BOARD CERTIFIED NEUROSURGEON
QUALIFIED MEDICAL EXAMINER
Dr. Kevin Yoo received his bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double majored in English and Chemistry. He went onto Emory University School of Medicine where he became a doctor in medicine; Dr. Yoo also did one year of graduate schooling at Emory. He moved onto 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 his first half of his Residency and completed it at University of California at San Diego.
Beginning early on one could recognize Dr. Yoo’s continual strive for excellence, he graduated high school summa cum laude, which only proceeded into his college career at UNC where he was 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 Dr. Yoo’s medical career there has always been a passion for research which has led to numerous publications and presentations. He has extensive training that 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. Kevin Yoo is dedicated to the intricate care of each and every patient he treats. He is the Director of Palomar Neurosurgery Center and joined the OC Medical Group in Anaheim in 2010 where he helps lead a superior team of spine and neurological experts.
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Business Addresses
Poway:
Palomar Neurosurgery Center
15706 Pomerado Road STE S-206
Poway, CA 92064
La Jolla:
HM-Poole Bldg.
9834 Genesee Ave. Ste 411
La Jolla, CA 92037
Temecula Valley Spine & Neurosurgery Center:
27720 Jefferson Ave Suite 100B
Temecula, CA 92590
Business Phone: 858-485-8022
Business Fax: 858-815-6820
Current Position
- Palomar Neurosurgery Center, Director
- Solo/Private Practice: June 2004-Current
Medical Facility Affiliations
- Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center
- Inland Valley Medical Center
- Orthopaedic Outpatient Surgery Center of La Jolla
- Outpatient Surgery of Del Mar
- Palomar Medical Center
- Pomerado Hospital
- Rancho Springs Medical Center
- Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA
- Tricity Medical Center, Vista
Approved Provider Status
- Tricare
- Medicare
- PPO
- WorkComp
- Personal Injury
Education
High School:
The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, Georgia
Summa Cum Laude June (1984)
College:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dual Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English and Chemistry (1988)
Medical School:
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Doctor of Medicine (1993)
Graduate School:
Emory University Graduate School
Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (1990-1991)
Graduate School:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Department of Anatomy
Passed Candidacy Oral and Written Exams (1994-1996)
Post Doctoral Training
1993 – 1994: Surgical Internship
Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Affiliated Hospitals, Atlanta, GA (404-727-0093)
1994 – 1996: Neurosurgical Research Associate
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, Little Rock, AR (501-296-1463)
1997 – 2002: Neurosurgical Residency
Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Maywood, IL (708-216-3208)
2002 – 2004: Chief Resident, Neurosurgical Residency
University of California, San Diego, Division of Neurosurgery, San Diego, CA
(619-543-5545)
Continuing Medical Education
Licenses/Certification
- The American Board of Neurological Surgery Certified (Expires 12/31/2019)
- California Medical License G86513
- Issued: May 17, 2002
- Expires: January 31, 2012
Awards and Honors
- The Westminster Schools (1984): graduated summa cum laude and with distinctions.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1988):
- John Motley Morehead Scholar
- Dean’s Honor List
- UNC Honors Program, Member
- North Carolina Fellows Program, Member
- Emory University School of Medicine (1989): Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
Memberships
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2004 - current)
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2004 - current)
- American College of Surgeons (2010 – current)
- North American Spine Society (2006 - current)
Teaching Experience
Consulting Experience
- Lumbar Degenerative Spine Executive Surgeon Panel for Alphatec Spine 2008
- Minimally Invasive Spine Executive Surgeon Panel for Alphatec Spine 2009
Poster Presentations:
- Tominaga, GT, Schaffer KB, Dandan IS, Kraus JF, Sedwitz MM, Yoo K, Weitzel NJ, Eastman AB: "Is there a difference in operative versus non-operative treatment of cervical spine injuries in the elderly?" Accepted for poster presentation: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Annual Meeting; Boston, Mass; September 22-25, 2010.
- Tominaga, GT, Dandan IS, Coufal F, Yoo K, Schaffer K, Simon, Jr. FJ, Eastman, AB "Decompressive Craniectomy for Sever 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 has 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, "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.
Publications:
- 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. 2009
- 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.
Research Experience
- The RESCUEicp Study: Randomized Evaluation of Surgery with Craniecomty for Uncontrollable Elevation of Intra-Cranial Pressure
- Prinicipal Investigator at the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla site for an International Study based in Oxford, England
- Currently undergoing and enrolling patients till end of 2010
- Co-Investigators: Kevin Yoo, M.D., Frank Coufal, M.D.
- ManaSafe MULTICENTER REGISTRY AND STUDY
- Co-Investigator in determining the safety of non-thoracic 1.5T MRI scanning for patients with implanted cardiac devices
- Location: Over 35 sites, including Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla
- Other Investigators: Brian Carlos, M.D. (P.I.), Gail T. Tominaga, MD.
- THE USE OF OCTREOSCAN AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR INTRACRANIAL NEOPLASMS
¨ 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.
¨ Location: Department of Neurosurgery; University or Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital, John L. McClellan Veterans Administration Hospital, Arkansas Children's Hospital
¨ 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
¨ Co-Principal Investigator in growing meningioma cell cultures, establishing nude mouse meningioma animal model, and determining therapeutic potential of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs for meningiomas.
¨ Location: Laboratory of Skull Base Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
¨ 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
¨ 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.
¨ 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
¨ Other Investigators: Ali F. Krisht, M.D. (P.I.), Kenan Arnautovic, M.D., Ossama Al-Mefty, M.D., F.AC.S.
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