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Charles Matouk, MD

Professor in Neurosurgery
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Additional Titles

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Neurosurgery

Chief, Neurovascular Surgery

Director, Neurovascular/Endovascular Fellowship

About

Titles

Professor in Neurosurgery

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Neurosurgery; Chief, Neurovascular Surgery; Director, Neurovascular/Endovascular Fellowship

Biography

Dr. Charles Matouk, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, is a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with expertise in the open and endovascular treatment of vascular disorders of the brain and spinal cord. He completed his certification examination in neurosurgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2009. He completed a 2-year clinical fellowship in Endovascular Neurosurgery / Interventional Neuroradiology as well as a Vascular Biology Research Fellowship studying human vascular endothelial cells in health and disease at the University of Toronto. He has special interest in treating brain aneurysms, vascular malformations of the brain and spinal cord, carotid occlusive disease, and acute stroke syndromes. He also has an interest in general neurosurgery including adult-onset hydrocephalus.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellowship
University of Toronto (2011)
Residency
University of Toronto (2009)
MD
University of Calgary (1999)
BS
McGill University (1996)

Research

Overview

1. CLINICAL TRIALS

I am currently involved in the following national and international, multi-center clinical trials that are enrolling (or about to enroll) at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Brain Aneurysms / Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

ASTROH Trial. A multi-center, phase II randomized clinical trial of continuous low-dose IV heparin therapy in coiled low-grade aneurysmal SAH patients with significant hemorrhage burden. [My role: site-PI.]

NEWTON Trial. A multi-center, phase 3 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled efficacy and safety study comparing EG-1962 to standard of care oral nimodipine in adults with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. [My role: site-PI.]

Carotid Revascularization

CONFIDENCE Trial. A prospective, multi-center, single-arm, open-label clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Roadsaver carotid stent device used in conjunction with the Nanoparasol embolic protection system for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis in patients with elevated risk for adverse events following carotid endarterectomy. [My role: site-PI.]

CREST-2. Carotid revascularization for primary prevention of stroke (CREST-2) is two independent multicenter, randomized controlled trials of carotid revascularization and intensive medical management versus medical management alone in patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis. [My role: sub-investigator, interventionist.]

Intracranial Hemorrhage

MISTIE-III. The purpose of this trial is to determine the safety of using a combination of minimally invasive surgery and clot lysis with rt-PA to remove intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). [My role: site-co-PI, lead surgeon.]


2. ADVANCED IMAGING RESEARCH

My translational research is focused on advanced imaging of the critically ill neurovascular patient. Our overall aim is to improve the safety and quality of care rendered to patient's with cerebrovascular disease.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Clinical Trial; Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; Endothelium, Vascular; Neurosurgery; Radiology

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Charles Matouk's published research.

Publications

2024

Clinical Trials

Current Trials

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • honor

    McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine Medical Scientist Training Fellowship

  • honor

    Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Research Fellowship

  • honor

    American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) / Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) Research Fellowship

Clinical Care

Overview

When he was a medical student, Charles Matouk, MD, met a patient with rapidly progressive dementia and weakness on the right side of his body. He recalls being “astonished” when the patient’s symptoms were fully reversed within a few weeks of having an endovascular procedure in his brain to disconnect an abnormal blood vessel (a vascular malformation) that had been causing the problem. The patient was cured. This experience was so memorable to Dr. Matouk that it inspired his decision to pursue a specialty in neurovascular surgery.

Now the chief of neurovascular surgery at Yale Medicine, Dr. Matouk has expertise in brain aneurysms, vascular malformations of the brain and spinal cord, carotid occlusive disease, acute stroke syndromes and adult-onset hydrocephalus. “In medicine today, a lot of the work that doctors do is either preventative or palliative,” Dr. Matouk remarks. “However, in neurosurgery we are able to use simple, minimally invasive procedures that can actually change everything for a patient. Their disease can be cured.”

As a surgeon, Dr. Matouk focuses on treating each patient as a person. “I hope that what I can provide patients is the opportunity to tell me their story and concerns,” he says. “It’s a partnership. My fundamental role is to help patients make an informed decision that’s right for them.” To help patients understand their conditions and treatment options, Dr. Matouk likes to show them the radiology pictures of their brain, and to sketch out what will happen during the procedure. He often encourages patients to go home and think about the information presented before making a decision to proceed.

In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Matouk is an assistant professor of neurosurgery and of radiology & biomedical imaging. He conducts clinical research on advanced imaging to help determine which aneurysms and vascular malformations are higher risk and should be prioritized for treatment, and which can be watched safely overtime.

Clinical Specialties

Neurosurgery

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Neurological Surgery

    Certification Organization
    Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of CANADA
    Original Certification Date
    2009

Yale Medicine News

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Contacts

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