complications following elective craniotomy for intracranial lesions: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 101:e29267. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000029267

Sarnthein J, Staartjes VE, Regli L (2022) Neurosurgery outcomes and complications in a monocentric 7-year patient registry. Brain Spine 2:100860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bas.2022.100860

Yang Y, Zeitlberger AM, Neidert MC, Staartjes VE, Broggi M, Zattra CM, Vasella F, Velz J, Bartek JJ, Fletcher-Sandersjöö A, Förander P, Kalasauskas D, Renovanz M, Ringel F, Brawanski KR, Kerschbaumer J, Freyschlag CF, Jakola AS, Sjåvik K, Solheim O, Schatlo B, Sachkova A, Bock HC, Hussein A, Rohde V, Broekman MLD, Nogarede CO, Lemmens CMC, Kernbach JM, Neuloh G, Krayenbühl N, Ferroli P, Regli L, Bozinov O, Stienen MN (2021) The association of patient age with postoperative morbidity and mortality following resection of intracranial tumors. Brain Spine 1:100304. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bas.2021.100304

Staartjes VE, Regli L, Serra C (Eds.). Machine Learning in Clinical Neuroscience: Foundations and Applications. Acta Neurochir Suppl. (Springer, Cham) 2022; ISBN: 978-3-030-85291-7
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4

Muscas G, Orlandini S, Becattini E, Battista F, Staartjes VE, Serra C, Della Puppa A. (2022) Radiomic Features Associated with Extent of Resection in Glioma Surgery.
Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:341-347.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_38.

Stumpo V, Staartjes VE, Esposito G, Serra C, Regli L, Olivi A, Sturiale CL. (2022) Machine Learning and Intracranial Aneurysms: From Detection to Outcome Prediction. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:319-331.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_36.

Stumpo V, Staartjes VE, Regli L, Serra C. (2022) Machine Learning in Pituitary Surgery. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:291-301.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_33.

Stumpo V, Kernbach JM, van Niftrik CHB, Sebök M, Fierstra J, Regli L, Serra C, Staartjes VE. (2022) Machine Learning Algorithms in Neuroimaging: An Overview.
Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:125-138.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_17.

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM, Stumpo V, van Niftrik CHB, Serra C, Regli L. (2022) Foundations of Feature Selection in Clinical Prediction Modeling. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:51-57.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_7.

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2022) Foundations of Machine Learning-Based Clinical Prediction Modeling: Part V-A Practical Approach to Regression Problems. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:43-50.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_6.

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2022) Foundations of Machine Learning-Based Clinical Prediction Modeling: Part IV-A Practical Approach to Binary Classification Problems. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:33-41.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_5.

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2022) Foundations of Machine Learning-Based Clinical Prediction Modeling: Part III-Model Evaluation and Other Points of Significance. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:23-31.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_4.

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2022) Foundations of Machine Learning-Based Clinical Prediction Modeling: Part II-Generalization and Overfitting. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:15-21.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_3.

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2022) Foundations of Machine Learning-Based Clinical Prediction Modeling: Part I-Introduction and General Principles. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:7-13.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_2.

Staartjes VE, Regli L, Serra C. (2022) Machine Intelligence in Clinical Neuroscience: Taming the Unchained Prometheus. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2022;134:1-4.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-85292-4_1.

Staartjes VE, Klukowska AM, Vieli M, Niftrik CHBV, Stienen MN, Serra C, Regli L, Vandertop WP, Schröder ML (2021) Machine learning-augmented objective functional testing in the degenerative spine: quantifying impairment using patient-specific five-repetition sit-to-stand assessment. Neurosurg Focus. 2021 Nov;51(5):E8.
doi: 10.3171/2021.8.FOCUS21386.

Zanier O, Zoli M, Staartjes VE, Guaraldi F, Asioli S, Rustici A, Picciola VM, Pasquini E, Faustini-Fustini M, Erlic Z, Regli L, Mazzatenta D, Serra C. (2021) Machine learning-based clinical outcome prediction in surgery for acromegaly.
Endocrine. 2021 Oct 12.
doi: 10.1007/s12020-021-02890-z.

Staartjes VE, Volokitin A, Regli L, Konukoglu E, Serra C (2021) Machine Vision for Real-Time Intraoperative Anatomic Guidance: A Proof-of-Concept Study in Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2021 Jun 15;opab187.
doi: 10.1093/ons/opab187.

Staartjes VE, Seevinck PR, Vandertop WP, van Stralen M, Schröder ML (2021) Magnetic resonance imaging-based synthetic computed tomography of the lumbar spine for surgical planning: a clinical proof-of-concept. Neurosurg Focus 2021 Jan;50(1):E13.
doi: 10.3171/2020.10.FOCUS20801.

Akeret K, Stumpo V, Staartjes VE, Vasella F, Velz J, Marinoni F, Dufour JP, Imbach LL, Regli L, Serra C, Krayenbühl N (2020) Topographic brain tumor anatomy drives seizure risk and enables machine learning based prediction. Neuroimage Clinical 2020;28:102506.
doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102506.

Azad TD, Ehresman J, Ahmed AK, Staartjes VE, Lubelski D, Stienen MN, Veeravagu A, Ratliff JK (2020) Fostering Reproducibility and Generalizability in Machine Learning for Clinical Prediction Modeling in Spine Surgery. The Spine Journal Oct 13:S1529-9430(20)31143-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.10.006

Jin MC, Ho AL, Feng AY, Zhang Y, Staartjes VE, Stienen MN, Han SS, Veeravagu A, Ratliff JK, Desai AM (2020) Predictive Modeling of Long-Term Opioid and Benzodiazepine Use after Intradural Tumor Resection. The Spine Journal Oct 13:S1529-9430(20)31147-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.10.010

Maldaner N, Zeitlberger AM, Sosnova M, Goldberg J, Fung C, Bervini D, May A, Bijlenga P, Schaller K, Roethlisberger M, Rychen J, Zumofen DW, D’Alonzo D, Marbacher S, Fandino J, Daniel RT, Burkhardt JK, Chiappini A, Robert T, Schatlo B, Schmid J, Maduri R, Staartjes VE, Seule MA, Weyerbrock A, Serra C, Stienen MN, Bozinov O, Regli L (2020) Development of a Complication- and Treatment-Aware Prediction Model for Favorable Functional Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Based on Machine Learning. Neurosurgery Oct 5:nyaa401.
doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa401

Staartjes VE, Stumpo V, Kernbach JM, Klukowska AM, Gadjradj PS, Schröder ML, Veeravagu A, Stienen MN, van Niftrik CHB, Serra C, Regli L (2020) Machine learning in neurosurgery: a global survey. Acta Neurochirurgica
doi: 10.1007/s00701-020-04532-1

Kernbach JM, Staartjes VE (2020) Predicted Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer Patients by Machine Learning-Letter. Clinical Cancer Research 15;26(14):3891
doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-20-0523

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2020) Significance of external validation in clinical machine learning: let loose too early?. The Spine Journal 20(7):1159-1160
doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.02.016

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2020) Machine learning-based clinical prediction modeling — A practical guide for clinicians. arXiv [Preprint]
doi: arXiv:2006.15069

Staartjes VE, Broggi M, Zattra CM, Vasella F, Velz J, Schiavolin S, Serra C, Bartek J, Fletcher-Sandersjöö A, Förander P, Kalasauskas D, Renovanz M, Ringel F, Brawanski KR, Kerschbaumer J, Freyschlag CF, Jakola AS, Sjåvik K, Solheim O, Schatlo B, Sachkova A, Bock HC, Hussein A, Rohde V, Broekman MLD, Nogarede CO, Lemmens CMC, Kernbach JM, Neuloh G, Bozinov O, Krayenbühl N, Sarnthein J, Ferroli P, Regli L, Stienen MN (2020) Development and external validation of a clinical prediction model for functional impairment after intracranial tumor surgery. Journal of Neurosurgery 1, 1–8.
doi: 10.3171/2020.4.JNS20643

Zoli M, Staartjes VE, Guaraldi F, Friso F, Rustici A, Asioli S, Sollini G, Pasquini E, Regli L, Serra C, Mazzatenta D (2020) Machine learning-based prediction of outcomes of the endoscopic endonasal approach in Cushing disease: is the future coming?. Neurosurgical Focus 48(6):E5.
doi: 10.3171/2020.3.FOCUS2060

Voglis S, van Niftrik CHB, Staartjes VE, Brandi G, Tschopp O, Regli L, Serra C (2020) Feasibility of machine learning based predictive modelling of postoperative hyponatremia after pituitary surgery. Pituitary
doi: 10.1007/s11102-020-01056-w

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2020) Letter to the Editor Regarding “Investigating Risk Factors and Predicting Complications in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery with Machine Learning Algorithms”. World Neurosurgery 137:496.
doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.01.189

Staartjes VE, Sebök M, Blum PG, Serra C, Germans MR, Krayenbühl N, Regli L, Esposito G. (2020) Development of machine learning-based preoperative predictive analytics for unruptured intracranial aneurysm surgery: a pilot study. Acta Neurochirurgica.
doi: 10.1007/s00701-020-04355-0

Staartjes VE, Kernbach JM (2020) Importance of calibration assessment in machine learning-based predictive analytics. J Neurosurg Spine 1‐2.
doi: 10.3171/2019.12.SPINE191503

Staartjes VE, Stienen MN (2019) Data Mining in Spine Surgery: Leveraging Electronic Health Records for Machine Learning and Clinical Research. Neurospine 16 (4), 654-656.
doi: 10.14245/ns.1938434.217

Quddusi A, Eversdijk HAJ, Klukowska AM, de Wispelaere MP, Kernbach JM, Schröder ML, Staartjes VE (2019) External validation of a prediction model for pain and functional outcome after elective lumbar spinal fusion. European Spine Journal
doi: 10.1007/s00586-019-06189-6

Staartjes VE, Zattra CM, Akeret K, Maldaner N, Muscas G, Bas van Niftrik CH, Fierstra J, Regli L, Serra C (2019) Neural network-based identification of patients at high risk for intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks in endoscopic pituitary surgery. Journal of Neurosurgery 1–7.
doi: 10.3171/2019.4.JNS19477

van Niftrik CHB, van der Wouden F, Staartjes VE, Fierstra J, Stienen MN, Akeret K, Sebök M, Fedele T, Sarnthein J, Bozinov O, Krayenbühl N, Regli L, Serra C (2019) Machine Learning Algorithm Identifies Patients at High Risk for Early Complications After Intracranial Tumor Surgery: Registry-Based Cohort Study. Neurosurgery
doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyz145

Siccoli A, de Wispelaere MP, Schröder ML, Staartjes VE (2019) Machine learning-based preoperative predictive analytics for lumbar spinal stenosis. Neurosurgical Focus 46:E5.
doi: 10.3171/2019.2.FOCUS18723

Staartjes VE, de Wispelaere MP, Vandertop WP, Schröder ML (2019) Deep learning-based preoperative predictive analytics for patient-reported outcomes following lumbar discectomy: feasibility of center-specific modeling. The Spine Journal 19:853–861.
doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2018.11.009

Staartjes VE, Serra C, Muscas G, Maldaner N, Akeret K, van Niftrik CHB, Fierstra J, Holzmann D, Regli L (2018) Utility of deep neural networks in predicting gross-total resection after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma: a pilot study. Neurosurgical Focus 45:E12.
doi: 10.3171/2018.8.FOCUS18243

Staartjes VE, Schröder ML (2018) Class imbalance in machine learning for neurosurgical outcome prediction: are our models valid? Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine 29:611–612.
doi: 10.3171/2018.5.SPINE18543