SUMMARY
Anthony L. Mikula, M.D., is a fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeon whose research centers on spinal tumors and complex spinal deformity, with an emphasis on improving surgical durability and patient function. His work examines tumors of the spinal cord, surrounding neural structures and spinal column, including both primary and metastatic disease. He also studies adult spinal deformity conditions — such as cervical deformity, scoliosis, kyphosis and revision spine pathology — examining how structural alignment and bone quality influence outcomes.
Dr. Mikula integrates clinical outcomes research with translational collaboration to advance spinal care. He uses imaging‑derived metrics, multicenter datasets and surgical innovation to identify predictors of complications and optimize treatment strategies. His work aims to refine operative techniques and perioperative decision‑making to reduce failure rates and improve long‑term outcomes. Through these efforts, he contributes to a deeper understanding of risk factors for mechanical complications, fractures and neurological outcomes, while advancing patient‑specific planning tools — including 3D modeling, alignment strategies and custom rods — to enhance precision in spine surgery.
Focus areas
- Spinal tumor outcomes research. Using multicenter clinical datasets, Dr. Mikula investigates predictors of progression, mechanical failure and neurological outcomes in primary and metastatic spinal tumors. The goal of this work is to improve surgical timing, extent of resection and integration with adjuvant therapies.
- Adult spinal deformity optimization. Dr. Mikula studies alignment parameters, fixation strategies and construct design to reduce complications such as junctional failure and loss of correction. This work addresses a critical gap in achieving durable outcomes for patients undergoing long‑segment spinal reconstruction for cervical and thoracolumbar deformities.
- Bone quality and imaging biomarkers. Dr. Mikula applies quantitative imaging measures — including Hounsfield units — to estimate spine-specific bone density and predict outcomes, including the risk of mechanical complications. Through this research, he seeks to improve patient selection as well as risk stratification and guide perioperative bone health optimization.
- Advanced surgical planning techniques. Dr. Mikula develops and evaluates tools such as 3D-printed models and patient-specific instrumentation to enhance preoperative planning and intraoperative precision for complex spinal tumor resections and deformity correction.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Mikula's research helps healthcare professionals make better treatment choices for patients with serious spine conditions. These include tumors, scoliosis, flat back deformity, neck deformity, and conditions that may need revision spine surgery. His work helps find out which patients are more likely to have complications, so surgeons can choose the safest, most effective approach from the start. Better planning and improved surgical methods mean fewer patients need a second operation. They also have less chronic pain in the future. Understanding bone strength and tumor behavior also helps tailor care to each patient. The goal of this work is to help patients heal faster, keep them moving and independent, and improve their overall quality of life after spine surgery.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic:
- Director of curriculum, Mayo Clinic Department of Neurologic Surgery, 2025-present.
- Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship Award, 2024.
- Burton M. Onofrio, M.D. Best Paper in Spine Research, 2023, 2024.
- David G. Piepgras Award for Excellence in Neurosurgery, 2023.
- Resident Teacher of the Year Award, 2023.
- Resident Research Award – Top Paper of the Year, Department of Neurologic Surgery, 2022.
- Top Oral Presentation, Gattle Neurosurgery Research Symposium, Department of Neurologic Surgery, 2022.
- Member, International Spine Study Group, 2025-present.
- Member, Education Committee, Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, 2025-2026.
- Best Abstract Presentation, North America Fellows Forum, AO Spine, 2024.
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons:
- Charles Kuntz Scholar Award, AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024.
- J.A.N.E. Award for Top Abstract, AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves Annual Meeting, 2023.
- Resident Scholarship Award, Cervical Spine Research Society, 2021.
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health:
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, 2017.
- Research Honors, 2017.
- Mark Gichert Memorial Award in the Neurosciences, 2017.
- Jim Walter Bradke Memorial Award, 2017.