Dr Erik van de Kelft graduated magna cum laude as a Doctor in Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, in 1985. After 2 years of training in general surgery at the General Hospital Stuivenberg, he specialized in neurosurgery under the supervision of Drs. J.J. Martin and P. Selosse at the University Hospital, Antwerp (UZA). His training included periods in Montpellier, France and La Timone Hospital in Marseille, where he focused on pediatric neurosurgery. After successfully completing his training in 1993, Dr. van de Kelft became a permanent staff member in the Neurosurgery Department at the UZA and also a consultant at the Maria Middelares General Hospital in Sint-Niklaas. During this period, he earned a Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences, writing his doctoral thesis on the molecular genetics of malignant brain tumours. Since 1999 he has been a permanent member of the Neurosurgery Department of the Niklaas Hospital, Sint Niklaas, and the OLV (Our Lady) Hospital in Aalst; he is also a neurosurgery consultant at St. Jozef Hospital, Bornem. Dr. van de Kelft is especially known for his expertise in back surgery and in the surgical treatment of facial pain. He is the author of 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals and a regular speaker at international conferences.

Guides the reader through the diagnostic process and treatment selection according to the principles of evidence-based medicine

Illustrates newer surgical procedures in images and accompanying videos

Identifies potential complications and highlights technical pearls?

The development of the spine.- Anatomy of the back including all structures that may cause pain.- Pain mechanisms.- Spinal radiology and imaging techniques.- Evidence Based Medicine and classification. Surgical interventions at the cervical spine: Correction of idiopathic problems.- Problems due to trauma.- Problems due to degeneration. Surgical interventions at the thoracic spine: Correction of idiopathic problems.- Problems due to trauma.- Problems due to degeneration. Surgical interventions at the lumbosacral spine: Correction of idiopathic problems.- Problems due to trauma.- Problems due to degeneration.