A consultant in Neurosurgery in Greater Manchester, with a specialist interest in pituitary and complex spine surgery, utilising minimally invasive techniques, notably endoscopy. Undertook Neurosurgical training in London, including specialist training in pituitary, skull base and spinal surgery at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Qualified to doctorate level and with numerous publications and international presentations.

Current Position:       

• Consultant in Neurosurgery, (Manchester, UK)
• Honorary Senior Lecturer (University of Manchester, UK)
• Honorary Senior Lecturer (Edge Hill University, Lancashire, UK)

Specialist Interests:   

•  Pituitary and oncology surgery
• Complex spinal surgery
• Minimally invasive techniques

• CCST in Neurosurgery - General Medical Council, UK, 2004 
• FRCS SN - Royal College of Surgeons London, 2003 
• MBChB (Hons) - Manchester University, 1996 
• PhD in Neuropharmacology - King’s College London, 1993 
• BSc (Hons) in Anatomy - Manchester University, 1990

After studying Medicine in Manchester, Mr Gnanalingham completed his Neurosurgical training in London. This included specialist training in Complex spinal surgery and Pituitary at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. He learned minimally invasive techniques at several centres in the UK and US.

He was appointed as a Consultant at the Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre at Salford Royal Foundation Trust (SRFT) in 2005. He is also an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Manchester.

His sub-speciality interests include pituitary, neurooncology and complex spine surgery, utilising minimally invasive techniques. He is the lead consultant for Pituitary surgery in Manchester and introduced the endoscopic approach to the region. With respect to the spine, Mr Gnanalingham has particular interests in degenerative spinal disease, spinal trauma, tumours, spinal arthroplasty and other motion preserving technologies. He has a preference for minimally invasive spinal approaches that minimise post-operative pain and speed up post-operative recovery.

In recognition of his expertise, Mr Gnanalingham is frequently invited to speak at national and international meetings and conduct workshops for spinal and pituitary disorders. SRFT is a national and international Visitation centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery, with regular visits from surgeons wishing to learn such ‘key hole’ surgical techniques. He offers an international fellowship in minimally invasive surgery. He has a strong interest in clinical and basic science research in Neuroscience, qualified to a doctorate level, with over 80 publications and international presentations.

• Principal investigator in a Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) funded study of ‘Cervical intervertebral disc degeneration: assessment by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and histology’, Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester (Mario Boni Research Grant; 21K Euros; 2012)

• Lead investigator in Manchester for an European Trial of Cervical disc replacement (2008-2010; Depuy)

• Lead investigator in Manchester for a pan European PRCT of Interspinous device  (2010-2012; Medtronic)

• Co-investigator in a pan European study of pituitary function in head injury patients and the impact of pituitary hormone replacement (£41K; Pfizer; 2008)

• Co-investigator in a study of pituitary function in patients with Subarachnoid haemorrhage and the impact of pituitary hormone replacement (£42K; Pfizer; 2008)

• Co-investigator in a study of the pathophysiology of cervical disc degeneration, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester (£90K; Johnson & Johnson; 2009-2012)

• Co investigator in a study of microbiological profile in Pituitary Apoplexy, Microbiology Research Group, University of Manchester (2009 to date)

• Manchester Pituitary Tumour Tissue Bank  (2006 to present)

• Manchester Intervertebral Disc Tissue Bank (2008 to present)

Publications on Pubmed:  (Click here) 

• Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship at SRFT (2006 onwards)

• Co-supervisor of PhD student in a study of the pathophysiology of cervical disc degeneration (2010-2013)

• Supervisor of MD on Cervical foraminotomies (standard Vs minimally invasive) (2007-8)

• Co-supervisor of MSc project on BHCG expression in pituitary adenomas (2007)

• Spinal Workshops for Neurosurgeons & Orthopaedic surgeons – Faculty member for several national and international workshops for minimally invasive surgery for cervical and lumbar disorders

• SRFT is a national and international Visitation centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery

• Pituitary Courses - faculty member for the annual course run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England on the 'Surgical Approaches to Pituitary lesions’ (2006)

• Faculty member – Cardiff Spinal Surgery Course, WIMAT (Welsh Institute for Minimally Access Therapy), Cardiff, UK  (2010)

• Faculty member – Cambridge British Neurosurgical Training Course (Tumours): Pituitary Tumour management & Transsphenoidal approach, Cambridge, UK – (2010 onwards)

• Faculty member – “Manchester Advanced Sinus Dissection Course” Cadaveric work shop at University of Manchester, UK  (2013, 2015)

• Faculty member – “Manchester Skull Base Dissection Course” Cadaveric work shop at University of Manchester, UK  (2017)

Publications on Pubmed:  (Click here) 

 PUBLICATIONS ON PUBMED:  (Click here)   

KEY PUBLICATIONS:

1. Humphreys GJ, Waqar M, McBain AJ, Gnanalingham KK (2017) Sphenoid sinus microbiota in pituitary apoplexy: a preliminary study. Pituitary (in press).
2. Giritharan S, Cox J, Heal CJ, Hughes D, Gnanalingham K, Kearney T (2017) The Prevalence of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Survivors of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage - Results from a Large Single Centre Study. Pituitary (in press).
3. Richardson SM, Ludwinski FE, Gnanalingham KK, Atkinson RA, Freemont AJ, Hoyland JA (2017) Notochordal and nucleus pulposus marker expression is maintained by sub-populations of adult human nucleus pulposus cells through aging and degeneration. Nature Scientific Reports (online)
4. Waqar M, McCreary R, Kearney T, Karabatsou K, Gnanalingham KK (2017) Sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening in the acute phase of pituitary apoplexy. Pituitary Aug; 20 : 441-449.
5. Davies BM, Tirr E, Wang YY, Gnanalingham KK. (2017) Transient Exacerbation of Nasal Symptoms following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Tumors: A Prospective Study. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. Jun;78 : 266-272.
6. Kyriacou A, Gnanalingham KK, Kearney T (2016) Lymphocytic hypophysitis: modern day management with limited role for surgery. Pituitary Apr 20 : 241-250.
7. Giritharan S, Gnanalingham KK, Kearney T (2016) Pituitary apoplexy - bespoke patient management allows good clinical outcome. Clinical Endocrinology (Oxf). 85 : 415-22.
8. Davies BM, Atkinson RA, Ludwinski F, Freemont AJ, Hoyland JA, Gnanalingham KK (2016) Qualitative grading of disc degeneration by magnetic resonance in the lumbar and cervical spine: lack of correlation with histology in surgical cases. British Journal of Neurosurgery. 21:1-8.
9. Davies, BM, Carr E, Soh C, Gnanalingham KK (2016) Assessing size of pituitary adenomas: a comparison of qualitative and quantitative methods on MR. Acta Neurochirurgica. 158:677-83.
10. Keiler A, Schmoelz W, Erhart S, Gnanalingham K (2014) Primary stiffness of a modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion cage with integrated screw fixation: cadaveric biomechanical study. Spine 39(17) : E994-E1000.
11. Zador Z, Coope DJ, Gnanalingham KK, Lawton MT (2014) Quantifying surgical access in eyebrow craniotomy with and without orbital bar removal: cadaver and surgical phantom studies. Acta Neurochirurgica. 156 : 697-702.
12. Abou-Zeid A, Palmer J, Gnanalingham KK (2014) Day Case Lumbar Discectomy – Viable option in the UK?  British J Neurosurgery.  28 : 320-3.
13. Zador Z, Gnanalingham KK (2013) Endoscopic transnasal approach to the pituitary - Operative technique and nuances. British Journal of Neurosurgery 27 : 718-26.
14. Zador Z, Gnanalingham KK (2013) Eyebrow craniotomy for anterior skull base lesions: how I do it. Acta Neurochirurgica. 155:99-106
15. Ludwinski FE, Gnanalingham K, Richardson SM, Hoyland JA (2013) Understanding the native nucleus pulposus cell phenotype has important implications for intervertebral disc regeneration strategies. Regenerative Medicine 8 : 75-87.
16. Gnanalingham KK, Davies BM, Balamurali G, Titoria P, Doyle P, Abou-Zeid A (2013) Improving levels of evidence in studies published in spinal journals from 1983 to 2011. British J Neurosurgery.  27 : 152-5.
17. Wang YY, Higham C, Kearney T, Davis J, Trainer P, Gnanalingham KK (2012) Acromegaly surgery in Manchester revisited - The impact of reducing surgeon numbers and the 2010 consensus guidelines for disease remission. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012 76:399-406
18. Zador Z, Abou-Zeid A, Wang YY, Gnanalingham KK (2012) Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) Approaches to the Posterior Thoraco-lumbar Spine. Part 1 & 2. [E-brain, 2012;  http://www.ebrainjnc.com/learning/course/view.php?id=80]
19. Wang YY, Zador Z, Gnanalingham KK (2011) Performing transsphenoidal approach to the sellar Part 1 & 2. [E-brain, 2011;  http://www.ebrainjnc.com/learning/course/view.php?id=82]
20. Zador Z, Wang YY, Gnanalingham KK (2011) Performing an eye brow craniotomy Part 1 & 2. [E-brain, 2011;  http://www.ebrainjnc.com/learning/course/view.php?id=80]
21. Wang YY, Thiryayi WA, Ramaswamy R, Gnanalingham KK (2011) Accuracy of surgeon’s estimation of sella margins during endoscopic surgery for pituitary adenomas: Verification using neuro-navigation. Skull base 21:193-200.
22. Wang YY, Srirathan V, Tirr E, Kearney T, Gnanalingham KK (2011) Nasal symptoms following endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery: assessment using the General Nasal Patient Inventory Neurosurgery Focus 30:E12.
23. Wang YY, Kearney T, Gnanalingham KK (2011) Low grade CSF leaks in endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery: Efficacy of a simple and fully synthetic repair with a hydrogel sealant Acta Neurochirurgica 153:815-22.
24. Leach P, Abou-Zeid A, Kearney T, Davis J, Trainer P, Gnanalingham KK (2010) Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: Evidence for an operative learning curve.  Neurosurgery 67:1205-12.
25. Richardson SM, Doyle P, Minogue BM, Gnanalingham KK, Hoyland JA (2009) Increased Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 10, Nerve Growth Factor and Substance P in the Painful Degenerate Intervertebral Disc. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 11:R126
26. Doyle PM, Waziq AT, Joshi A, Du Plessis D, Kearney T, Gnanalingham KK (2009) Beta human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-hCG) expression in pituitary adenomas: relationship to endocrine function and tumour recurrence. Pituitary 12 : 190-5.
27. Schaller B, Prabhakar H, Koerbel A, Gnanalingham KK, Cornelius JF, Sandu N, Ottaviani G, Filis A, Buchfelder M for the Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex Examination Group (TCREG) (2009) Review article: The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR): An update of the current knowledge. Journal of Neurosurgical Anaesthesiology.21 : 187-95.
28. Powell M, Gnanalingham KK, (2007) Editorial: Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery – Is it here to stay?. British Journal of Neurosurgery 21 : 315-7.
29. Gnanalingham KK, Tysome J, Martinez-Canca, J, Barazi SA (2006) Quality of clinical studies in Neurosurgical journals: Signs of improvement over three decades? J Neurosurgery 103 : 439-443.
30. Singh A, Gnanalingham KK, Casey A, Crockard A (2006) Quality of life assessment using the Short form-12 (SF12) questionnaire in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Comparison with SF36. Spine 31 : 639-43.
31. Gnanalingham KK, Bhattacharjee S, Pennington R, Ng J, Mendoza N (2005) The time course of visual field recovery following transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas: predictive factors for a good outcome. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry76 : 415-9.
32. Gnanalingham KK, Lafuente J, Brew S, Thompson D, Harkness W and Hayward R (2005) Percutaneous coagulation of choroids plexus to unblock the ventricular catheter using the Seldinger technique: Preliminary report. Surg Neurology 64 : 440-3
33. Datta G, Gnanalingham KK, Peterson D, Mendoza N, O’Neill K, Van Dellen J, McGregor A, Hughes SPF (2004) Back pain and disability following lumbar laminectomy – Is there a relationship to muscle retraction? Neurosurgery 54 : 1413-20.
34. Gnanalingham KK, Elsaghier A, Kibbler C, Shieff C (2003) The impact of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in a Neurosurgical unit: A growing problem. Journal of Neurosurgery 98 : 8-13.
35. Gnanalingham KK, Lafuente J, Thompson D, Harkness W and Hayward R (2002) Surgical procedures for posterior fossa tumours in children: Does craniotomy lead to fewer complications than a craniectomy? Journal of Neurosurgery 97 : 821-826.
36. Gnanalingham KK, Byrne EJ, Thornton A, Sambrook M and Bannister P (1997) Motor and cognitive function in Lewy Body Dementia: comparison with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 62 : 243-252
37. Gnanalingham KK, Byrne EJ and Thornton A (1996) Clock-face drawing to differentiate Lewy body and Alzheimer type dementia syndromes. Lancet 347 : 696-697
38. Gnanalingham KK, Hunter AJ, Jenner P, Marsden CD (1995) Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by benzazepine D-1 dopamine agonists with varying efficacies in the 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rat - relationship to circling behaviour. Biochemical Pharmacology 49 : 1185-1193
39. Gnanalingham KK, Hunter AJ, Jenner P, Marsden CD (1995) Selective dopamine antagonist pre-treatment on the antiparkinsonian effects of benzazepine D-1 dopamine agonists in rodent and primate models of Parkinson's disease - the differential effects of D-1 dopamine antagonists in the primate. Psychopharmacology 117 : 403-412
40. Gnanalingham KK, Erol DD, Hunter AJ, Smith LA, Jenner P, Marsden CD (1995) Differential antiparkinsonian effects of benzazepine D-1 dopamine agonists with varying efficacies in the MPTP-treated common marmoset. Psychopharmacology 117 : 275-286
41. Gnanalingham KK, Robertson RG (1994) The effects of chronic continuous versus intermittent levodopa treatments on striatal and extrastriatal D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors and dopamine uptake sites in the 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rat - an autoradiographic study. Brain Research 640 : 185-194
42. Gnanalingham KK, Robertson RG (1993) Chronic continuous and intermittent L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine treatments differentially affect basal ganglia function in rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions of the medial forebrain bundle: an autoradiographic study using [3H]-Flunitrazepam. Neuroscience 57 : 673-681