Alexander Tucker, MD
Alexander Tucker, MD

Alexander Tucker, MD

Alexander Tucker, MD, is an Attending Neurosurgeon in the Division of Neurosurgery, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director of Neurosurgery Spine and Co-Director of CHOP Chiari Clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Locations: Main Building, Emergency Department, King of Prussia


215-590-2780

About Alexander Tucker, MD

Alexander Tucker, MD is an attending physician in the Division of Neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Tucker specializes in the treatment of a broad range of pediatric neurosurgical conditions including brain tumors, hydrocephalus, baclofen pump insertion for the treatment of spasticity, Chiari malformation, craniosynostosis, Skeletal Dysplasia and other spinal disorders including scoliosis, and complex spinal fusion as well as craniofacial procedures.

Dr. Tucker received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He completed residency in neurosurgery at the University of California-Los Angeles and then went on to complete fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Tucker is passionate about the care of children and working as part of the team of world-class doctors, nurses and scientists at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He specializes in the treatment of Chiari Malformation. To inquire about scheduling an appointment in the CHOP Chiari Clinic contact 215-590-2780. 

Titles

Attending Neurosurgeon

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Director of Neurosurgery Spine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Co-Director of CHOP Chiari Clinic at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Awards and Honors
  • 2024 - DCED Manufacturing Innovation Awards
  • 2022 - Selected as a STAT Wunderkind
  • 2016 - Excellence in Teaching with Humanism Award
  • 2015 - UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute Award
  • 2013 - Mimi and Harold Steinberg Award
  • 2012 - Elected member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society
  • 2006 - Maggie Fletcher-Berg Bursary Scholarship
  • 2005 - George Drake '56 Award
  • 2005 - Graduated from Grinnell College with Honors
  • 2001 - 2004 - Elected member of Midwest Conference Academic All-Conference Team

Leadership and Memberships
  • 2012-present, American Association of Neurological Surgeons
  • 2012-present, Congress of Neurological Surgeons
  • 2010-present, Western Neurosurgical Society
  • 2012-present, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society
  • 2008-present, American Medical Association

Research Interests

Dr. Tucker's research interests include wound closure devices and innovative adhesives to promote painless, comfortable and flexible healing of wound sites. This includes cranial distractor research and the use of hydrogels would closure and healing. Other research interests include the exploration of new ways to use biomaterials to create osteogenic scaffolds in bone healing.

Education & training

Medical Degree

MD - University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA

Residency

Neurosurgery - University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Fellowship

Neurosurgery - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Team affiliations

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Publications

Publications

2023

Tucker, A.M., Madsen, P.J., Lang, S.S. and Storm, P.B., 2023. Technical note: Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation and severe subaxial cervical distraction injury in an infant. Spinal Cord Series and Cases, Accepted.

Punchak M.A., Bond K.M., Wathen C.A., Hollawell M.L., Zhao C., Sarris C., Flanders T.M., Madsen P.J., Tucker A.M. and Heuer G.G., 2023. A Machine Learning Algorithm to Predict Development of Symptomatic Tethered Cord After Initial Untethering Surgery. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Accepted.

Lang, S.S., Kumar, N., Rahman, R., Kilbaugh, T., Tucker, A.M., Flanders, T., Heuer, G.G., Storm, P.B., Zhao, C., Huh, J., 2023. Near Infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Accepted.

Coyle, A.M., Graves, E.K., Lang, S.S., Kennedy, B.C., Flanders, T.M., Tucker, A.M., Storm, P.B., Cahill, A.M., Pukenas, B.A. and Madsen, P.J., 2023. Middle meningeal artery embolization in the management of chronic subdural hematoma in medically complex pediatric neurosurgical patients. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 1(aop), pp.1-6.

Madsen, P.J., Hollawell, M.L., Santi, M., Surrey, L.F., Vossough, A., Orr, B.A., Hill-Kayser, C., Tucker, A.M., Storm, P.B. and Foster, J.B., 2023. Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor in a child masquerading as an intramedullary spinal pilocytic astrocytoma. Neuro- Oncology Advances, 5(1), p.vdad049.

Gubbiotti, M.A., Madsen, P.J., Tucker, A.M., Abdullaev, Z., Aldape, K., Shekdar, K., Yang, A., Minturn, J.E., Santi, M. and Viaene, A.N., 2023. ZFTA-fused supratentorial ependymoma with a novel fusion partner, DUX4.Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, 82(7), pp.668-671.

Lang, S.S., Rahman, R., Kumar, N., Tucker, A., Flanders, T.M., Kirschen, M. and Huh, J.W., 2023. Invasive Neuromonitoring Modalities in the Pediatric Population.Neurocritical care, 38(2), pp.470-485.

Mazandi, V.M., Lang, S.S., Rahman, R.K., Nishisaki, A., Beaulieu, F., Zhang, B., Griffis, H., Tucker, A.M., Storm, P.B., Heuer, G.G. and Gajjar, A.A., 2023. Co-administration of Ketamine in Pediatric Patients with Neurologic Conditions at Risk for Intracranial Hypertension. Neurocritical care, 38(2), pp.242-253.

Fainberg, N.A., Silver, M.R., Arena, J.D., Landzberg, E.I., Banwell, B., Gambrah-Lyles, C., Kirschen, M.P., Madsen, P.J., McLendon, L., Narula, S. and Tucker, A.M., 2023. Invasive Multimodality Neuromonitoring to Manage Cerebral Edema in Pediatric Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease. Critical Care Explorations, 5(11), p.e1003.

McLendon, L.A., Gambrah-Lyles, C., Viaene, A., Fainberg, N.A., Landzberg, E.I., Tucker, A.M., Madsen, P.J., Huh, J., Silver, M.R., Arena, J.D. and Kienzle, M.F., 2023. Dramatic response to anti-IL-6 receptor therapy in children with life-threatening myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease. Neurology-Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation, 10(6).

Tucker, A.M., Madsen, P.J., Rahman, R.K., Lang, S.S. and Storm, P.B., 2023. Transdiscal Instrumentation in Single-Level Lumbosacral Fusion for High-Grade Isthmic Pediatric Spondylolisthesis: technical note and review of the literature. Neurochirurgie, p.101416.

Villavisanis, D.F., Cho, D.Y., Zhao, C., Wagner, C.S., Blum, J.D., Shakir, S., Swanson, J.W., Bartlett, S.P., Tucker, A.M. and Taylor, J.A., 2023. Spring forces and calvarial thickness predict cephalic index changes following spring-mediated cranioplasty for sagittal craniosynostosis. Child's Nervous System, 39(3), pp.701-709.

2022

Tucker, A.M., Madsen, P.J., Coyle, A.M., King, H., Zahner, C., Lang, S.S., Taylor, J.A. and Heuer, G.G., 2022. Preprocedural Electrophysiological Monitoring in Craniofacial Surgery for a Patient with Chiari Malformation. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, p.10556656221135284.

Rahman, R.K., Tomlinson, S.B., Katz, J., Galligan, K., Madsen, P.J., Tucker, A.M., Kessler, S.K. and Kennedy, B.C., 2022. Stereoelectroencephalography before 2 years of age. Neurosurgical Focus, 53(4), p.E3.

Phillips, H.W., Chen, J.S., Tucker, A.M., Ding, K., Kashanian, A., Nagahama, Y., Mathern, G.W., Weil, A.G. and Fallah, A., 2022. Preliminary Experience Suggests the Addition of Choroid Plexus Cauterization to Functional Hemispherectomy May Reduce Posthemispherectomy Hydrocephalus. Neurosurgery, pp.10-1227.

Punchak, M.A., Hollawell, M.L., Viaene, A.N., Cahill, A.M., Storm, P.B., Madsen, P.J. and Tucker, A.M., 2022. Large scalp venous malformation in a pediatric patient managed with sclerotherapy and surgery: a case report and review of literature. Child's Nervous System, pp.1- 5.

Villavisanis, D.F., Shakir, S., Zhao, C., Cho, D.Y., Barrero, C., Blum, J.D., Swanson, J.W., Bartlett, S.P., Tucker, A.M. and Taylor, J.A., 2022. Predicting Changes in Cephalic Index Following Spring-mediated Cranioplasty for Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis: A Stepwise and Machine Learning Algorithm Approach. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, pp.10- 1097.

Lang, S.S., Kumar, N.K., Zhao, C., Zhang, D.Y., Tucker, A.M., Storm, P.B., Heuer, G.G., Gajjar, A.A., Kim, C.T., Yuan, I., Sotardi, S., Kilbaugh, T.J. and Huh, J.W., 2022. Invasive brain tissue oxygen and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring versus ICP-only monitoring in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 1(aop), pp.1-11.

Chen, M., Wu, Y., Chen, B., Tucker, A.M., Jagota, A. and Yang, S., 2022. Fast, strong, and reversible adhesives with dynamic covalent bonds for potential use in wound dressing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (In Press).

Fischer, K.M., Madsen, P.J., Tucker, A.M. and Long, C.J., 2022. Thoracic spinal arachnoid cyst in a pediatric patient presenting with isolated bladder and bowel incontinence. Urology Case Reports, p.102129.

Madsen, P.J., Rahman, R.K., Patel, Y.A., Lang, S.S., Storm, P.B. and Tucker, A.M., 2022. Surgical management and outcomes of intracranial metastatic Wilms’ tumor in the pediatric population: a case series. Child's Nervous System, 38(6), pp.1105-1111.

Villavisanis, D.F., Cho, D.Y., Shakir, S., Kalmar, C.L., Wagner, C.S., Cheung, L., Blum, J.D., Lang, S.S., Heuer, G.G., Madsen, P.J., Bartlett, S.P., Swanson, J.W., Taylor, J.A. and Tucker, A.M., 2022. Parietal bone thickness for predicting operative transfusion and blood loss in patients undergoing spring-mediated cranioplasty for nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 29(4), pp.419-426.

Kalmar, C.L., Lang, S.S., Heuer, G.G., Schreiber, J.E., Tucker, A.M., Swanson, J.W. and Beslow, L.A., 2022. Neurocognitive outcomes of children with non-syndromic single-suture craniosynostosis. Child's Nervous System, pp.1-9.

Lang, S.S., Gajjar, A.A., Tucker, A.M., Storm, P.B., Rahman, R.K., Madsen, P.J., O'Brien, A., Chiotos, K., Kilbaugh, T.J. and Huh, J.W., 2022. Urgent Neurosurgical Interventions in the COVID-19–Positive Pediatric Population. World neurosurgery, 158, pp.e196-e205.

Sinha, S., Banwell, B., T ucker , A.M., Storm, P .B., Huh, J. and Lang, S.S., 2022. Hemicraniectomy and externalized ventricular drain placement in a pediatric patient with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated tumefactive demyelinating disease. Child's Nervous System, 38(1), pp.185-189.

2021

Lang, S.S., Kilbaugh, T., Friess, S., Sotardi, S., Kim, C.T., Mazandi, V., Zhang, B., Storm, P.B., Heuer, G.G., Tucker, A. and Ampah, S.B., 2021. Trajectory of long-term outcome in severe pediatric diffuse axonal injury: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, p.704576.

Lang, S.S., Tucker, A.M., Schreiber, C., Storm, P.B., Liu, H., Li, Y., Ichord, R., Beslow, L.A., Sedora-Roman, N.I., Cox, M. and Nasser, H., 2021. Arterial spin labeling as an ancillary assessment to postoperative conventional angiogram in pediatric moyamoya disease. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 29(1), pp.40-47.

Kalmar, C.L., Zapatero, Z.D., Kosyk, M.S., Carlson, A.R., Bartlett, S.P., Heuer, G.G., Tucker, A.M., Taylor, J.A., Lang, S.S. and Swanson, J.W., 2021. Elevated intracranial pressure with craniosynostosis: a multivariate model of age, syndromic status, and number of involved cranial sutures. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 28(6), pp.716-723.

Tucker, A., Kaul, A., Mckee, J., White, B., Kirschen, M.P., Sinha, S. and Lang, S.S., 2021. Surgical Treatment of Upper Extremity Segmental Myoclonus in an Adolescent with Chiari Malformation and Cervicothoracic Syrinx. Pediatric Neurosurgery, pp.1-6.

Lang, S.S., Valeri, A., Storm, P.B., Heuer, G.G., Tucker, A.M., Kennedy, B.C., Kozyak, B.W., Sinha, A., Kilbaugh, T.J. and Huh, J.W., 2021. Acute neurological injury in pediatric patients with single-ventricle congenital heart disease. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 28(3), pp.335-343.

Kalmar, C.L., Swanson, J.W., Shakir, S., Tucker, A.M., Kennedy, B.C., Storm, P.B., Heuer, G.G., Bartlett, S.P., Taylor, J.A. and Lang, S.S., 2021. Removal of cranial springs after spring- mediated cranioplasty. Neurosurgical Focus: Video, 4(2), p.V7.

Kalmar, C.L., Swanson, J.W., Shakir, S., Tucker, A.M., Kennedy, B.C., Storm, P.B., Heuer, G.G., Bartlett, S.P., Taylor, J.A. and Lang, S.S., 2021. Spring-mediated cranioplasty for sagittal craniosynostosis. Neurosurgical Focus: Video, 4(2), p.V6.

 

2020

Romiyo, P., Ding, K., Dejam, D., Franks, A., Ng, E., Preet, K., Tucker, A.M., Niu, T., Nagasawa, D.T., Rahman, S. and Yang, I., 2020. Systematic review and evaluation of predictive modeling algorithms in spinal surgeries. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, p.117184.

DiCesare, J.A., Tucker, A.M., Say, I., Patel, K., Lanman, T.H., Coufal, F.J., Millard, J., Deckey, J.E., Shetgeri, S. and McBride, D.Q., 2020. Mechanical failure of the Mobi-C implant for artificial cervical disc replacement: Report of 4 cases. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, 33(6), pp.727-733.

Bellamkonda, N., Phillips, H.W., Chen, J.S., Tucker, A.M. , Maniquis, C., Mathern, G.W. and Fallah, A., 2020. Epilepsy surgery for Rasmussen encephalitis: the UCLA experience. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 1 (aop), pp.1-9.

2019

Mckay, K., Attiah, M., Niu, T., Nagasawa, D., Patel, K., Gaonkar, B., Van de Wiele, B., Moreland, N., Tucker, A., Churchman, P. and Batzdorf, U., 2019. Clinical and surgical management of holocervical spinal cord ependymomas. Surgical neurology international, 10.

Tucker, A.M. , Morgenstern, P., Diaz, D., Sedighim, S., Shaul, D., Sydorak, R., Fedor, M., Lee, A. and Hauptman, J., 2019. Neurosurgical management of Currarino syndrome: A case series and review of literature. Surgical neurology international, 10.

Attiah, M., Tucker, A.M., Perez-Rosendahl, M., Niu, T., Nagasawa, D.T., Kodrat, E., Martin, N.A. and Nelson, S., 2019. Epithelioid Osteoblastoma of the Temporal Bone: A Case Report. World neurosurgery , 123, pp.378-382.

2018

Tucker, A. , Wallbom, A., Darling, M., Nguyen, D., Everson, R., Terterov, S., Nastasi, A. and Langevin, J.P., 2018. Electrodiagnostic findings in postoperative C5 palsy after cervical laminectomy and fusion. Interdisciplinary neurosurgery , 14, pp.39-41.

Lagman, C., Sheppard, J.P., Beckett, J.S., Tucker, A.M. , Nagasawa, D.T., Prashant, G.N., Ziman, A. and Yang, I., 2018. Red Blood Cell Transfusions Following Resection of Skull Base Meningiomas: Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes. Journal of neurological surgery part b: skull base.

Diaz-Aguilar, D., Terterov, S., Tucker, A.M. , Sedighim, S., Scharnweber, R., Wang, S., Merna, C. and Rahman, S., 2018. Simultaneous cerebrospinal fluid and hematologic metastases in a high-grade ependymoma. Surgical neurology international, 9.

Lagman, C., Nagasawa, D.T., Sheppard, J.P., Chen, C.H.J., Nguyen, T., Prashant, G.N., Niu, T., Tucker, A.M. , Kim, W., Pouratian, N. and Kaldas, F.M., 2018. End-Stage Liver Disease in Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage Is Associated with Increased Mortality: A Cohort Study. World neurosurgery , 113, pp.e320-e327.

Lagman, C., Nagasawa, D.T., Azzam, D., Sheppard, J.P., Chen, C.H.J., Ong, V., Nguyen, T., Prashant, G.N., Niu, T., Tucker, A.M. and Kim, W., 2018. Survival Outcomes After Intracranial Hemorrhage in Liver Disease. Operative neurosurgery, 16(2), pp.138-146.

Chung, L.K., Lagman, C., Duong, C., Nagasawa, D.T., Tucker, A.M. , Yong, W.H. and Yang, I., 2018. Dermoid Cyst of the Prepontine Cistern and Meckel's Cave: Illustrative Case and Systematic Review. Journal of neurological surgery part b: skull base, 79(02), pp.139-150.

Tucker, A.M. , Beckett, J.S. and Martin, N.A., 2017. Next Generation Case Report: Supraorbital Craniotomy for Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Clipping in Annotated Virtual Reality Environment. Operative neurosurgery. Diaz-Aguilar, D., Terterov, S., Scharnweber, R., Brara, H., Tucker, A. , Merna, C., Wang, S. and Rahman, S., 2017. Surgical nuances of circumferential lumbar spondylectomy: A case report and short literature review. Surgical neurology international, 8.

Terterov, S., Diaz-Aguilar, D., Scharnweber, R., Tucker, A. , Niu, T., Woodard, J.L., Brara, H., Poh, M., Merna, C., Wang, S. and Rahman, S., 2017. Surgical nuances of partial sacrectomy for chordoma. Surgical neurology international, 8.

2017

Tucker, A.M. , Lee, S.J., Chung, L.K., Barnette, N.E., Voth, B.L., Lagman, C., Nagasawa, D.T. and Yang, I., 2017. Analyzing the efficacy of frequent sodium checks during hypertonic saline infusion after elective brain tumor surgery. Clinical neurology and neurosurgery , 156, pp.24-28.

Niu, T., Tucker, A.M., Nagasawa, D.T. and Bergsneider, M., 2017. Solitary Aggregatibacter aphrophilus tectal abscess in immunocompetent patient. Surgical neurology international , 8. Lagman, C., Rai, K., Chung, L.K., Nagasawa, D.T., Beckett, J.S., Tucker, A.M. and Yang, I., 2017. Fatal colloid cysts: a systematic review. World neurosurgery , 107, pp.409-415.

Tucker, A. , Boon-Unge, K., McLaughlin, N., Ibrahim, H., Rao, N., Martin, N., Everson, R. and Khanlou, N., 2017. Cerebellar liponeurocytoma: Relevant clinical cytogenetic findings. Journal of pathology and translational medicine , 51(3), p.335.

Antonios, J.P., Soto, H., Everson, R.G., Moughon, D., Orpilla, J.R., Shin, N.P., Sedighim, S., Treger, J., Odesa, S., Tucker, A. and Yong, W.H., 2017. Immunosuppressive tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells mediate adaptive immune resistance via a PD-1/PD-L1 mechanism in glioblastoma. Neuro-oncology , 19(6), pp.796-807.

Bui, T.T., Nagasawa, D.T., Lagman, C., Chen, C.H.J., Chung, L.K., Voth, B.L., Beckett, J.S., Tucker, A.M. , Niu, T., Gaonkar, B. and Yang, I., 2017. Isolated Transverse Process Fractures and Markers of Associated Injuries: The Experience at University of California, Los Angeles. World neurosurgery , 104, pp.82-88.

Nagasawa, D.T., Bui, T.T., Lagman, C., Lee, S.J., Chung, L.K., Niu, T., Tucker, A. , Gaonkar, B., Yang, I. and Macyszyn, L., 2017. Isolated transverse process fractures: a systematic analysis. World neurosurgery , 100, pp.336-341.

2016

Tucker, A.M. , Niu, T., Nagasawa, D.T., Everson, R., Sedighim, S. and Blanco, M.M.B., 2016. CT-negative, MRI GRE-positive primary motor cortex contusion causing isolated foot drop. Surgical neurology international , 7(Suppl 28), p.S756.

Hsu, M., Sedighim, S., Wang, T., Antonios, J.P., Everson, R.G., Tucker, A.M. , Du, L., Emerson, R., Yusko, E., Sanders, C. and Robins, H., 2016. TCR sequencing can identify and track glioma-infiltrating T cells after DC vaccination. Cancer immunology research, pp.canimm-0240.

Books

Book Chapters

2022

Tucker, A.M., Madsen, P.J., Heuer, G.G. (2022). Ventricular Shunts for Hydrocephalus. In: Mattei, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07524-7_85

2018

Tucker AM , Niu T, Nagasawa DT and Holly LT. Timing of Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. In Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Radiculopathy: Treatment Approaches and Options (2018), editor Michael Fehlings.

Tucker AM , Terterov S and Frazee J. Endoscopic Approaches To Intracranial Aneurysms. In Neurosurgical Operative Atlas: Vascular Neurosurgery (2018), editor R Loch MacDonald.

2016

Everson RG, Antonios JP, Tucker AM and Liau LM. Dendritic Cell Therapy for Brain Tumors. In Translational Immunotherapy (2016), editor John Sampson.

2014

Tucker AM and Stine C. Arachnoid Cyst. In The 5-Minute Clinical Consult (2014), editor Frank J. Domino.