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Rajiv R. Iyer

Rajiv R. Iyer, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Neurosurgery
801-662-5340
  • Dr. Rajiv Iyer is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and a dual fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeon with a special focus on pediatric spinal disorders and spasticity. After completing a residency and chief residency in neurological surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Iyer completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at University of Utah/Primary Children’s Hospital. He then went on to complete the prestigious Advanced Pediatric Spinal Deformity Fellowship within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York with Dr. Michael Vitale and Dr. Lawrence Lenke.

    Dr. Iyer is one of only a few pediatric spine surgeons in the nation with extensive training in both the neurosurgical and orthopedic aspects of spinal deformity care in children. Conditions he treats include idiopathic scoliosis, early onset scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, and kyphosis. Other spinal disorders that he treats include craniocervical disorders, traumatic spinal disorders, tumors of the spinal column and spinal cord, spondylolisthesis, disc herniations, and others. Dr. Iyer also offers the latest surgical solutions in spine care, including anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) for scoliosis, as well as spinal column shortening for recurrent tethered cord syndrome. He is involved in several national research initiatives to better understand and improve the treatment of pediatric spinal conditions and to enhance the safety of complex spinal surgery in children. In addition to spinal disorders, Dr. Iyer also treats all general pediatric neurosurgical conditions, including hydrocephalus, brain tumors, tethered spinal cord, vascular disorders, congenital anomalies of the nervous system, spina bifida and others.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    National Board of Medical Examiners
  • Dr. Rajiv Iyer is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and a dual fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeon with a special focus on pediatric spinal disorders and spasticity. After completing a residency and chief residency in neurological surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Iyer completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at University of Utah/Primary Children’s Hospital. He then went on to complete the prestigious Advanced Pediatric Spinal Deformity Fellowship within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York with Dr. Michael Vitale and Dr. Lawrence Lenke.

    Dr. Iyer is one of only a few pediatric spine surgeons in the nation with extensive training in both the neurosurgical and orthopedic aspects of spinal deformity care in children. Conditions he treats include idiopathic scoliosis, early onset scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, and kyphosis. Other spinal disorders that he treats include craniocervical disorders, traumatic spinal disorders, tumors of the spinal column and spinal cord, spondylolisthesis, disc herniations, and others. Dr. Iyer also offers the latest surgical solutions in spine care, including anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) for scoliosis, as well as spinal column shortening for recurrent tethered cord syndrome. He is involved in several national research initiatives to better understand and improve the treatment of pediatric spinal conditions and to enhance the safety of complex spinal surgery in children. In addition to spinal disorders, Dr. Iyer also treats all general pediatric neurosurgical conditions, including hydrocephalus, brain tumors, tethered spinal cord, vascular disorders, congenital anomalies of the nervous system, spina bifida and others.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Neurosurgery -Primary
    Board Certification
    National Board of Medical Examiners

    Education history

    Fellowship Advanced Pediatric Spinal Deformity - NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Fellow
    Pediatric Neurological Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Fellow
    Residency Neurological Surgery - Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Resident
    Medicine - New York University School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Major: Neural Science; Minor: Music - New York University B.Sc. (Hons)

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Ravindra VM, Robinson L, Jensen H, Kurudza E, Joyce E, Ludwick A, Telford R, Youssef O, Ryan J, Bollo RJ, Iyer RR, Kestle JRW, Cheshier SH, Ikeda DS, Mao Q, Brockmeyer DL (2024). Morphological and ultrastructural investigation of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane: Comparing children with Chiari malformation type I and controls. PLoS One, 19(1), e0296260. (Read full article)
    2. Findlay MC, Tenhoeve S, Terry SA, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Kelly MP, Kestle JRW, Gonda D, Ravindra VM (2023). Disparities in indications and outcomes reporting for pediatric tethered cord surgery: The need for a standardized outcome assessment tool. Childs Nerv Syst. (Read full article)
    3. Russell KW, Iantorno SE, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Smith KM, Polukoff NE, Larsen KE, Barnes KL, Bell TM, Fenton SJ, Inaba K, Swendiman RA (2023). Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance: A 10-year Evaluation of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 95(3), 354-360. (Read full article)
    4. Swendiman RA, Scaife JH, Barnes KL, Bell TM, Roach CM, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Russell KW (2023). Hanging and Srangulation Injuries: An Institutional Review From a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. J Pediatr Surg. (Read full article)
    5. Iyer RR, Fano AN, Matsumoto H, Sinha R, Roye BD, Vitale MG, Anderson RCE, Pediatric Spine Foundation (2022). Younger age at spinal cord detethering is potentially associated with a reduced risk of curve progression in children with early onset scoliosis. Spine Deform, 11(3), 739-745. (Read full article)
    6. Grimmer JF, Hoffman MR, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL (2022). Combined transnasal/transoral endoscopic odontoid resection in pediatric patients: Otolaryngologic considerations to airway management, endoscopic exposure, and complication management. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 164, 111372. (Read full article)
    7. Kunes J, Quan T, Iyer R, Fano AN, Matsumoto H, Erickson M, McCarthy R, Brockmeyer D, Anderson RCE, Vitale MG, Pediatric Spine Study Group (2022). Reduced complication rate with simultaneous detethering and spinal deformity correction surgery compared to staged surgeries in patients with early onset scoliosis. Spine Deform, 10(6), 1473-1480. (Read full article)
    8. Lopez CD, Boddapati V, Lombardi JM, Lee NJ, Mathew J, Danford NC, Iyer RR, Dyrszka MD, Sardar ZM, Lenke LG, Lehman RA (2022). Artificial Learning and Machine Learning Applications in Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review. Global Spine J, 12(7), 1561-1572. (Read full article)
    9. Iyer RR, Vitale MG, Fano AN, Matsumoto H, Sucato DJ, Samdani AF, Smith JS, Gupta MC, Kelly MP, Kim HJ, Sciubba DM, Cho SK, Polly DW, Boachie-Adjei O, Angevine PD, Lewis SJ, Lenke LG (2022). Establishing consensus: determinants of high-risk and preventative strategies for neurological events in complex spinal deformity surgery. Spine Deform, 10(4), 733-744. (Read full article)
    10. Lenke LG, Fano AN, Iyer RR, Matsumoto H, Sucato DJ, Samdani AF, Smith JS, Gupta MC, Kelly MP, Kim HJ, Sciubba DM, Cho SK, Polly DW, Boachie-Adjei O, Lewis SJ, Angevine PD, Vitale MG (2022). Development of consensus-based best practice guidelines for response to intraoperative neuromonitoring events in high-risk spinal deformity surgery. Spine Deform, 10(4), 745-761. (Read full article)
    11. Roye BD, Matsumoto H, Fano AN, Marciano GF, Iyer RR, Boby A, Bainton N, Lenke LG, Newton PO, Vitale MG (2021). Distal adding-on in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis results in diminished health-related quality of life at 10 years following posterior spinal fusion. Spine Deform, 10(3), 515-526. (Read full article)
    12. Yanni DS, Ozgur BM, Louis RG, Shekhtman Y, Iyer RR, Boddapati V, Iyer A, Patel PD, Jani R, Cummock M, Herur-Raman A, Dang P, Goldstein IM, Brant-Zawadzki M, Steineke T, Lenke LG (2021). Real-time navigation guidance with intraoperative CT imaging for pedicle screw placement using an augmented reality head-mounted display: a proof-of-concept study. Neurosurg Focus, 51(2), E11. (Read full article)
    13. Ravindra VM, Iyer RR, Yahanda AT, Bollo RJ, Zhu H, Joyce E, Bethel-Anderson T, Meehan T, Smyth MD, Strahle JM, Park TS, Limbrick DD, Brockmeyer DL, Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium (2021). A multicenter validation of the condylar-C2 sagittal vertical alignment in Chiari malformation type I: a study using the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 1-7. (Read full article)
    14. Iyer RR, Grimmer JF, Brockmeyer DL (2021). Endoscopic transnasal/transoral odontoid resection in children: results of a combined neurosurgical and otolaryngological protocolized, institutional approach. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 1-8. (Read full article)
    15. Sherrod BA, Makarenko S, Iyer RR, Eli I, Kestle JR, Couldwell WT (2021). Primary pituitary abscess in an adolescent female patient: case report, literature review, and operative video. Childs Nerv Syst, 37(5), 1423-1428. (Read full article)
    16. Kim JH, Um R, Liu J, Patel J, Curry E, Aghabaglou F, Mahapatra S, Ainechi A, Tsehay Y, Ehresman J, Hwang B, Tyler B, Iyer R, Theodore N, Manbachi A (2021). Development of a Smart Hospital Assistant: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and a Voice-User Interface for Improved Surgical Outcomes. Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng, 11601. (Read full article)
    17. Belzberg M, Mahapatra S, Perdomo-Pantoja A, Chavez F, Morrison K, Xiong KT, Gamo NJ, Restaino S, Thakor N, Yazdi Y, Iyer R, Tyler B, Theodore N, Luciano MG, Brem H, Groves M, Cohen AR, Manbachi A (2020). Minimally invasive therapeutic ultrasound: Ultrasound-guided ultrasound ablation in neuro-oncology. Ultrasonics, 108, 106210. (Read full article)
    18. Gorelick NL, Serra R, Iyer R, Um R, Grewal A, Monroe A, Antoine H, Beharry K, Cecia A, Kroll F, Ishida W, Perdomo-Pantoja A, Xu R, Loth F, Ye X, Suk I, Tyler B, Bayston R, Luciano MG (2019). Evaluating the Effects of Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Content on the Performance of Differential Pressure Valves and Antisiphon Devices Using a Novel Benchtop Shunting Model. Neurosurgery, 87(5), 1046-1054. (Read full article)
    19. Ravindra VM, Iyer RR, Awad AW, Bollo RJ, Zhu H, Brockmeyer DL (2020). Defining the role of the condylar-C2 sagittal vertical alignment in Chiari malformation type I. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 26(4), 1-6. (Read full article)
    20. Gamboa NT, Karsy M, Iyer RR, Bollo RJ, Schmidt RH (2020). Stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy for brainstem cavernous malformations: two preliminary cases. Acta Neurochir (Wien), 162(7), 1771-1775. (Read full article)
    21. Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL (2020). C1 hypertrophic lateral mass resection and occiput-C2 fusion. Neurosurg Focus Video, 3(1), V6. (Read full article)
    22. Lopez J, Chen J, Purvis T, Reategui A, Khavanin N, Iyer R, Manson PN, Dorafshar AH, Cohen AR, Redett RJ (2020). Pediatric Skull Fracture Characteristics Associated with the Development of Leptomeningeal Cysts in Young Children after Trauma: A Single Institution's Experience. Plast Reconstr Surg, 145(5), 953e-962e. (Read full article)
    23. Sherrod BA, Iyer RR, Kestle JRW (2019). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for pediatric tumor-associated hydrocephalus. Neurosurg Focus, 48(1), E5. (Read full article)
    24. Zhang M, Iyer RR, Azad TD, Wang Q, Garzon-Muvdi T, Wang J, Liu A, Burger P, Eberhart C, Rodriguez FJ, Sciubba DM, Wolinsky JP, Gokaslan Z, Groves ML, Jallo GI, Bettegowda C (2019). Genomic Landscape of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Gliomas. Sci Rep, 9(1), 18722. (Read full article)
    25. Perdomo-Pantoja A, Ishida W, Zygourakis C, Holmes C, Iyer RR, Cottrill E, Theodore N, Witham TF, Lo SL (2019). Accuracy of Current Techniques for Placement of Pedicle Screws in the Spine: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 51,161 Screws. World Neurosurg, 126, 664-678.e3. (Read full article)
    26. Iyer RR, Ye X, Jin Q, Lu Y, Liyanage L, Ahn ES (2018). Optimal duration of postoperative helmet therapy following endoscopic strip craniectomy for sagittal craniosynostosis. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 22(6), 610-615. (Read full article)
    27. Manbachi A, De Silva T, Uneri A, Jacobson M, Goerres J, Ketcha M, Han R, Aygun N, Thompson D, Ye X, Vogt S, Kleinszig G, Molina C, Iyer R, Garzon-Muvdi T, Raber MR, Groves M, Wolinsky JP, Siewerdsen JH (2018). Clinical Translation of the LevelCheck Decision Support Algorithm for Target Localization in Spine Surgery. Ann Biomed Eng, 46(10), 1548-1557. (Read full article)
    28. Iyer RR, Elder BD, Garzon-Muvdi T, Sacks JM, Suk I, Wolinsky JP (2017). Use of an Articulating Hinge to Facilitate Cervicothoracic Deformity Correction During Vertebral Column Resection. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown), 15(3), 278-284. (Read full article)
    29. Iyer RR, Gorelick N, Carroll K, Blitz AM, Beck S, Garrett CM, Monroe A, Tyler B, Zuckerman ST, Capadona JR, von Recum HA, Luciano MG (2017). Evaluation of an in vivo model for ventricular shunt infection: a pilot study using a novel antimicrobial-loaded polymer. J Neurosurg, 131(2), 587-595. (Read full article)
    30. Iyer R, Chaichana KL (2018). Minimally Invasive Resection of Deep-seated High-grade Gliomas Using Tubular Retractors and Exoscopic Visualization. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg, 79(4), 330-336. (Read full article)
    31. Iyer RR, Carey CM, Rottgers SA, Tetreault L, Shimony N, Katzenstein J, Ruas E, Tuite GF (2018). Early postnatal cranial vault reduction and fixation surgery for severe hydrocephalic macrocephaly. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 21(5), 486-495. (Read full article)
    32. Iyer RR, Wu A, Macmillan A, Musavi L, Cho R, Lopez J, Jallo GI, Dorafshar AH, Ahn ES (2017). Use of computer-assisted design and manufacturing to localize dural venous sinuses during reconstructive surgery for craniosynostosis. Childs Nerv Syst, 34(1), 137-142. (Read full article)
    33. Shofty B, Ben-Sira L, Kesler A, Jallo G, Groves ML, Iyer RR, Lassaletta A, Tabori U, Bouffet E, Thomale UW, Herniz Driever P, Constantini S, Isolated Optic Nerve Abnormalities IONA Collaboration (2017). Isolated optic nerve gliomas: a multicenter historical cohort study. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 20(6), 549-555. (Read full article)
    34. Iyer RR, Tuite GF, Meoded A, Carey CC, Rodriguez LF (2017). A Modified Technique for Occipitocervical Fusion Using Compressed Iliac Crest Allograft Results in a High Rate of Fusion in the Pediatric Population. World Neurosurg, 107, 342-350. (Read full article)
    35. Iyer RR, Solomon D, Moghekar A, Goodwin CR, Stewart CM, Ishii M, Gailloud P, Gallia GL (2017). Venous Sinus Stenting in the Management of Patients with Intracranial Hypertension Manifesting with Skull Base Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks. World Neurosurg, 106, 103-112. (Read full article)
    36. Hersh DS, Iyer RR, Garzon-Muvdi T, Liu A, Jallo GI, Groves ML (2017). Instrumented fusion for spinal deformity after laminectomy or laminoplasty for resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors in pediatric patients. Neurosurg Focus, 43(4), E12. (Read full article)
    37. Lin LM, Iyer RR, Bender MT, Monarch T, Colby GP, Huang J, Tamargo RJ, Coon AL (2017). Rescue Treatment with Pipeline Embolization for Postsurgical Clipping Recurrences of Anterior Communicating Artery Region Aneurysms. Interv Neurol, 6(3-4), 135-146. (Read full article)
    38. Elder BD, Ishida W, Iyer R, Witham TF (2016). Rapid resolution of large spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma without surgical intervention. Spine J, 16(9), e613-4. (Read full article)
    39. Goodwin CR, Iyer R, Abu-Bonsrah N, Boah AO, Sciubba DM (2015). Traumatic atlantooccipital dissociation. Spine J, 16(3), e165-6. (Read full article)
    40. Garzon-Muvdi T, Iyer R, Goodwin CR, Abu-Bonsrah N, Orru E, Gailloud P, Sciubba DM (2015). Percutaneous embolization and spondylectomy of an aggressive L2 hemangioma. Spine J, 16(3), e167-8. (Read full article)
    41. Goodwin CR, Xu R, Iyer R, Sankey EW, Liu A, Abu-Bonsrah N, Sarabia-Estrada R, Frazier JL, Sciubba DM, Jallo GI (2016). Local delivery methods of therapeutic agents in the treatment of diffuse intrinsic brainstem gliomas. Clin Neurol Neurosurg, 142, 120-127. (Read full article)
    42. Ding BS, James D, Iyer R, Falciatori I, Hambardzumyan D, Wang S, Butler JM, Rabbany SY, Hormigo A (2013). Prominin 1/CD133 endothelium sustains growth of proneural glioma. PLoS One, 8(4), e62150. (Read full article)
    43. Yang C, Iyer RR, Yu AC, Yong RL, Park DM, Weil RJ, Ikejiri B, Brady RO, Lonser RR, Zhuang Z (2012). β-Catenin signaling initiates the activation of astrocytes and its dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of astrocytomas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 109(18), 6963-8. (Read full article)
    44. Zhuang Z, Qi M, Li J, Okamoto H, Xu DS, Iyer RR, Lu J, Yang C, Weil RJ, Vortmeyer A, Lonser RR (2011). Proteomic identification of glutamine synthetase as a differential marker for oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas. J Neurosurg, 115(4), 789-95. (Read full article)
    45. Iyer RR, Butman JA, Walbridge S, Gai ND, Heiss JD, Lonser RR (2011). Tracking accuracy of T2- and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for infusate distribution by convection-enhanced delivery. J Neurosurg, 115(3), 474-80. (Read full article)
    46. Yang C, Asthagiri AR, Iyer RR, Lu J, Xu DS, Ksendzovsky A, Brady RO, Zhuang Z, Lonser RR (2011). Missense mutations in the NF2 gene result in the quantitative loss of merlin protein and minimally affect protein intrinsic function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 108(12), 4980-5. (Read full article)
    47. Lu J, Chiang J, Iyer RR, Thompson E, Kaneski CR, Xu DS, Yang C, Chen M, Hodes RJ, Lonser RR, Brady RO, Zhuang Z (2010). Decreased glucocerebrosidase activity in Gaucher disease parallels quantitative enzyme loss due to abnormal interaction with TCP1 and c-Cbl. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107(50), 21665-70. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Iyer RR, Strahle JM, Groves ML (2021). Neurosurgical Considerations of Neurocutaneous Syndromes. [Review]. Neurosurg Clin N Am, 33(1), 81-89. (Read full article)
    2. Fouda MA, Jeelani Y, Gokoglu A, Iyer RR, Cohen AR (2021). Endoscope-assisted microsurgical retrosigmoid approach to the lateral posterior fossa: Cadaveric model and a review of literature. [Review]. Surg Neurol Int, 12, 416. (Read full article)

    Editorial

    1. Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL (2021). Editorial. Tethered to the past no more: the case for spinal column shortening. J Neurosurg Pediatr, 1-2. (Read full article)
    2. Iyer RR, Uribe-Cardenas R, Ahn ES (2016). Single incision endoscope-assisted surgery for sagittal craniosynostosis. Childs Nerv Syst, 33(1), 1-5. (Read full article)
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