Dr. Yoo Kevin, M.D.
Director of Palomar Neurosurgery Center. California, USA
- BIOGRAPHY
- CURRICULUM VITAE
- SCIENTIFIC PAPERS
Dr. Kevin Yoo received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill where he double majored in English and Chemistry. He went on to Emory University School of Medicine where he became a doctor in medicine, and also completed one year of graduate school. He moved on to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he completed graduate school, his internship, and did two years of research. Dr. Yoo then moved to Illinois to attend Loyola University Medical Center for the first half of his neurosurgical residency and completed it at the University of California in San Diego.
Beginning early on one could recognize Dr. Yoo’s continual strive for excellence. He graduated high school summa cum laude, which proceeded into his college career at UNC where he was Morehead Scholar a prestigious international scholarship, on the Dean’s Honor List; a member of the UNC Honors Program and the North Carolina Fellows Program. As Dr. Yoo went onto medical school, he continued to excel and was awarded the Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship (1989) at Emory University.
Throughout his medical career Dr. Yoo has always been passionate about research, which has led to numerous publications and presentations. His extensive training has resulted in his intricate and meticulous expertise. Dr. Yoo has been relied upon as a spinal and neurosurgical expert throughout much of his career. He has been featured on FOX News and other media outlets for his extreme knowledge in spinal and neurosurgical treatments and research. Dr. Yoo is dedicated to the intricate care of each and every patient he treats. He is the Director of Palomar Neurosurgery Center and part of an elite group of neurosurgeons at Scripps Memorial Hospital and at Tri-City Medical Center in San Diego, CA.
Appointments
Current Position
Director of Palomar Neurosurgery Center
Solo/Private Practice: June 2004 – Current
Medical Facility Affiliations
Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, Trauma Office
Scripps Memorial Hospital, Encinitas
Tri-City Medical Center
Inland Valley Regional Medical Center
Rancho Springs Medical Center
La Jolla Orthopedic Outpatient Surgery Center
Palomar Medical Center
Pomerado Hospital
Approved Provider Status
Tricare
Medicare
PPO
Work Comp
Personal Injury
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dual Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English and Chemistry
August 1984 – June 1988
Emory University School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
August 1988 – June 1990
August 1991 – June 1993
Emory University Graduate School
Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
July 1990 – July 1991
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Anatomy
Passed Candidacy Oral and Written Exams
July 1994 – December 1996
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia
Department of Surgery and Affiliated Hospitals
Internship
July 1993 – June 1994
Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood, Illinois
Department of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgical Residency
January 1997 – July 2002
University of California at San Diego
San Diego, California
Division of Neurosurgery
Chief Resident, Neurosurgical Residency
July 2002 – June 2004
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas
Department of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgical Research Associate
July 1994 – December 1996
Licensure & Certification
Licensure:
California License G86513
Certifications:
Written Neurological Surgery Board Exam, March 1999
National Boards Part I, Part II, and Part III
Oral Neurological Surgery Board Exam November 2009
Professional Associations
American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Since 2004
Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Since 2004
North American Spine Society, Since 2006
Specializations
Neurosurgery
Journal Articles
Huang M, Theilmann RJ, Robb A, Angeles A, Nichols S, Drake A, D’Andrea J, Levy M, Holland M, Tao S, Ge S, Hwang E, Yoo K, Cui L, Baker DG, Trauner D, Coimbra R, Lee RR. Integrated imaging approach with MEG and DTI to Detect Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Military and Civilian Patients Journal of Neurotrauma. 26:1213-1226, 2009 Aug.
Ozgur BM, Yoo K, Rodriguez G, Taylor WR. Minimally Invasive Technique in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) European Spine J. 2005 Sept.
Levy ML, Meltzer HS, Hughes S, Aryan HE, Yoo K, Amar AP. Hydrocephalus in Children with Middle Fossa Arachnoid Cysts, Submitted to Journal of Neurosurgery 2004 Feb.
Levy ML, Wang M, Aryan HE, Yoo K, Meltzer HS. Microsurgical Keyhole Approach for Middle Fossa Arachnoid Cyst Fenestration. Neurosurgery. 53(5): 1138-45, 2003 Nov.
Shownkeen H, Yoo K, Leonetti J, Origitano TC. Endovascular Treatment of Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Malformations Presenting as Pulsatile Tinnitus. Skull Base Journal. 2001.
Yoo K, Origitano TC. Familial cervical spondylosis. Case report. Journal of Neurosurgery. 89(1): 139-41, 1998 Jul.
Alleyne CH Jr. Krisht A, Yoo K, Silverstein A, Colohan AR. Bilateral persistent trigeminal arteries associated with cerebral aneurysms and aortic arch vessel anomaly. Southern Medical Journal. 90(4): 434-8, 1997 Apr.
Krisht AF, Yoo K: Neurosurgery – The Year in Review (1995) Contemporary Neurosurgery Vol. 17, No. 27, 1995.
Book Chapters
Krisht AF, Yoo K. “Etiology and Classification of Cavernous-Carotid Fistulas.” The Cavernous Sinus. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
Posters
Tominaga, GT, Dandan IS, Coufal F, Yoo K, Schaffer K, Simon, Jr, FJ, Eastman, AB “Decompressive Craniectomy for Severe Brain Injury: Lessons Learned.” Annual American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Sept. 2008, Maui, HW.
Ozgur BM, Aryan HE, Yoo K, Taylor WR. “Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Repair via an Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Technique (XLIF).” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2005.
Yoo K, Shownkeen H, Origitano T.C. “Pediatric Congenital Vertebral Artery Fistula treated successfully with Endovascular Techniques.” 12th Annual Meeting of North American Skull Base Society, Mar. 2001, Orlando, FL.
Yoo K, Shownkeen H, Origitano T.C. “Successful treatment of Carotid Artery Stenosis with Shape-Memory-Alloy-Recoverable-Technology Stents.” Cardiovascular Section, 2001, Hawaii.
Yoo K, Shownkeen H, Origitano T.C. “Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: Multiple Routes in Endovascular Treatment.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2000, San Antonio, TX and Cardiovascular Section, 2001, Hawaii.
Yoo K, Shownkeen H, Origitano T.C. “Endovascular Treatment of Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus Dural AVMs presenting as Pulsatile Tinnitus.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2000, San Antonio, TX and Cardiovascular Section, 2001, Hawaii.
Nockels R, Yoo K, Leppla D, Rauzzino M. “Rigid Stabilization of the Cervicothoracic Region with Combined Lateral Mass and Hook Rod Implants.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2000, San Antonio, TX.
Shownkeen H, Yoo K, Origitano T.C. Three topics presented on Balloon, Embolization, and Coil Treatment. Interventional Neuroradiology Peer Review Conference, 2000, Jackson Hole, WY.
Yoo K, Jellish WS, Murdoch, J, Leonetti J, Fluder E, Corsino A, “Peripheral Nerve Injury associated with Skull Base Surgery.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2000, San Francisco, CA.
Yoo K, Jellish WS, Brody M, Shea J, Slogoff M, Origitano TC. “The Effect Epidural Clonidine and/or SQ Bupivicaine have on Postoperative Outcomes after Lower Back Surgery using Spinal Anesthesia.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2000, San Francisco, CA.
Yoo K, Jellish WS, Leonetti J, Fluder E, Corsino A, Origitano TC. “Perioperative Comparisons of the Lateral vs. Classic Approach to the Skull Base.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2000, San Francisco, CA.
Krisht AF, Yoo K, Arnautovic KI, Al-Mefty O. “Canine Cavernous Sinus Tumor Model.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1996, Minneapolis, MN.
Yoo K, Krisht AF, Wallace B, Arnautovic KI, Al-Mefty O. “The Use of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy with [111Indium-labeled DTPA-D-Phe1]-Octreotide for Preoperative Diagnosis of Brain Tumors.” Student Research Day, 1995, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR.
Yoo K, Krisht AF, Wallace B, Arnautovic KI, Al-Mefty O. “The Use of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy with [111Indium-labeled DTPA-D-Phe1]-Octreotide for Postoperative follow-up of Meningiomas.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 1995, San Francisco, CA.
Yoo K, Krisht AF, Wallace B, Arnautovic KI, Al-Mefty O. “The Use of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy with [111Indium-labeled DTPA-D-Phe1]-Octreotide for Preoperative Diagnosis of Brain Tumors.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 1995, San Francisco, CA.
Arnautovic KI, Borba L, Pait TG, Al-Mefty O, Krisht AF, Yoo K. “The Vertebral Artery; Microsurgical Anatomy of Occipito-C1/C2 Segment.” 4th International Workshop on Cerebrovascular Surgery, 1995.
Krisht AF, Bulent C, Arnautovic KI, Yoo K. Al-Mefty O. “Giant Invasive Pituitary Adenomas.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1995.
Krisht AF, Barrow D, Al-Mefty O, Yoo K. “The Microanatomic Features of the Clinoidal Cone.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1995.
Krisht AF, Barrow D, Al-Mefty O, Shengalaia G, Yoo K. “The Microsurgical Anatomy of a Basilar Artery Perforator Free Zone.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1995.
Oral Presentations
Yoo K: “Advances in Neurosurgical Trauma.” 7th Annual Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference, March 2012, La Jolla, CA.
Yoo K: “Stand-Alone Single Level Trans-Psoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion.” 1st Triennial World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques, June 2008, Honolulu, HW.
Yoo K, Coufal F, Leary S: “Cervical Disc Arthroplasty In Conjunction With Cervical Fusion.” 1st Triennial World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques, June 2008, Honolulu, HW.
Yoo K, Shownkeen H, Chenelle AG, Origitano TC: “Stenting of Carotid Artery Stenosis using Shape-Memory-Alloy-Recoverable-Technology Stents.” 12th Annual Meeting of North American Skull Base Society, Mar. 2001, Orlando, FL.
Shownkeen H, Yoo K, Hopkins LN, Anderson D, Origitano TC: “Stenting of Parent Vessels and in Failed Balloon Assisted (Remodeling) Technique in Patients with Aneurysm Regrowth.” 12th Annual Meeting of North American Skull Base Society, Mar. 2001, Orlando, FL.
Yoo K, Davies DL, Krisht AF, Al-Mefty O: “Inhibition of Proliferation of Meningiomas with a Somatostatin Analog.” 3rd International Skull Base Congress, Mar. 1997, Little Rock, AR.
Yoo K, Davies DL, Krisht AF, Al-Mefty O: “Successful Subcutaneous Nude Mice Implantation of Cultured Meningioma Cells.” 3rd International Skull Base Congress, Mar. 1997, Little Rock, AR.
Krisht AF, Yoo K Al-Mefty O, Davies DL: “Use of OctreoScan for Pre- and Postoperative Detection of Skull Base Meningiomas.” 3rd International Skull Base Congress, Mar. 1997, Little Rock, AR.
Yoo K, Davies DL, Krisht AF, Al-Mefty O: “Inhibition of Proliferation of Meningiomas with a Somatostatin Analog.” 2nd International Skull Base Congress, Jun. 1996, San Diego, CA.
Yoo K, Davies DL, Krisht AF, Al-Mefty O: “Successful Subcutaneous Nude Mice Implantation of Cultured Meningioma Cells.” 2nd International Skull Base Congress, Jun. 1996, San Diego, CA.
Yoo K, Krisht AF, Al-Mefty O, Davies DL: “Use of OctreoScan for Pre- and Postoperative Detection of Skull Base Meningiomas.” 2nd International Skull Base Congress, Jun. 1996, San Diego, CA.
Krisht AF, Yoo K, Arnautovic KI, Al-Mefty O: “Canine Cavernous Sinus Tumor Model.” 2nd International Skull Base Congress, Jun. 1996, San Diego, CA.
Yoo K, Krisht AF, Wallace B, Arnautovic KI, Al-Mefty O: “Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with [111Indium-labeled DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide: diagnosing, localizing, and determining the extent of resection of meningiomas.” Southern Neurosurgical Meeting, Mar. 1996, Miami, FL.
Research Experience
The RESCUEicp Study: Randomized Evaluation of Surgery with Craniecomty for Uncontrollable Elevation of Intra-Cranial Pressure
o Prinicipal Investigator at the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla site for an International Study based in Oxford, England
o Currently undergoing and enrolling patients till end of 2009
o Sub-Investigators: Frank Coufal, M.D., Gail Tominaga, M.D., Fred Simon, M.D.
The use of Octreoscan as a diagnostic tool for intracranial Neoplasms
o Co-Principal Investigator in evaluating the role of OctreoScan, a nuclear scan based on a somatostatin analog, in preoperative diagnosis and localization and postoperative follow-up of patients with meningiomas and other intracranial neoplasms.
o Location: Department of Neurosurgery; University or Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital, John L. McClellan Veterans Administration Hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
o Other Investigators: Ali Krisht, M.D. (P.I.), Oassama Al-Mefty, M.D., F.A.C.S., W. Bruce Cherny, M.D.
Hormonal and Radiotherapeutic treatment of Meningiomas
o Co-Principal Investigator in growing meningioma cell cultures, establishing nude mouse meningioma animal model, and determining therapeutic potential of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs for meningiomas.
o Location: Laboratory of Skull Base Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
o Other Investigators: Ali Krisht, M.D. (P.I.), David L. Davies, Ph.D. (Department of Anatomy), Ossama Al-Mefty, M.D., F.A.C.S., Mingzhong Zheng, M.D.
A skull base tumor model in the canine
o Co-Principal Investigator in establishing a skull base brain tumor model in dogs by implanting tumor cells in the roof of the cavernous sinus and to study the effect of immunosuppression on the rate of tumor growth.
o Location: Laboratory of cerebrovascular and neurosurgery studies, Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine and Division Laboratory and Animal Medicine & Laboratory of Skull Base Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
o Other Investigators: Ali F. Krisht, M.D. (P.I.), Kenan Arnautovic, M.D., OSSAMA Al-Mefty, M.D., F.AC.S.
Awards and Honors
High School: The Westminster Schools (1980 -1984): graduated summa cum laude and with distinctions.
College: University of North Carolina (1984 -1988): John Motley Morehead Scholar; Dean’s Honor List; Member of the UNC Honors Program and the North Carolina Fellows Program.
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine (1988 -1990, 1991 – 1993): Awarded Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship 1989.