Joshua M. Ammerman, MD - Neurosurgeon

Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

Neurosurgeon

Washington Neurosurgical Associates

Washington, DC

Dr. Ammerman is a member of the SpineUniverse Editorial Board.

About Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

Doctor Joshua Ammerman is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Washington Neurosurgical Associates. In addition, he is Chief of the Neurosurgery Section and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Sibley Memorial Hospital. Academically, he is Assistant Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

His clinical interests include minimally invasive spinal surgery, complex spinal surgery, traumatic brain and spinal injury, pituitary disorders, brain metastasis, and von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Dr. Ammerman received his medical degree with distinction at George Washington University in Washington, DC. There he completed his internship in the Department of Surgery and residency in the Department of Neurological Surgery. Special residency training took place in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Children’s National Medical Center. Under the tutelage of Edward H. Oldfield, MD, Dr. Ammerman completed a Clinical Research/Neuroncology fellowship program in the Surgical Neurology Branch of the National Institutes for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health at Bethesda, MD.

In addition, Dr. Ammerman has received honors, including Washington Consumers’ Checkbook Top Doctors and Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doctors. He is an active member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, and the Osler Society's Washington Chapter.

Furthermore, Dr. Ammerman has published his research in prestigious medical journals, contributed textbook chapters, and is active as an ad hoc reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals.

Publications

Journal Articles

Ammerman, Shih and Ammerman. Unique Considerations for Treating Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Preventive Intervention. Topics In Clinical Nutrition. 12(1): 79-87, 1996.

Wolf, Ammerman and Jann. Organization of Response in Human Lateral Gastrocnemius Muscle to Specific Body Pertubations. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 8(1): 11-22, 1998.

Jones, R.V. and Ammerman, J.M. Intraoperative Pathologic Evaluation of Central Nervous System Hemangioblastoma. Pathology Case Reviews. 6(5): 212-217, 2001.

C.L. Rosen, J.M. Ammerman, L.N. Sekhar and W.O. Bank. Outcome Analysis of Preoperative Embolization in Cranial Base Surgery. Acta Neurochir. 144: 1157-1164, 2002.

Ammerman, JM, Ammerman, BJ and Caputy, AJ. Intraoperative Video Monitoring with the MicroLux Camera System. Neurosurgery. 52(2): 479-480, 2003.

Ammerman JM, Caputy AJ, and Potolicchio SJ. Endovascular ablation of a temporal lobe epileptogenic focus - a complication of Wada testing. Acta Neurol Scand.112(3): 189-91, 2005.

Lonser RR, Vortmeyer AO, Butman JA, Glasker S, Finn MA, Ammerman JM, Merrill MJ, Edwards NA, Zhuang Z, Oldfield EH. Edema is a precursor to central nervous system peritumoral cyst formation. Ann Neurol. 58(3): 392-399, 2005.

Ammerman JM, Lonser RR and Oldfield EH. Posterior subtemporal transtentoiral approach to intraparenchymal lesions of the anteromedial region of the superior cerebellum. J Neurosurg 103(5): 783-788, 2005.

Lonser RR, Ammerman JM and Oldfield EH. Subtemporal transtentorial approach. J Neurosurg 104(5): 854-856; comment 855-856, 2006.

Ammerman JM, Goel R and Polin RS. Resolution of Chiari malformation after treatment of acromegaly. Case Illustration. J Neurosurg 104(6): 980, 2006.

Ammerman JM, Lonser RR, Dambrosia J, Butman JA and Oldfield EH. Long-term natural history of hemangioblastomas in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease: implications for treatment. J Neurosurg 105(2): 248-255, 2006.

Ammerman JM, Baggenstos M, Jones RV, Sweet J, Goldstein K and Caputy AJ. Multiple metachronous brain metastases from primary ureteral carcinoma. Urology 68(3): 673 (e9-e12), 2006.

Ammerman JM, Ammerman, MD, Dambrosia J and Ammerman BJ. A prospective evaluation of the role for intraoperative x-ray in lumbar discectomy. Predictors of incorrect level exposure. Surg Neurol 66(5): 470-474, 2006.

Ammerman JM, Lonser RR, Dambrosia J, Butman JA, Oldfield EH. Integra Foundation Award: Long-term natural history of hemangioblastomas in Von Hippel-Lindau disease: implications for treatment. Clin Neurosurg. 53:324-31, 2006.

Ammerman JM, Ammerman MD and Magram G. Subarachnoid air mimicking a basilar apex aneurysm. J Neurosurg (3 Suppl Pediatrics) 106(3): 244, 2007.

Butman JA, Kim HJ, Baggenstos M, Ammerman JM, Dambrosia J, Patsalides A, Patronas NJ, Oldfield EH, Lonser RR. Mechanisms of morbid hearing loss associated with tumors of the endolymphatic sac in von Hippel-Lindau disease. JAMA. 298(1):41-48, 2007.

Ammerman JM, Kerr PB, Jarrell ST, Caputy AJ. A novel technique for the intraoperative monitoring of detrusor activity in intradural lesions of the cauda equina. Technical note. Surg Neurol. 68(3):269-71, 2007.

Ammerman JM, Ammerman MD, Leiphart JW. Traumatic Bilateral Thoracic Facet Dislocation Without Fracture. J Am Coll Surg. 206(1):186-187, 2008.

Ammerman JM, Ammerman MD. Wrong-sided surgery. J Neurosurg Spine. 9(1):105-6; author reply 106, 2008.

Ammerman JM. Pseudosubarachnoid hemorrhage: a zebra worth looking for. South Med J. 101(12):1200, 2008.

Sweet J, Ammerman J, Deshmukh V, White J. Cruciate paralysis secondary to traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation. J Neurosurg Spine. 12: 19-21, 2010.

Ammerman JM. t-PA for mild ischemic stroke: we shouldn't be afraid to treat. South Med J. 103(5):391, 2010.

Wind JJ and Ammerman JM. Pathologic Cervical Burst Fracture Presenting with Airway Compromise. South Med J. 103(6): 551-553, 2010.

Ammerman JM, Kerr PB and Roberti F. Acute tetraplegia and cardiac arrest following high cervical leptomeningeal metastasis of giant cell glioblastoma. J Clin Neurosci. 18:1133-1135, 2011.

Texts and Book Chapters

Polin, R.S., Ammerman, J.M., Nanda A, "Severe Head Injury" Neurobase CD-ROM Textbook, R. Evans, ed., 2001.

Polin, R.S., Ammerman, J.M., Nanda A, "Severe Head Injury" Neurobase CD-ROM Textbook, R. Evans, ed., 2002.

Polin, R.S., Ammerman, J.M., Nanda A, "Severe Head Injury" Neurobase CD-ROM Textbook, R. Evans, ed., 2003.

Polin, R.S., Ammerman, J.M., Nanda A, "Severe Head Injury" Neurobase CD-ROM Textbook, R. Evans, ed., 2004.

Polin, R.S., Ammerman, J.M., Nanda A, "Severe Head Injury" Neurobase CD-ROM Textbook, R. Evans, ed., 2005.

Ammerman J.M., Jarell S.T. and Polin R.S. (2006) Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage. In Evans R. (ed): Neurology and Trauma, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. pp. 156-166.

Jarell S.T., Chenelle A., Ammerman J.M. and Polin R.S. (2006) Athletic Head Injury. In Evans R. (ed): Neurology and Trauma, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. pp. 506-525.

Ammerman J.M. and Caputy A.J. (2006) Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Discectomy. In Schmedick and Roberts (ed): Operative Neurosurgical Techniques: Indications, Methods and Results, 5th ed. Schmedick H.H. and Sweet W.B. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. pp. 1981-1990.

Scanlon J.M., Ammerman J.M. and Trask A. (2006) Head Injury. In Irwin and Rippe. (ed): Manual of Intensive Care Medicine, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. pp. 693-696.

Wind J.J., Ammerman J.M. and Ecklund J.M. (2010) Head Trauma. In Irwin and Rippe. (ed): Manual of Intensive Care Medicine, 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. pp. 800-803.

Abstracts, Posters and Oral Presentations

C. Rosen, J. Ammerman, L.N. Sekhar, Z. Levine, W. Bank. Outcome Analysis of Preoperative Embolization in Cranial Base Surgery: Embolization of Skull Base Meningiomas. Presented at the Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, January 20-22, 2000. Greenbriar Resort, W. Virginia.

J. Ammerman, S. Potolicchio, J. Varghese and A. Caputy. Sudden Unexplained Death In Epilepsy: The Impact of Anterior Temporal Lobectomy on Autonomic Instability. Presented at the Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, January 17-19, 2002. The Homestead Resort. Hot Springs, Virginia.

J. Ammerman, A. Caputy, S. Potolicchio and S. Johnson. SSEPs in Cervical Spine Surgery: Reevaluating the Role for Intraoperative Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Anterior Cervical Discectomy. Presented at the Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, January 23-25, 2003. The Homestead Resort. Hot Springs, Virginia.

J. Ammerman, R Morales. CTA: The use of Computed Tomographic Angiography in the Diagnosis of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms. Presented at the George Washington University Medical Center Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, April 1, 2003. The George Washington University Medical Center. Washington, DC.

J. Ammerman. Spinal Disc Prosthesis. Presented at the George Washington University Medical Center Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, October 28, 2003. The George Washington University Medical Center. Washington, DC.

J. Ammerman and R. Lonser. The natural history of CNS tumors in VHL: a 10-year follow-up. Presented at the Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, January 22-24, 2004. The Greenbrier Resort. White Sulfur Springs, WVa.

J. Ammerman. The Utility of CSF Lactate in the Diagnosis of Meningitis. Presented at the George Washington University Medical Center Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, February 3, 2004. The George Washington University Medical Center. Washington, DC.

J. Ammerman, R. Lonser, J. Butman, H. DeVroom, E. Oldfield. The natural history of central nervous system tumors in von Hippel-Lindau disease: a 10-year follow-up. Presented at the 6th International Symposium on von Hippel-Lindau, May 20-23, 2004. Kochi City Culture Plaza. Kochi, Japan.

J. Ammerman. The Role of Decompressive Craniectomy in Malignant MCA Stroke. Presented at the George Washington University Medical Center Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, September 14, 2004. The George Washington University Medical Center. Washington, DC.

J. Ammerman, R. Lonser, J. D'Ambrosia, E. Oldfield. Long-term natural history of hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease: Implications for treatment. Presented at the 10th Annual GW Health Sciences Research Day. April 22, 2005. George Washington University Medical Center. Washington, DC.

J. Ammerman, R. Lonser, J. D'Ambrosia, E. Oldfield. Long-term natural history of hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease: Implications for treatment. Presented at the 55th Annual Congress of Neurological Surgeons. October 8-13, 2005. Hynes Convention Center. Boston, MA. (Integra Foundation Award Recipient)

Ammerman JM, Lonser RR and Oldfield EH. Posterior subtemporal transtentoiral approach to intraparenchymal lesions of the anteromedial region of the superior cerebellum. Presented at the 55th Annual Congress of Neurological Surgeons. October 8-13, 2005. Hynes Convention Center. Boston, MA.

J. Ammerman. Chronic subdural hematoma: an evidence based review. Presented at the George Washington University Medical Center Neurosurgical Grand Rounds. February 14, 2006. The George Washington University Medical Center. Washington, DC.

Articles Written by Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

Adjacent Segment Disease and Back Pain

Adjacent segment disease, a known complication of spinal fusion, can also be caused by degenerative changes in the back and neck.

Cervical Spine Anatomy (Neck)

Detailed description of cervical spine anatomy: includes image of cervical vertebra and list of parts of the body controlled by the cervical spinal nerves.

Clinical Prediction Model for Surgical Outcome in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Found Valid

A clinical predictive rule can help surgeons determine whether an individual patient will benefit from spine surgery to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Back Sprains and Strains Center

Back sprains and back strains are a common cause of low back pain that can be acute. A sprain is caused when a spinal ligament becomes overstretched or torn. A back sprain involves a spinal muscle or tendon.

Navigated Spinal Instrumentation Utilizing a “Hybrid” Technique to Compensate for Intraoperative Anatomic Changes: A Retrospective Review of a New Technique

Retrospective research finds a hybrid O-arm, C-arm, O-arm technique is an effective, radiation-sparing method for surgeons to compensate for certain intraoperative anatomic changes that are routinely encountered during minimally invasive, image-guided spinal surgery.

Keeping Your Back Healthy as You Age

Five ways to help keep your back and neck healthy as you grow older.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis causes low back and leg pain. Both back and leg pain often worsens with activity, such as walking. Degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis are two different spinal disorders that can cause or contribute to spinal stenosis.

10 Back and Neck Pain Medication Safety Tips

Much can be lost in translation from the time your physician writes your prescription to when your pharmacist fills it. These 10 tips will help you advocate for your health in the complex world of prescription drugs.

Find Your Dream Pillow to Banish Back and Neck Pain

A guide to help you select the right pillow to support your neck, and possibly also your back, knees, and hips while sleeping.

What Triggers Acute Lower Back Pain?

Acute lower back pain usually starts suddenly with severe pain that lasts a short time. Seven common causes and 4 self-help treatments.

Solid Growth: Bone Grafts’ Role in Spine Surgery and Fusion Success

Ever-advancing medical technology has afforded patients undergoing neck or back spinal fusion surgery a wealth of options when it comes to bone grafts.

Decompressive Lumbar Laminectomy

Low back spinal stenosis may be surgical treated with decompressive lumbar laminectomy. Spine surgery may be recommended if non-surgical treatment is not effective, bowel and/or bladder problems occur, leg weakness worsens, or walking is difficult.

5 Mattress Buying Tips to Reduce Back Pain and Improve Sleep

A good mattress is good for your back and neck. This guide provides mattress basics to help you become a more informed consumer.

Easing Back and Neck Pain While Breastfeeding

How can nursing mothers help reduce neck and back pain? Dr. Joshua Ammerman answers our questions and shares his thoughts how to keep the spine flexible and strong while breastfeeding.

Is Your Cell Phone Killing Your Back?

If you are reading this article on a cell phone or tablet, you are probably doing it right now: Tilting your head forward and down in order to look at your device.

Case Studies Presented by Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

Superior Articular Facet Interbody Reconstruction (SAFIR)

A novel posterior lumbar interbody fusion approach

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD

A 74-year-old presents with 9 months of back and R > L leg pain. Four years ago, she underwent L4-S1 ALIF with pedicle screws. Her ODI is 20.

Cervical Deformity and Myelopathy in an Elderly Female

Presented by: J. Wind MD, J. Ammerman MD, M. Ammerman MD

The patient is a 76-year-old female with a history of progressive cervical pain with numbness, tingling and clumsiness of her upper extremities. She has no previous history of neck-related problems and is a nonsmoker.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Degenerative Deformity

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, M. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD

The patient is a 79-year-old male with a 9-month history of back pain and left buttock and posterior thigh pain when walking more than one block. Twelve years prior, he underwent an open L3-S1 decompressive laminectomy and non-instrumented posterolateral fusion L4-S1 for spinal stenosis, with good results.

Transthoracic Resection of Thoracic Disc Herniation With Navigation

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD, G. Trachiotis MD

An elderly female presenting with bilateral abdominal pain radiating to the umbilicus and progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness had significant difficulty standing and was unable to walk.

Traumatic L1 Vertebral Body Fracture

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, M. Ammerman MD

A 29-year-old female presents with vertebral body fracture at L1 following a motor vehicle accident.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Deformity Correction

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD, M. Ammerman MD

The patient is a 70-year-old male with an eight year history of progressive back and leg pain. Right leg pain is greater than left, and he presents with several comorbidities.

L4-L5 Foraminal Spinal Stenosis in an Elderly Male

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD, J. Babrowicz MD

A 77-year-old male underwent laminectomy at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The procedure was complicated by a cerebrospinal (CFS) fluid leak. The laminectomy was performed at another center. He now presents with persistent right lumbar radiculopathy.

Acute Onset of Back and Left Leg Pain

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD

The patient is a 52-year-old male with the acute onset of back and left anterior thigh pain for 2 weeks. Pain is unresponsive to oral steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Lumbar Sagittal Balance Restoration: Less Invasive?

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD, J. Babrowicz MD

A 68-year-old female presents with standing intolerance, neurogenic claudication and back pain. Her past medical history includes coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and atrial fibrillation.

Minimally Invasive Resection of an Intradural Spinal Tumor

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD, T. Kosztowski MD

A 38-year-old female presents with one-year history of left leg pain radiating from her buttock into the lateral aspect of the foot.

Severe Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Spondylolisthesis

Does fusion result in a better outcome than laminectomy alone for lumbar spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis?

Presented by: J. Ammerman MD, J. Wind MD, M. Ammerman MD

The patient presents with progressive back pain and is adopting a forward flexed posture. Does fusion result in a better outcome than laminectomy alone for lumbar spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis?

Articles Reviewed by Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

Radiculopathy: What You Need to Know

Radiculopathy is pain, tingling, numbness or weakness down the length of a nerve, caused by a compressed nerve root in the spine.

Spinal Surgeries: Laminotomy versus Laminectomy

Laminectomy and laminotomy are types of spinal decompression surgeries that involve full or partial removal of the lamina, the vertebrae's bony plate that protects the spinal canal.

Could COVID-19 Be Causing This Rare Spinal Cord Disorder?

Can COVID-19 cause a rare spinal condition called transverse myelitis? Learn what TM is and see the evidence connecting the two conditions.

Men With Osteoporosis Are At Increased Risk for Erectile Dysfunction

Men with osteoporosis should be evaluated for erectile dysfunction (ED), and men with ED should be screened for low bone mass density (osteoporosis), according to findings from a large nationwide study from Taiwan.

Single-Level Instrumented Lumbar Interbody Fusion: The Impact of ASCs on Evidence-Based Medicine

Evidence-based medicine is the emerging trend in health care reform focused on making health care safer, less complicated, and more cost-effective.

iMAS Technique Combines Open and Minimally Invasive Approaches for Treatment of Degenerative Spine Disorders

The intervertebral micro access surgery (iMAS) technique for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion offers a novel approach for treatment of select degenerative lumbar disease processes. Learn more about this approach.

Complex Spine Surgery: Your Questions Answered

Complex spinal surgery risks and complications often include diabetes, smoking, and obesity. Questions patients ask are answered by a neurosurgeon.

Staff and Office Factors May Negatively Affect Online Ratings for Spine Surgeons

Should spine surgeons ask patients if there were difficulties with the office appointment or surgical scheduling, and encourage patients to take an active role in billing prior to undergoing a surgical procedure in an attempt to provide more transparency for the patient?

InFill Lumbar Fusion Systems Increase Bone Graft Volume Over Standard Prepacked Cages in Lumbar Interbody Fusion

The InFill Graft Delivery System can be used to “bulk up” a prepacked implant, or for a complete fill of the implant and disc space in-situ to maximize contact with the vertebral endplates.

iFuse System For Sacroiliac Joint Pain Shows High Success Rate and Patient Satisfaction

The iFuse system showed a high rate of patient satisfaction and was linked to reduced need for opioid medications.

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Author's Statement

I, or an immediate family member, have a financial interest(s) or affiliation(s) with the following commercial companies whose products and / or services may be mentioned in the materials I have authored, edited or reviewed for presentation on Remedy Health Media, LLC’s websites.

Disclosed Relationships

Consultant/Independent Contractor

Globus Medical; Integrity Implants; Medtronic

Speaking/Teaching

Benvenue Medical; Institute for Musculoskeletal Science & Education (IMSE)

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