Tracy Ma Flanders, MD, MSCE
Areas of expertise: Complex spine, congenital brain and spine malformations, Fetal evaluation and treatment, Hydrocephalus, Quality improvement, Spinal dysraphsim
Locations: Main Building
About Tracy Ma Flanders, MD, MSCE
Dr. Tracy Ma Flanders, MD, MSCE, is an attending neurosurgeon in the Division of Neurosurgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Clinical Instructor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
Dr. Flanders received her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology (Certificate in Neuroscience) at Princeton University. She received her medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania under the tutelage of Dr. M. Sean Grady, during which she received the Resident Mentoring Award as well as a T-32 grant to obtain a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, after which, she was recruited to join the faculty as the Co-Director of Prenatal and Neonatal Neurosurgery.
She has published broadly and has lectured nationally and internationally on neonatal hydrocephalus as well as spinal dysraphism. She has received several grants for the study and treatment of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus and neonatal hydrocephalus. Dr. Flanders works closely with the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) to provide prenatal counseling for congenital malformations of the brain and spine. She is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), Women in Neurosurgery (WINS), and International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN).
Titles
Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Clinical Instructor, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Awards and Honors
2023, Future Women Leaders in Neurosurgery Scholarship Winner, CNS Foundation
2021, Neurosurgery Resident Mentor Award, University of Pennsylvania
2020, Good Catch Quality and Safety Award, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania
2019, Third place Abstract in 2019 Annual Congress of Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Medicine
2018, Resident Award for Research Presentation, 30th Annual Pan Philadelphia Neurosurgery Conference
2018, Third place Electronic Poster in the Spine Category in 2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting
2018, Pennsylvania Hospital 2017 Quality & Patient Safety Honorable Mention: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
2012, Anthony J. Grieco Medicine Clerkship Award for Outstanding Essay in Creative Arts, NYU School of Medicine’s
2008, National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Neurological Disorders & Stroke) Summer Internship Program Exceptional Summer Student Award
2008, Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Princeton University’s Department of German Language and Literature
Leadership and Memberships
Memberships in Professional Organizations
International
International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery
National
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- 2019-present, Communications Subcommittee of Pediatric Section
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Women in Neurosurgery
Education & training
Graduate Degree
MSCE - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Medical Degree
MD - New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
Publications
Publications
2023
Karuparti S, Flanders TM, Dunbar A, Varagur K, Strahle JM. 2023. Head growth in patients with MMC treated with prenatal and postnatal surgery. J Neurosurg Pediatr. Accepted.
Punchak MA, Bond KM, Wathen CA, Hollawell ML, Zhao C, Sarris C, Flanders TM, Madsen PJ, Tucker AM, Heuer GG. A machine learning algorithm to predict development of symptomatic tethred cord after initial untethering surgery. J Neurosurg Pediatr. Accepted.
Lang SS, Kumar NK, Zhao C, Rahman R, Flanders TM, Heuer GG, Huh WJ. 2023. Intracranial pressure and brain tissue oxygen multimodality neuromonitoring in gunshot wounds to the head in children. World Neurosurg. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37479026.
Coyle AM, Graves EKM, Lang SS, Kennedy BC, Flanders TM, Tucker AM, Storm PB, Cahill AM, Pukenas BA, Madsen PJ. 2023. Middle meningeal artery embolization in the management of subdural hematoma in medically complex pediatric neurosurgical patients: Technical note. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 32(5): 617-622. PMID: 37657116.
Punchak MA, Sarris C, Xu E, Flanders TM, Lang SS, Taylor JA, Heuer GG. 2023. Craniosynostosis in primary metabolic bone disorders: A 10-year single institution experience. Child’s Nerv Syst. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37420034.
Lang SS, Rahman R, Kumar N, Tucker A, Flanders TM, Kirschen M, Huh JW. 2023. Invasive modalities in the pediatric population. Neurocrit Care. 38(2):470-485. PMID: 36890340.
Ng JJ, Blum JD, Cho DY, Cheung LC, Romeo DJ, Low DW, Taylor JA, Heuer GG, Swanson JW, Flanders TM. 2023. Spinal pseudomeningocele closure: Capsulofascial interposition technique. Childs Nerv Syst. 39(4): 1045-1049. PMID: 36790495.
2022
Flanders TM, Franco AJ, Lincul KL, Pierce SR, Oliver ER, Moldenhauer JS, Adzick NS, Heuer GG. 2022. Tethered cord release in patients after open fetal myelomeningocele closure: Intraoperative neuromonitoring data and patient outcomes. Childs Nerv Syst. 39(3): 663-670. PMID: 36380051.
2021
Flanders TM, Lang SS, Ko TS, Andersen KN, Jahnavi J, Flibotte JJ, Licht DJ, Tasian GE, Sotardi ST, Yodh AG, Lynch JM, Kennedy BC, Storm PB, White BR, Heuer GG, Baker WB. 2021. Optical detection of intracranial pressure and perfusion changes in neonates with hydrocephalus. J Pediatr. Ebpub ahead of print. PMID:34004191.
2020
Flanders TM, Heuer GG, Adzick NS. 2020. In Reply: Detailed analysis of hydrocephalus and hindbrain herniation after prenatal and postnatal myelomeningocele closure: Report from a single institution. Neurosurgery. 87(6):E728. PMID: 34791464.
Ifrach J, Basu R, Joshi DS, Flanders TM, Ozturk AK, Malhotra NR, Pessoa R, Kallan MJ, Maloney E, Welch WC, Ali, ZS. 2020. Efficacy of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway in elderly patients undergoing spine and peripheral nerve surgery. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 197:106115. PMID: 32841823.
Flanders TM, Ifrach J, Sinha S, Joshi DS, Ozturk AK, Malhotra NR, Pessoa R, Kallan MJ, Fleisher LA, Ashburn MA, Maloney E, Welch WC, Ali ZS. 2020. Reduction of postoperative opioid use after elective spine and peripheral nerve surgery using an enhanced recovery after surgery program. Pain Med. 21(12):3283-3291. PMID: 32761129.
Flanders TM, Kimmel AC, Lang SS, Bellah R, Chuo J, Wellons JC 3rd, Flibotte JJ, Heuer GG. 2020. Standardizing treatment of preterm infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus at a single institution with a multidisciplinary team. Childs Nerv Syst. (Epub ahead of print). PMID: 31953576.
Flanders TM, Franco AJ, Lott C, Anari JB, Cahill PJ, Storm PB, Heuer GG. 2020. Prophylactic decompression for cervical stenosis in Jeune’s syndrome: Report from a single institution. Spine. PMID: 32539291.
2019
Flanders TM, Franco AJ, Hines SJ, Taylor JA, Heuer GG. 2019. Neonatal intraoperative neuromonitoring in thoracic myelocystocele: A case report. Child Nerv Syst. (Epub ahead of print). PMID: 31709490.
Weiss DA, Lee AS, Flanders TM, Long CJ, van Batavia JP, Zderic SA, Heuer GG. 2019. Neurological dysfunction of the bladder from myelomeningocele. J Neurosurg. (Accepted).
Heye P, Su YRS, Flanders TM, Storm PB, Heuer GG, Laje P. 2019. Laparoscopy assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in children. J Pediatr Surg. (Epub ahead of print). PMID: 31718873.
Flanders TM, Heuer GG, Madsen PJ, Buch VP, Mackell CM, Alexander EE, Moldenhauer JS, Zarnow DM, Flake AW, Adzick NS. 2019. Detailed analysis of hydrocephalus and hindbrain herniation after prenatal and postnatal myelomeningocele closure: Report from a single institution. Neurosurgery. (Epub ahead of print). PMID: 31432079.
Foss S, Flanders TM, Heuer GG, Schreiber JE. 2019. Neurobehavioral outcomes in patients with myelomeningocele. Neurosurg Focus. 47(4):E6. PMID: 31574480.
Flanders TM, Madsen PJ, Pisapia JM, Hudgins ED, Mackell CM, Alexander EE, Moldenhauer JS, Zarnow DM, Flake AW, Adzick NS, Heuer GG. Improved post-operative metrics with modified myofascial closure in fetal myelomeningocele repair. Oper Neurosurg. 18(2):158-165.PMID: 31222267.
Glauser G, Flanders TM, Choudhri O. 2019. Microsurgical treatment of tentorial dural fistulas causing thalamic venous hypertension: Two illustrative sister cases. Neurosurg Focus. 46(S2):V13. PMID: 30939438.
Heuer GG, Madsen PJ, Flanders TM, Kennedy BC, Storm PB, Taylor JA. 2019. Separation of craniopagus twins by a multidisciplinary team. N Engl J Med. 380(4):358-364. PMID: 30673542
2018
Ali ZS, Flanders TM, Ozturk A, Malhotra NR, Leszinsky L, McShane BJ, Gardiner D, Rupich K, Chen HI, Schuster J, Marcotte PJ, Kallan MJ, Grady MS, Fleischer LA, Welch WC. 2018. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in elective spinal and peripheral nerve surgery: Pilot study from a single institution. J Neurosurg Spine. PMID: 30684933.
Al-Holou WN, Wilson TJ, Ali ZS, Brennan RP, Bridges KJ, Guivatchian T, Habboub G, Krishnaney AA, Lanzino G, Snyder KA, Flanders TM, Than KD, Pandey AS. 2018. Gastrostomy tube placement increases the risk of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection: A multiinstitutional study. J Neurosurg. PMID: 30497165.
Flanders TM, Blue R, Roberts S, McShane B, Wilent B, Tambi V, Petrov D, Lee JYK. 2018. Fully endoscopic microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm. J Neurosurg. PMID: 30497190.
Flanders TM, Billinghurst L, Flibotte J, Heuer GG. 2018. Neonatal hydrocephalus. NeoReviews. 19(8): 1-11.
Ali ZS, Ma T, Ozturk AK, Malhotra R, Schuster JM, Marcotte PJ, Grady MS, Welch WC. 2017. Pre-optimization of spinal surgery patients: Development of a neurosurgical Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 164:142-153. PMID: 29232645.
2017
Ma TS, Sharma N, Grady MS. 2017. A simplified pressure adjustment clinical pathway for programmable valves in NPH patients. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 159:83-86. PMID: 28582688.
Katz JS, Frankel H, Ma T, Zagzag D, Liechty B, Zeev BB, Tzadok M, Devinsky O, Weiner HL, Roth J. 2017. Unique findings of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma within cortical tubers in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex: A histopathology evaluation. Childs Nerv Syst. 33(4):601-607. PMID: 28074282.
2016
Torvund MM, Ma TS, Connaughton VP, Ono F, Nelson RF. 2016. Cone signals in the monostratified and bistratified amacrine cells of adult zebrafish retina. J Comp Neurol. 525(7):1532-1557. PMID: 27570913.
Engler J, Bassani L, Ma T, Tanweer O, Elliott R, Harter D, Wisoff J. 2016. Open and endoscopic excision of calvarial dermoid and epidermoid cysts: A single center experience on 128 consecutive cases. Childs Nerv Syst. 32(12):2351-2356. PMID: 27550433.
Macyszyn L, Attiah M, Ma TS, Ali Z, Faught R, Hossain A, Man K, Patel H, Sobota R, Zager EL, Stein SC. 2016. Direct versus indirect revascularization procedures for Moyamoya disease: A comparative effectiveness study. J Neurosurg. 29:1-7. PMID: 27471892.
Ali ZS, Pisapia JM, Ma TS, Zager EL, Heuer GG, Khoury V. 2016 Ultrasound evaluation of peripheral nerves. World Neurosurg. 85:333-339. PMID: 26463397.
2015
Fallah A, Rodgers SD, Weil AG, Vadera S, Mansouri A, Connolly MB, Major P, Ma T, Devinsky O, Weiner HL, Gonzalez-Martinez JA, Bingaman WE, Najm I, Gupta A, Ragheb J, Bhatia S, Steinbok P, Witiw CD, Widjaja E, Snead OC, Rutka JT. 2015. Resective epilepsy surgery for tuberous sclerosis in children: Determining predictors of seizure outcomes in a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Neurosurgery. 77(4): 517-524. PMID: 26120800.
2014
Elliott RE, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. 2014. Atlantoaxial fusion with screw-rod constructs: Meta-analysis and review of literature. World Neurosurg. 81(2): 411-421. PMID: 22469526.
Elliott RE, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. 2014. Outcome comparison of atlantoaxial fusion with transarticular screws and screw-rod constructs: Meta-analysis and review of literature. J Spinal Disord Tech. 27(1): 11-28. PMID: 23128387.
2013
Elliott RE, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. 2013. Atlantoaxial fusion with transarticular screws: Meta-analysis and review of the literature. World Neurosurg. 80(5): 627-641. PMID: 22469527.
Elliott RE, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. 2013. Is external cervical orthotic bracing necessary after posterior atlantoaxial instrumentation with modern instrumentation: Meta-analysis and review of literature. World Neurosurg. 79(2): 369-374. PMID: 22484066.
2012
Elliott RE, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. 2012. Comparison of screw malposition and vertebral artery injury of C2 pedicle and transarticular screws: Meta-analysis and review of the literature. J Spinal Disord Tech. 27(6): 305-315. PMID: 22614268.
Ma T, Elliott R, Rupee V, Devinsky O, Kuzniecky R, Weiner HL, Carlson C. 2012. Electrocorticographic evidence of perituberal cortex epileptogenicity in tuberous sclerosis complex. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 10(5): 376-382. PMID: 22998031.
Roth J, Olasunkanmi A, Ma TS, Carlson C, Devinsky O, Harter DH, Weiner HL. 2012. Epilepsy control following intracranial monitoring without resection in young children. Epilepsia. 53(2): 334-341. PMID: 22242686.
Ma T, Rubin B, Grobelny B, Zagzag D, Koslow M, Mikolaenko I, Elliott RE. 2012. Acute paraplegia with hemorrhagic paraganglioma of filum terminale: Case report and review of literature. Internet Journal of Neurosurgery. 8(1).
2011
Ma T, Elliott R, Rubin B, Grobelny B, Mikolaenko I, Zagzag D, Harter D. 2011. Management of trapped fourth ventricle in a patient with cerebral and spinal neurocysticercosis. Internet Journal of Neurosurgery. 7(2).
2010
Ma T. 2010. Senior thesis: Glioblastoma multiforme: miRNA in brain tumor stem cell tumorigenesis. Princeton University.
2006
McLaughlin P, Zhou Y, Ma T, Liu J, Zhang W, Hong JS, Kovacs M, Zhang J. 2006. Proteomic analysis of microglial contribution to mouse strain-dependent dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Glia. 53(6): 567-582. PMID: 16419087.
Abstracts (includes Posters and Scientific Presentations)
2022
Lang SS, Gajjar AA, Patel Y, Sharma S, Ellen J, Tucker A, Heuer G, Kennedy B, Flanders T, Madsen P, Storm PB, Zhao C, Huh JW. 2022. Risk factors for seizure as a presenting sign in patients with shunt malfunctions. AANS Annual Meeting (ePoster); Philadelphia, PA.
2021
Flanders TM (presenter), Franco AJ, Lehmann K, Agbodza EA, Taylor JA, Moldenhauer JS, Adzick NS, Heuer GG. 2021. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in tethered cord release of fetal myelomeningocele closure patients. AANS/CNS Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery Annual Meeting (oral presentation); Salt Lake City, UT.
Flanders TM (presenter), Lang SS, Ko T, Anderson K, Jahnavi J, Flibotte J, Licht D, Tasian G, Sotardi S, Yodh A, Lynch J, Kennedy B, Storm P, White B, Heuer G, Baker W. 2021. Intracranial pressure and perfusion changes with diffuse optical measurements in neonatal hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus Society Annual Meeting (oral presentation); Virtual Meeting.
2020
Flanders TM (presenter), Lang SS, Andersen KN, Flibotte JJ, Licht DJ, Lehmann K, Tasian GE, Su YS, Kennedy BC, Storm PB, Heuer GG, Baker WB. 2020. Non-invasive, bedside measurements of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative neurophysiology in neonatal hydrocephalus. AANS/CNS Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery Annual Meeting (oral presentation); Virtual Meeting.
2019
Flanders TM (presenter), Baker WB, Flibotte JJ, Licht DJ, Linn KA, Tasian GE, Su YS, Brimley CJ, Kennedy BC, Storm PB, Lang SS, Heuer GG. 2019. Validation of non-invasive, bedside measurements of intracranial pressure in neonatal hydrocephalus. AANS/CNS Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery Annual Meeting (oral presentation); Scottsdale, AZ.
Flanders TM, Joshi DS, Maloney E, Pessoa R, Rupich K, Kallan MJ, Ozturk AK, Malhotra NR, Marcotte PJ, Grady MS, Welch WC, Ali ZS. 2019. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) reduces opioid postoperative opioid use in diabetic patients undergoing spinal surgery. CNS Annual Meeting (poster); Boston, MA.
Flanders TM (presenter), Baker WB, Flibotte JJ, Licht DJ, Linn KA, Tasian GE, Su YS, Kennedy BC, Storm PB, Lang S, Heuer GG. 2019. Changes in intracranial pressure in neonatal hydrocephalus as measured by diffuse correlation spectroscopy. ISPN 47th Annual Meeting (Flash Presentation); Birmingham, UK.
Flanders TM (presenter), Kimmel AC, Lang S, Bellah RD, Chuo J, Wellons JC, Flibotte JJ, Heuer GG. 2019. Standardized treatment of preterm infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus at a single institution. ISPN 47th Annual Meeting (poster); Birmingham, UK.
Joshi D, Sullivan PZ, Flanders TM, Maloney E, Yu C, Pessoa R, Rupich K, Kallan MJ, Ozturk A, Malhotra NR, Marcotte PJ, Grady MS, Welch WC, Ali ZA. 2019. Efficacy of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. 2019 Annual Congress of Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Medicine; Washington, DC.
Joshi D, Sullivan PZ, Flanders TM, Maloney E, Pessoa R, Rupich K, Kallan MJ, Ozturk AK, Malhotra NR, Marcotte PJ, Grady MS, Welch WC, Ali ZA. 2019. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) reduces length of stay and postoperative opioid use in patients with mental health disorders undergoing spinal surgery. 2019 Annual Congress of Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Medicine; Washington, DC.
Flanders TM, Ozturk AK, Malhotra NR, Leszinsky LE, McShane BJ, Rupich KL, Joshi DS, Kallan MJ, Fleisher LA, Ashburn MA, Welch WC, Ali ZS. 2019. Multimodal pain management within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery. AANS Annual Meeting (E-poster); San Diego, CA.
Lectures by Invitation
2002
Flanders TM (presenter). 2022. Fetal Firesides: Myelomeningocele. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Virtual Meeting.
Flanders TM (presenter). 2022. Neurosurgery NICU patient. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia NICU Surgical Education Day; Philadelphia, PA.
Flanders TM (presenter). 2022. Closed spina bifida. AANS/CNS Section on Pediatric Neurological Surgery Educational Lecture; Virtual Meeting.
2021
Flanders TM (presenter). 2021. Spina bifida overview. Spina Bifida Multidisciplinary Meeting. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Philadelphia, PA.
2019
Flanders TM (presenter). 2019. Water problems: Neonatal hydrocephalus (Grand Rounds). University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA.
Books
Ma TS. When the Moon Turns Away. New York, NY: iUniverse, Inc., 2005.
Editorials, Reviews, Chapters
2018
Ma TS, Ramchand P, Schlichter RA, Brem S. 2018. Tumors of the Lateral Ventricle and the Pineal Region. In Kumar M, Levin J, Schuster J, Kofke A (Eds.), Neurocritical Care Management of the Neurosurgical Patient (pp. 177-186). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
2017
Ali ZS, Ma TS, Yan CH, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Grady MS. 2017. Traumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistulas. In Winn HR (Ed.), Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery (pp. 2980-2987). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
2016
Ali ZS, Pisapia JM, Ma TS, Zager EL, Heuer GG, Khoury V. 2016. Ultrasound Evaluation of Peripheral Nerves and Brachial Plexus. In Mahapatra AK, Midha R, Sinha S (Eds.), Surgery of Brachial Plexus (pp.55-65). Delhi: Thieme.