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Laurence D. Rhines, M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1993 Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, MD, Medicine
1989 Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, AB, Biology, summa cum laude

Postgraduate Training

7/1997-6/1999 Hunterian Neuro-Oncology Fellow, Hunterian Brain Tumor Laboratory, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
1/1997-6/1997 Chief Resident, Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
7/1996-12/1996 Chief Resident, Pediatric Neurosurgical Service, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
7/1994-6/1996 Assistant Resident, Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
7/1993-6/1994 Intern, General Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Board Certifications

11/2005 American Board of Neurological Surgery
1/1994 Diplomat, National Board of Medical Examiners

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1/2008-present

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Director, Spine Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 4/2002-present

Honors and Awards

2009 Regional Castle Connolly Top Doctor
2007-2008 Best Doctors in America
2006 American Radium Society Essay Award, American Radium Society
2005-2006 Best Doctors in America
1999 Harvey Cushing Hunterian Research Award
1998-1999 NIH National Research Service Award CA-09574-12
1997-1998 NIH National Research Service Award CA-09574-11
1989 Phi Beta Kappa
1989 Princeton University Department of Biology Book Award
1989 Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
1985-1989 Garden State Distinguished Scholar

Professional Memberships

AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
Member, 1999-present
AO North America Continuing Medical Education Faculty
Member, 1999-present
Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons
Member, 2004-present
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
Member, 1996-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Tatsui CE, Lang FF, Gumin J, Suki D, Rhines LD. An orthotopic murine model of human spinal metastasis: histological and functional correlations. JNS Spine 10(6):501-12, 6/2009. PMID: 19558282.
2. Williams BJ, Fox BD, Sciubba DM, Suki D, Tu SM, Kuban D, Gokaslan ZL, Rhines LD, Rao G. Surgical management of prostate cancer metastatic to the spine. J Neurosurg Spine 10(5):414-22, 5/2009. PMID: 19442002.
3. Chan P, Boriani S, Fourney DR, Biagini R, Dekutoski MB, Fehlings MG, Ryken TC, Gokaslan ZL, Vrionis FD, Harrop JS, Schmidt MH, Vialle LR, Gerszten PC, Rhines LD, Ondra SL, Pratt SR, Fisher CG.. An assessment of the reliability of the Enneking and Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini classifications for staging of primary spinal tumors by the spine oncology study group. Spine 15 (35)(4):384-91, 2/2009. PMID: 19214098.
4. Rao G, Suki D, Chakrabarti I, Feiz-Erfan I, Mody MG, McCutcheon IE, Gokaslan ZL, Patel S, Rhines LD. Surgical management of primary and metastatic sarcoma of the mobile spine. J Neurosurg Spine 9(2):120-8, 8/2008.
5. Feiz-Erfan I, Rhines LD, Weinberg, JS. The role of surgery in the management of metastatic spinal tumors. Semin Oncol 35(2):108-112, 4/2008.
6. Sciubba DM, Chi JH, Rhines LD, Gokaslan ZL. Chordoma of the spinal column. Neurosurg Clin N Am 19(1):5-15, 1/2008.
7. Chi JH, Sciubba DM, Rhines LD, Gokaslan ZL. Surgery for primary vertebral tumors: en bloc versus intralesional resection. Neurosurg Clin N Am 19(1):111-7, 1/2008.
8. Sciubba DM, Gokaslan ZL, Suk I, Suki D, Maldaun MV, McCutcheon IE, Theriault R, Rhines LD, Shehadi JA. Positive and negative prognostic variables for patients undergoing spine surgery for metastatic breast disease. Eur Spine J, 10/2007.
9. Chang EL, Shiu AS, Mendel E, Mathews LA, Mahajan A, Allen PK, Woo SY, Cleeland C, Maor MH, Rhines LD. Phase I/II study of stereotactic body radiotherapy for spinal metastasis and its patterns of failure. J Neurosurg Spine 7(2):151-60, 8/2007.
10. Shehadi JA, Sciubba DM, Suk I, Suki D, Maldaun MV, McCutcheon IE, Nader R, Theriault R, Rhines LD, Gokaslan ZL. Surgical treatment stratagies and outcome in patients with breast cancer metastatic to the spine: a review of 87 patients. Eur Spine J 16(8):1179-92, 8/2007.
11. Tatsui CE, Rao G, Rhines LD. Radiotherapy for a destructive cervicothoracic lesion from multiple myeloma. J Neurosurg Spine 6(5):493, 5/2007.
12. Rao G, Bohinski R, Feiz-Erfan I, Rhines LD. Dynamic retraction of the psoas muscle to expose the lumbar spine using the retroperitoneal approach. Technical note. J Neurosurg Spine 5:468-70, 11/2006. PMID: 17120900.
13. Rao G, Ha CS, Chakrabarti I, Feiz-Erfan I, Mendel E, Rhines LD. Multiple myeloma of the cervical spine: treatment strategies for pain and spinal instability. J Neurosurg Spine 5:140-5, 8/2006. PMID: 16925080.
14. Chakrabarti I, Burton AW, Rao G, Feiz-Erfan I, Hlatky R, Rhines LD, Mendel E. Percutaneous vertebroplasty of a myelomatous compression fracture in the presence of previous posterior instrumentation. Report of two cases. J Neurosurg Spine 5:168-71, 8/2006. PMID: 16925086.
15. Tannir N, Jonasch E, Pagliaro LC, Mathew P, Siefker-Radtke A, Rhines L, Lin P, Tibbs R, Do KA, Lin SH, Tu SM. Pilot trial of bone-targeted therapy with zoledronate, thalidomide, and interferon-gamma for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cancer 107:497-505, 8/2006. PMID: 16795067.
16. Mody MG, Rao G, Rhines LD. Surgical management of spinal mesenchymal tumors. Curr Oncol Rep 8:297-304, 7/2006. PMID: 17254530.
17. Sampath P, Rhines LD, Dimeco F, Tyler BM, Park MC, Brem H. Interstitial Docetaxel (Taxotere), Carmustine and Combined Interstitial Therapy: a Novel Treatment for Experimental Malignant Glioma. J Neurooncol, 4/2006. PMID: 16636748.
18. McPherson CM, Suki D, McCutcheon IE, Gokaslan ZL, Rhines LD, Mendel E. Metastatic disease from spinal chordoma: a 10-year experience. J Neurosurg Spine 5(4):277-80, 2006.
19. Fourney DR, Rhines LD, Hentschel SJ, Skibber JM, Wolinsky JP, Weber KL, Suki D, Gallia GL, Garonzik I, Gokaslan ZL. En bloc resection of primary sacral tumors: classification of surgical approaches and outcome. J Neurosurg Spine 3(2):111-22, 8/2005. PMID: 16370300.
20. Bohinski RJ, Mendel E, Rhines LD. Novel use of a threadwire saw for high sacral amputation. Technical note and description of operative technique. J Neurosurg Spine 3:71-8, 7/2005. PMID: 16122028.
21. Holman PJ, Suki D, McCutcheon I, Wolinsky JP, Rhines LD, Gokaslan ZL. Surgical management of metastatic disease of the lumbar spine: experience with 139 patients. J Neurosurg Spine 2(5):550-63, 5/2005. PMID: 15945429.
22. Marco RA, Gentry JB, Rhines LD, Lewis VO, Wolinski JP, Jaffe N, Gokaslan ZL. Ewing's sarcoma of the mobile spine. Spine 30(7):769-73, 4/2005. PMID: 15803079.
23. Samartzis D, Marco RA, Benjamin R, Vaporciyan A, Rhines LD. Multilevel en bloc spondylectomy and chest wall excision via a simultaneous anterior and posterior approach for Ewing sarcoma. Spine 30:831-7, 4/2005. PMID: 15803089.
24. Hentschel SJ, Burton AW, Fourney DR, Rhines LD, Mendel E. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty performed at a cancer center: refuting proposed contraindications. J Neurosurg Spine 2(4):436-40, 4/2005. PMID: 15871483.
25. Burton AW, Rhines LD, Mendel E. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: a comprehensive review. Neurosurg Focus 18(3):e1, 3/2005. PMID: 15771389.
26. Rhines LD, Fourney DR, Siadati A, Suk I, Gokaslan ZL. En bloc resection of multilevel cervical chordoma with C-2 involvement. Case report and description of operative technique. J Neurosurg Spine 2:199-205, 2/2005. PMID: 15739534.
27. Raiszadeh R Rhines LD. Management of thoracic spine infections. Operative Tech in Neurosurg, 2005.
28. Gelperin A, Rhines LD, Flores J, Tank DW. Coherent network oscillations by olfactory interneurons: modulation by endogenous amines. J Neurophysiol 69(6):1930-9, 6/1993. PMID: 8102394.
29. Debnam JM, Rhines LD, Ketonen L, Edeiken BS, Hunter GJ, Hamberg LM. Multidetector CT with volume rendered series in the evaluation of primary bone tumors of the spine. Amer J of Neurorad. Submitted.

Abstracts
1. Chan P, Boriani S, Fourney DR, Gehlings MG, Biagini R, Dekutoski MB, Ryken TC, Vrionis FD, Harrop JS, Schmidt MH, Vialle LR, Gerszten PC, Rhines LD, Ondra SL, Gokaslan ZL, Pratt SR, Fisher CG. An assessment of the reliability of the Enneking and Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini (WBB) classifications for staging of primary spinal tumors. Canadian Spine Society Annual Meeting, Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia, Canada, 3/2008.
2. Bolton W, Rice D, Goodyear A, Correa A, Erasmus J, Gokaslan ZL, Hofstetter W, Komaki R, Mehran R, Pisters K, Roth J, Swisher S, Vaporciyan A, Walsh GL, Weaver JA, Rhines LD. Long-term survival with surgical management of superior sulcus tumors with vertebral involvement. AANS/ CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, Orlando, FL, 3/2008.
3. Viswanathan A, Abd-El-Barr M, Mendel E, Doppenberg EMR, Rao G, Rhines LD. Initial experience with the use of an expandable titanium cage as a vertebral body replacement in patients with tumors of the spinal column: a report of 67 patients. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 9/2007.
4. Benveniste RJ, Rhines LD. Instrumentation across the cervicothoracic junction followin gresection of metastatic tumors. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 9/2007.
5. Aizenberg MR, Suki D, Rao G, Rhines LD. Metastatic spine disease from unknown primary cancers. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 9/2007.
6. Gokaslan ZL, Arnold PM, Rhines LD, Knapp K. Vertebral body reconstruction using expandable cage implants following single-level thoracolumbar tumor resections: interim evaluation of a prospective, multi-center study. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 9/2007.
7. Debnam JM, Rhines LD, Ketonen L, Edeiken BS, Hunter GJ, Hamburg LM. Multidetector CT with volume rendered series in the evaluation of primary bone tumors of the spine. American Society of Neuroradiology, Chicago, IL, 6/2007.
8. Chang E, Shiu A, Mendel E, Mathews L, Mahajan A, Allen P, Weinberg J, Brown B, Wang XS, Woo S, Rhines LD. Phase I/II study of stereotactic spine radiation therapy for spinal metastasis and its pattern of failure. 8th International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society Congress, San Francisco, CA, 6/2007.
9. Prabhu SS, Kim SS, McCutcheon IE, Sawaya R, Weinberg JS, Lang FF, Heimberger AB, DeMonte F, Hassenbusch SJ, Rhines LD, Ferson DZ, Wefel J, Suki D. Awake craniotomy for brain tumors near eloquent cortex: correlation of intraoperative cortical mapping with neurological outcome in 300 consecutive patients. American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 4/2007.
10. Feiz-Erfan I, Suki D, Shi W, Heimberger A, Cohen Zr, Weinberg JS, DeMonte F, McCutcheon IE, Rhines LD, Fuller GN, Hassenbusch S. Extent of resection does increase survival in a select group of patients with newly diagnosed untreated anaplastic astrocytomas. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 10/2006.
11. Feiz-Erfan I, Rao G, Chakrabarti I, Suki D, Mody MG, McCutcheon IE, Rhines LD. Local recurrence after en bloc resection of previously untreated sacral chordomas. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 10/2006.
12. Feiz-Erfan I, Nader R, Chakrabarti I, Rao G, Suki D, Mendel E, Gokaslan ZL, Rhines LD. Outcome of surger for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCCA) to the sacrum. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 10/2006.
13. Rao G, Feiz-Erfan I, Chakrabarti I, Suki D, Mody MG, McCutcheon IE, Rhines LD. Surgical management of primary and metastatic sarcoma of the mobile spine. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting (oral presentation), 10/2006.
14. Feiz-Erfan I, Walsh GL, Skibber JM, Gokaslan ZL, Rhines LD. Total sacrectomy for primar bony tumors of the sacrum: a critical analysis of 5 cases. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 10/2006.
15. Thomas SK, Wang ML, Yao K, Villareal H, Rhines LD. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and/ or kyphoplasty is an effective and safe treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures in multiple myeloma. American Society of Clinical Onology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 6/2006.
16. Liebschner M, Tawackoli W, Burton AW, Rhines LD, Mendel E. Acoustic vibration as a new diagnostic to detect the onset of vertebal compression. Bone Innovation Summit, Cleveland, OH, 5/2006.
17. Liebschner M, Sun K, Tawackoli W, Burton AW, Fukshansky M, Rhines LD, Mendel E. Aggressive vertebroplasty reduces adjacent bone strength and may lead to premature vertebral bone failure. Bone Innovation Summit, Cleveland, OH, 5/2006.
18. Rao G, Ha CS, Chakrabarti I, Feiz-Erfan I, Mendel E, Rhines LD. Multiple myeloma of the cervical spine: treatment options in the setting of instability. American Radium Society 88th Annual Meeting, Wailea, Maui (oral presentation and the 2006 Youn Oncologist Travel Award), 5/2006.
19. Chang EL, Shiu AS, Mendel E, Mathews L, Wang S, Woo S, Mahajan A, Weinberg J, Rhines LD. Interim results of a Phase I/II evaluation of stereotactic radiation for spinal metastases. American Association of Neurlogical Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Fancisco, CA (oral presentation), 4/2006.
20. Debnam JM, Rhines LD, Ketonen L, Hamberg LM, Hunter GJ. MDCT with volume rendered translucent display is a valuable tool in assessing spinal hardware failure in patients with cancer. American Society of Spine Radiology Annual Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2/2006.
21. Chang EL, Shiu A, Mendel E, Mathews L, Wang S, Woo S, Gning I, Mahajan A, Weinberg J, Rhines LD. Interim results of Phase I/II evaluation of stereotactic body radiotherapy for spinal metastases. American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 47th Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado (oral presentation), 10/2005.
22. Raiszadeh R, Mendel E, Rhines LD. Sagittal split osteotomy for en-bloc resection of a multilevel cervical sarcoma: case report and description of operative techniques. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, 10/2005.
23. Dagnew E, Rhines LD, Mendel E, Lang F, Gokaslan Z, McCutcheon I. Single-stage transpedicular vertebrectomy (TPV) with circumferential decompression and fixation for the management of spinal metastasis: a 10-year experience. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, 10/2005.
24. Raiszadeh R, Doppenberg E, Mendel E, Rhines LD. Trans-sacral approach for resection of giant pre-sacral schwannoma: case report and description of operative techniques. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, 10/2005.
25. Fourney DR, Rhines LD, Gokaslan ZL. En bloc resection of primary sacral tumors: classification of surgical approaches and outcome. American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, 4/2005.

Book Chapters
1. Lewis VO, Ballo M, Rhines LD. Rare Tumors. In: Bone Sarcomas. Springer: New York. In Press, 2009. In Press.
2. Rhines LD, Groves MD. Tumors of the spinal cord and intradural space. In: Tumors of the Brain and Spine. Springer: New York, 295-328, 2007.
3. York JE, Gokaslan ZL, Rhines LD. Combined vertebrectomy and chest wall resection for pancoast tumors. In: Spinal Cord and Spinal Column Tumors: Principles and Practice. Thieme Publishers, 468-76, 2005.
4. Mendel E, Guiot B, Rhines LD, Fessler RG. Management of thoracic disc herniation and the transpedicular decompression. In: Atlas of Neurosurgical Techniques. Thieme Publishers, 469-77, 2005.
5. Bohinski RJ, Rhines LD, Gokaslan Z. Perioperative care for neurosurgical neoplasms-2: spinal surgery. In: Acute Care in Cancer Medicine. Marcel Dekker, 2005.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Controlled drug release from composite orthopaedic bone cements
Funding Source: Orthovita
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator: P.I.: Michael Liebschner, Ph.D., Rice University
Duration: 1/1/2006 - 1/1/2010
 
Title: Use of mesenchymal stem cells as a therapeurtic delivery vehicle to prevent tumor progression in a mouse model of human spinal metastasis
Funding Source: MDACC
Role: Principal Investigator

Last updated: 9/15/2009