W B DeLong MD
Board Certified Neurosurgeon
509 295-6149
Dr. DeLong
Thoughtful, unbiased research and opinion.
Four decades of operative experience and insight.
Forensic Expertise
As a forensic scholar, Dr. DeLong offers objective advice and analysis for both plaintiff and defense cases. He is highly experienced in issues of standard of care and causation. Personal attention and communication are high priorities in working with his attorney clients.
In addition to applying high analytical standards, he is also experienced in the preparation and presentation of trial exhibits and will give you strong support in this area.
Education and Background
Dr. DeLong, a board certified neurosurgeon, received his medical degree in 1961 from Washington University Medical School. He took his general surgical training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and his neurosurgical residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center. He served as a neurosurgeon in the US Air Force during the Viet Nam war. Thereafter, he maintained a private clinical practice for over 30 years in San Francisco and was a member of the clinical faculty at UCSF.
Dr. DeLong retired from clinical practice in 2000, and has spent his professional time since then practicing forensic medicine and researching Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES - his forensic specialty). He developed a seminal meta-analysis on the timing of surgery in CES, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery:Spine 2008. Since then he has published several other articles concerning CES. (See the "References" page.)
Over four decades of neurosurgical clinical experience, med/legal consulting, research and medical writing.
Services:
- Case Review
- Expert Testimony
- Scholarly Medical Literature Review
- Exhibit Development
- Non Testifying Consultant
- 2nd Opinions
Early consultation enhances case planning and outcome.
509 295-6149
References
- CES articles by WB DeLong MD et al.
- Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine 2008.
- Delong WB, Polissar N, Neradilek B. Timing of surgery in cauda equina syndrome with urinary retention: meta-analysis of observational studies. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2008 Apr 1;8(4):305-20.
- Spine 2015. Controversy: Is emergent surgery the correct option for acute cauda equina syndrome caused by a disk lesion?
- Mahadevappa K1, Persi A, Nesathurai S. Acute cauda equina syndrome caused by a disk lesion: is emergent surgery the correct option? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 May 1;40(9):636-8.
- McLain RF1, Agrawal BM, Silverstein MP. Acute cauda equina syndrome caused by a disk herniation-is emergent surgery the correct option? Surgical decompression remains the standard of care. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 May 1;40(9):639-41.
- Comment: DeLong WB, Polissar NL, Neradilek MB, Laam LA. To the Editor: “Re: Controversy: Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome Caused by a Disk Lesion: Is Emergent Surgery the Correct Option?” by Mahadevappa et al; “Surgical Decompression Remains the Standard of Care,” by McLain et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Oct 15;40(20):E1120.
- Spine 2015. Does early surgical decompression in cauda equina syndrome improve bladder outcome?
- Srikandarajah N, Boissaud-Cooke MA, Clark S, Wilby MJ. Does early surgical decompression in cauda equina syndrome improve bladder outcome?. Spine. 2015 Apr 15;40(8):580-3.
- Comment: DeLong WB, Polissar NL, Neradilek MB, Laam LA. Does Early Surgical Decompression in Cauda Equina Syndrome Improve Bladder Outcome?: Comments on a Recent Study by Srikandarajah: et al. Spine. 2016 Nov 15;41(22):1772-5.
- World Neurosurgery 2016. Time to surgery and outcomes in cauda equina syndrome.
- Bydon M, Lin JA, De la Garza-Ramos R, Macki M, Kosztowski T, Sciubba DM, Wolinsky JP, Witham TF, Gokaslan ZL, Bydon A. Time to Surgery and Outcomes in Cauda Equina Syndrome: An Analysis of 45 Cases. World Neurosurg. 2016 Mar;87:110-5.
- Comment: DeLong WB, Polissar NL, Neradilek MB, Laam LA. A Letter to the Editor regarding, "Time to Surgery and Outcomes in Cauda Equina Syndrome: An Analysis of 45 Cases." Critique of Bydon et al. World Neurosurg. 2016 Sep;93:479-82.
- World Neurosurgery 2017. Timing of surgical intervention in cauda equina syndrome.
- Chau AM, Xu LL, Pelzer NR, Gragnaniello C. Timing of surgical intervention in cauda equina syndrome: a systematic critical review. World Neurosurg. 2014 Mar-Apr;81(3-4):640-50.
- Comment: DeLong WB, Polissar NL, Neradilek MB, Laam LA. Cauda Equina Syndrome: The Importance of Including Small Studies in a Meta-Analysis: Comment on" Timing of Surgical Intervention in Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Systematic Critical Review". Chau AM, Xu LL, Pelzer NR, Gragnaniello C. World Neurosurgery. 2017 Jan; 97:728-730.