Complexe wervelkolomchirurgie (volwassenen en kinderen), okt-dec 2023, Rigshospitalet, Kopenhagen (DK) onder begeleiding van prof. dr. M. Gehrchen en prof. dr. B. Dahl

Adulte spinale deformiteit, scoliose volwassenen, tumoren van de wervelkolom, adolescente idiopathische scoliose, neuromusculaire scoliose.

Klinisch observership

Perifere zenuwchirurgie (volwassenen en kinderen), okt-nov 2024, Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Stanmore, Londen (VK) onder begeleiding van de heer M. Fox en de heer M. Sinisi.
Reconstructie van de plexus brachialis, zenuwtumoren, acute en chronische zenuwletsels, zenuwtransfers, peestransfers.

Verdere opleiding wervelkolomchirurgie

Succesvolle kandidaat voor de 2025 cohorte van het AO Spine Global Spine Diploma trainingsprogramma.

• 2017 – 2018: Neurologie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Edegem onder begeleiding van prof. dr. P. Cras.
• 2018 – 2019: Algemene heelkunde, Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis, Dordrecht (NL) onder begeleiding van dr. P. Plaisier.
• 2019 – 2020: Neurochirurgie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Edegem, onder begeleiding van prof. dr. T. Menovsky
• 2020 – 2021: Neurochirurgie, AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, onder begeleiding van prof. dr. E. Van de Kelft
• 2021 – 2022: Neurochirurgie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Edegem, onder begeleiding van prof. dr. T. Menovsky
• 2022 – 2023: Neurochirurgie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire Lille, Lille (FR), onder begeleiding van prof. dr. J.-P. Lejeune en prof. dr. R. Assaker

• 2017-2023: Master in de specialistische geneeskunde neurochirurgie, Universiteit Antwerpen, België
• 2013 – 2017: Master of Science in Medicine, Universiteit Antwerpen, België
• 2010 – 2013: Bachelor of Science in Medicine, Universiteit Antwerpen, België

Proefschrift

Francinetti A, Thijs D, De genetische risicofactoren voor intracraniële aneurysma's en subarachnoïdale bloedingen, onder begeleiding van prof. dr. P. Jorens, Universiteit Antwerpen, 2017.

• European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• European Association of Neurosurgical Societies Peripheral Nerve section
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
• American Association of Neurosurgical Societies (AANS)
• Global Nerve Foundation
• EuroSpine
• Spine Society Belgium

• Belgian Society of Neurosurgery (BSN)

  • Bestuurslid van de Spine Section sinds 2025

  Vorige lidmaatschappen

• Belgian Neurosurgical Trainees – section of the BSN
• President 2020- 2023
• Belgian Association of Neuro Oncology (BANO)

• Certificate Basic Life Support/Automatic External Defibrillator, European Resuscitation Council, December 21, 2012
• Certificate Course on Acute Care Ultrasound Beginner, International Fluid Academy, eFAST (ultrasound of heart, lungs, and abdomen in trauma), Transcranial Doppler, Vascular Access, November 26, 2016
• Certificate of Training 6th BNSS (Belgian Neurosurgical Spine Society) Cadaver Training Course, March 24, 2017
• Certificate Course on Acute Care Ultrasound Beginner, International Fluid Academy, eFAST (ultrasound of heart, lungs, and abdomen in trauma), Transcranial Doppler, Vascular Access, November 23-25, 2017
• Certificate of Training 7th BNSS (Belgian Neurosurgical Spine Society) Cadaver Training Course, March 9, 2018
• Certificate Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), 10th Edition, American College of Surgeons with invitation to ATLS instructor course (invitation letter instructor potential), September 20-21, 2019
• Certificate of Training 8th BNSS (Belgian Neurosurgical Spine Society) Cadaver Training Course, February 1, 2019
• Certificate of Training Surgical Anatomy of the Leg in Relation to Nerve Injuries Cadaver Course, Boerhaave Committee, Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum (NL), March 22, 2019
• Certificate Hands-On Microsurgery Course, BAU University, Istanbul (TR), May 2-4, 2019
• Certificate Fundamentals of Open and Endoscopic Skull Base Approaches, CHU Liège, February 17, 2020
• Certificate Spinal Balance Course, Brussels, March 4-5, 2020
• Certificate of Training 9th BNSS (Belgian Neurosurgical Spine Society) Cadaver Training Course, March 6, 2020
• Certificate Belgian Interdisciplinary Spine Symposium, Online, October 30, 2020
• Certificate of the EANS European Training Course in Neurosurgery, Functional Neurosurgery and Head Injury, Thessaloniki (GR), May 22-25, 2021
• Certificate of the EANS Peripheral Nerve Surgery (Pre-Congress Course), Online, October 2, 2021
• Certificate Fundamental Curriculum Spinal Training Cadaver Workshop, Leiden (NL), February 15-16, 2022
• Certificate of Training 10th BNSS (Belgian Neurosurgical Spine Society) Cadaver Training Course, February 21, 2022
• Certificate of the EANS European Training Course in Neurosurgery, Spine, Limassol (CY), May 27-31, 2022
• Certificate of Training Cadaver Workshop Latest Innovations in Spine Surgery for Fellows, Cologne (DE), June 23-24, 2022
• Certificate of Training Copenhagen Peripheral Nerve Surgery Course, Copenhagen (DK), September 14-16, 2022
• Certificate of Extension Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), September 20, 2022
• Certificate Surgical Synergy Symposium: Future Perspectives and New Technologies, Rome (IT), May 12-13, 2022
• Certificate Cambridge Advanced Cadaveric Skull Base Neurosurgical Masterclass, Cambridge (UK), December 1-2, 2022
• Certificate of the EANS European Training Course in Neurosurgery, Vascular Neurosurgery, Istanbul (TR), January 22-25, 2023
• Certificate Global Nerve Foundation & Esser Nerves Esser Masterclass Peripheral Nerve Course Upper Extremity, Rotterdam (NL), February 16-18, 2023
• Certificate Nerve Transfers in the Upper Limb, Symposium de l’Institut de la Main, Paris (FR), May 26-27, 2023
• Certificate of Training Surgical Anatomy of the Arm in Relation to Nerve Injuries Cadaver Course, Boerhaave Committee, Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum (NL), June 22-23, 2023
• Certificate of Participation ESPINEA World Summit Masterclass Endoscopic Spine Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh (UK), July 13-15, 2023
• Certificate Treatment of Spinal Deformity Pathologies, IRCAD, Strasbourg (FR), September 6-7, 2023
• Certificate Meet the Masters Symposium, Waterloo, September 7-9, 2023
• Certificate EANS Completion of 4-Year Cycle of Training Courses (Spine, Vascular Neurosurgery, Tumor, Functional Neurosurgery, Head Injury & Peripheral Nerves), Edinburgh (UK), January 28-31, 2024
• Certificate EANS Part 1 of the European Board Examination in Neurological Surgery, Edinburgh (UK), January 27, 2024
• Certificate Global Nerve Foundation & Esser Nerves Esser Masterclass Peripheral Nerve Course Lower Extremity, Rotterdam (NL), February 29 – March 1, 2024
• Certificate EuroSpine Diploma (European Spine Course Diploma Curriculum), Zurich (CH), March 16, 2024
• Certificate Summer University Innovation Week (Spine), London (UK), June 12-13, 2024
• Certificate EANS annual congress 2025, Vienna (AU), October 5-9, 2025
• Certificate EANS peripheral nerve surgery pre-congress course, Vienna, October 5, 2025
• Certificate EUROSPINE Annual meeting, Copenhagen, October 22-24, 2025
• Certificate Educational day BSS/NSDS, London, November 12, 2025
• Certificate Britisch Scoliosis Society and Nordic Spinal Deformities Society meeting, London, November 13-14, 2025

Peer reviewed publicaties

• Choucha A, Bulteau H, Thijs D, Simone M, Baroncini M, Santurro A, Iaconetta G. Atypical acute subdural hematoma caused by skull base fracture lacerating the middle meningeal artery: illustrative case. J Neurosurg Case Lessons. 2025 Nov 10; 10(19):CASE25331. doi: 10.3171/CASE25331. PMID: 41213138; PMCID: PMC12599374.

• Kashtiara A, Beldé S, Thijs D, De Bondt T, Van Goethem J, Van de Kelft E. Feasibility of synthetic CT images for robotic pedicle screw planning and navigation. Eur Spine J. 2025 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/s00586-025-09568-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41207961.

• Al Barajraji M, Barrit S, Boukind A, Telfeian AE, Quillo-Olvera J, Afathi M, Hassel F, Derman PB, Challali M, Simonin A, Devalckeneer A, Tominaga R, Le Huec JC, Santander XA, Motov S, Assaker R, Remacle T; Neurocore-SENSED Research Group. Spine endoscopic surgery establishment for disc disease (Neurocore-SENSED): an open and decentralized consensus. Brain Spine. 2025 Sep 13;5:105604. doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2025.105604. PMID: 41018749; PMCID: PMC12464703. 

• Kashtiara A, Raymaekers V, Thijs D, Aboukais R, Devalckeneer A, Bourgeois P, Boogaarts HD, Menovsky T. Manipulation of intracranial arteries is associated with consistent vessel diameter reductions during microsurgical aneurysm clipping. Neurosurg Rev. 2025 Jun 30; 48(1):532. doi: 10.1007/s10143-025-03573-3. PMID: 40583105.

• Thijs D, Kashtiara A, Beldé S, Van de Kelft E. Surgical Management of Lower Back Pain: Is Optimizing Spinopelvic Alignment Beneficial for Patient Outcomes? Life (Basel). 2025 May 22; 15(6):833. doi: 10.3390/life15060833. PMID: 40566487.

• Butzen D, Smolders Y, Stroobants T, Verleye G, Thijs D, Van de Kelft E. Correlation Between Spinopelvic Parameters, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Life (Basel). 2024 Dec 27; 15(1):16. doi: 10.3390/life15010016. PMID: 39859957; PMCID: PMC11767003.

• Hamelinck Z, Thijs D, Feyen B, Vanloon M, Van Rompaey V, Menovsky T. A Novel Way for Efficient and Safe Posterior Fossa Relaxation: The Extradural Opening of the Cisterna Magna in Retrosigmoid Craniotomy. Cureus. 2024 Aug 26; 16(8):e67841. doi: 10.7759/cureus.67841. PMID: 39193063; PMCID: PMC11349056.

• Thijs D, Van de Kelft E. Percutaneously Placed Gasserian Neurostimulation Electrode Migration Into the Quadrigeminal Cistern: Pathophysiological Hypothesis and Report of Successful Repositioning. Neuromodulation. 2024 Aug; 27(6):1098-1101. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.03.010. Epub 2023 Apr 21. PMID: 37086219.

• Gousias K, Hoyer A, Mazurczyk LA, Bartek J Jr, Bruneau M, Celtikci E, Foroglou N, Freyschlag C, Grossman R, Jungk C, Metellus P, Netuka D, Rola R, Schucht P, Senft C, Signorelli F, Vincent AJPE, Simon M; EANS Surgical Neuro-oncology Expertise Survey working group. Expertise in surgical neuro-oncology. Results of a survey by the EANS neuro-oncology section. Brain Spine. 2024 May 7;4:102822. doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2024.102822. PMID: 38831935; PMCID: PMC11145419.

• Van den Brande R, Thijs D, Bilsky M, Peeters M, Billiet C, Van de Kelft E. Treatment of ambulatory patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurosurg Spine. 2023 Oct 27:1-10. doi: 10.3171/2023.8.SPINE23541. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37890190.

• Verdonck P, Thijs D, Monsieurs K, “Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid endarterectomy presenting with ipsilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage and contralateral vertebral artery occlusion” in Patrick Van de Voorde, Said Hachimi-Idrissi & Sabine Lemoyne (2022) 2022 Besedim congress ‘it’s all about imaging’ – selected abstracts supplement, Acta Clinica Belgica, 77:sup1, 1-33, DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2022.2064607

• Thijs D, Menovsky T, “The Mayfield Skull Clamp: A Literature Review of Its Complications and Technical Nuances for Application”, World Neurosurgery, Volume 151, 2021, Pages 102-109, ISSN 1878-8750, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2021.04.081.

• Thijs D, Flipse W, "Enteroviral meningitis: a literature review", Flemish Infectious Diseases Bulletin 2017/3. 

Mondelinge presentaties

Thijs D, Adult spinal deformity: sagittal balance, Belgian Neurosurgical Trainees symposium, Dinant, December 6, 2025

Thijs D, Innovative Materials in Spine Surgery The Role of Carbon/PEEK in Metastatic and Primary Tumors, XXXI Belgian International Spine Symposium, Antwerp, November 22, 2025

Thijs D, Van de Kelft E, Radiographic outcomes in corrective multilevel surgery using planning software and patient specific rods, EANS2025, Annual Congress European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, Vienna, October 4-9, 2025

Thijs D, Peripheral nerve surgery, Annual congress of the Belgische Vereniging voor Neuro Verpleegkundigen, Blankenberge, May, 2025

Thijs D, Management of peripheral nerve injuries, Inter University Seminar, Antwerp University Hospital, April 25, 2025

Thijs D, Critical analysis of radiographic outcomes in corrective multilevel spinal surgery using planning software and patient specific implants, Annual Congress Belgian Society of Neurosurgery, Brussels, March 29, 2025

Thijs D, C. Hundepool, Peripheral nerve surgery: modern evolutions, LOK Neurochirurgie Antwerpen, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, June 18, 2024

Thijs D, Approach of lower back pain with and without irradiation, LOK Waasland, Beveren, February 27, 2024

Thijs D, Belgian Neurosurgical Trainees (proceedings), Annual Meeting of the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery, Brugge, March 11, 2023.

Thijs D, Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid endarterectomy presenting with ipsilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage and contralateral vertebral artery occlusion, Belgian Society of Emergency and Disaster Medicine Congress, Gent, March 25, 2022

Thijs D, Extradural opening of the cisterna magna in retrosigmoid craniotomy: a novel technique for efficient and safe posterior fossa relaxation, the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) annual meeting in Hamburg (virtual congress), October 3, 2021

Thijs D, Neurosurgery on the Intensive Care Unit, Vlaamse Vereniging voor Neurologie Lentesymposium, Berchem, April 23, 2022

Posterpresentaties  

D. Thijs, L. Couvreur, Surgical technique for lumbar en bloc resections:

different options with two illustrative cases, Belgian Society of Neurosurgery Annual Meeting, Brussels, , March 28-29, 2025

Hamelinck Z, Thijs D, Stevesyns D-T, Menovsky T, “Traumatic partial transection in the 'cauda equina of the arm': successful direct reversed end-to-side repair close to the neuromuscular junction”, European Association of Neurosurgical Societies 2024 annual congress, Sofia (BG), October 13-17 2024 & Belgian Association of Neurosurgery annual meeting, Namen, April 19-20 2024

Thijs D, Van Buyten J.-P., Van de Kelft E, Subtemporal approach to the foramen ovale for placement neuromodulation electrode: alternative when percutaneous Gasserian ganglion electrode placement doesn’t work, Belgian Association of Neurosurgery annual meeting, Namen, April 19-20 2024

Thijs D, Raymaekers V, Pauwels N, Feyen B, Menovksy T,  De Praeter M, Van de Kelft E, Total posterior en-bloc L1 spondylectomy for BCOR-altered sarcoma in 11 year old girl and fixation with a hybrid carbon-titanium screw-rod construct for optimal follow up and treatment, Belgian Association of Neurosurgery annual meeting, Namen, April 19-20 2024

Thijs D, Hamelinck Z, Menovsky T, “Extradural opening of the cisterna magna in retrosigmoid craniotomy: a technique for efficient and safe posterior fossa relaxation”, Belgian Society of Neurosurgery annual meeting, Brugge, March 10-11 2023

Thijs D, Jerjir A, Van de Kelft E, Van Buyten JP, “Percutaneously placed Gasserian ganglion neurostimulation electrode migration into the quadrigeminal cistern: pathophysiological hypothesis and report of successful repositioning”, Belgian Society of Neurosurgery annual meeting, Leuven, March 26, 2022

Boogaarts HD, Thijs D, Menovsky T, Endovascular Guided Superselective Indocyanine Green Videoangiography for Selecting Cortical Recipient Vessel in STA-MCA Bypass: a Case Report, presented at Bypass2020, Zurich (CH), January 8-10, 2020

Postgraduate Course in Clinical ElectrocardiographyCardiology UZA, 2013-2014

In a Heartbeat: How Your Life Can Change in One SecondProf. Dr. Jorens, EMSA Symposium, November 4, 2014

Human Model in Ultrasound Course4th International Fluid Academy Days, Hilton Antwerp, November 27, 2014

Surgery Seminar: Echo-Doppler in Kidney Transplant PatientsProf. Dr. De Greef, UZA, October 20, 2015

5th International Fluid Academy DaysHilton Antwerp, November 27-28, 2015

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Seminar: Children, Youth, and PoliceDr. Neves Ramos, ZNA Middelheim, February 16, 2016

Traumatology Seminar: Sports Accidents in the SnowTraumatology Department, UZ Leuven, February 25, 2016

Hip Surgery (Non-Arthroplasty)
MaNaMa Orthopedics Training, UZA, February 26, 2016

Collaboration Models in the Medical SectorEMSA Lecture, University of Antwerp, March 1, 2016

36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency MedicineThe Square, Brussels, March 14-18, 2016

Annual Meeting of the Belgian Society of NeurosurgeryPalace of the Academies, Brussels, March 19, 2016

Traumatology of the Axial Skeleton and Pelvis
MaNaMa Orthopedics Training, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, April 22, 2016

8th Antwerp Neurovascular MeetingUniversitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, May 2, 2016

Next Generation Sequencing: New Opportunities in Genomic MedicineProf. Dr. Mortier, Research Club Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, May 4, 2016

Fourth Skull Base Day – Unceiling the Cavernous Sinus
Sint-Augustinus, September 3, 2016

Hands-on Surgical Basic Techniques SeminarDr. Janssens, ZNA Jan Palfijn, September 6, 2016

Interprofessional Collaboration in HealthcareAssociation of Universities and University Colleges of Antwerp, March 6-10, 2017

Hands-on Cadaver Course in Thoracic Spine SurgeryBelgian Neurosurgical Spine Society, CHU Liège, March 24, 2017

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Degenerative and Tumoral Diseases of the SpineKU Leuven, April 28, 2017

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Pediatric and Congenital Pathology & Ethicolegal Issues
University of Antwerp, September 29, 2017

Hands-on Cadaver Course in Lumbar Spine SurgeryBelgian Neurosurgical Spine Society, CHU Liège, March 9, 2018

Annual Meeting of the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery
Provinciehuis Leuven, March 17, 2018

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Functional NeurosurgeryUC Louvain, April 27, 2018

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course, 10th EditionWashington (USA), September 20-21, 2018

Hands-on Cadaver Course in Cervical Spine SurgeryBelgian Neurosurgical Spine Society, CHU Liège, February 1, 2019

Annual Meeting of the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery
Provinciehuis Leuven, March 16, 2019

Hands-on Cadaver Course in Surgical Anatomy of the Leg in Relation to Nerve InjuriesLeiden University Medical Center (NL), March 22, 2019

Hands-on Microsurgery CourseBAU University, Istanbul (TR), May 2-4, 2019

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Traumatic Brain InjuryUZ Brussel, September 20, 2019

Hands-on Cadaver Course in Thoracic Spine SurgeryBelgian Neurosurgical Spine Society, CHU Liège, March 6, 2020

11th Antwerp Neurovascular MeetingUniversitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, May 18, 2020

London World Masters Tumour Symposium
Online, August 15-16, 2020

Annual Meeting of the Belgian Association of Neuro-OncologyOnline, December 11, 2020

International Brain Mapping CourseOnline, March 20-21, 2021

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery and EthicsOnline, April 30, 2021

The Masters 10th Annual Live World Course in Brain and Spine Tumour Surgery
Online, August 12-16, 2021

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Functional NeurosurgeryOnline, September 24, 2021

European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Part 2: Interventional TherapyOnline, November 8, 2021

13th Antwerp Neurovascular MeetingEdegem, December 13, 2021

Annual Meeting of the Belgian Society of NeurosurgeryOnline, June 5, 2021

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, OncologyUZ Gent, May 6, 2022

Cadaver Workshop on New Spinal Fracture Treatment and Carbon Composite SurgeryORSI Academy Melle, June 17, 2022

14th Antwerp Neurovascular MeetingEdegem, June 13, 2022

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Academic Hospital of the Université Libre de BruxellesSeptember 22, 2023

Mazor Spinal Robot Surgical Team TrainingORSI, Melle, January 9-10, 2024

15th Antwerp Neurovascular MeetingEdegem, March 4, 2024

Belgian Inter-University Seminar in Neurosurgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem
April 25, 2024

3rd Annual Mazor User MeetingLondon (UK), June 11-12, 2024

Nordic Spinal Deformities Society Annual MeetingCopenhagen (DK), August 21-24, 2024

European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) Annual CongressSofia (BG), October 13-17, 2024

ESSER Nerves: sarcoma and nerves, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
February 28, 2025

Annual Meeting of the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery, Brussels
March 28-29, 2025

2025 Intracranial Hypotension Conference
Rotterdam (NL), June 28-29, 2025

European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) Annual Congress
Vienna (AU), October 6-9, 2025

EuroSpine congress
Copenhagen (DK), October 22-24, 2025

Britisch Scoliosis Society & Nordic Spinal Deformities Society
London (UK), November 13-14, 2025