philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

28Oct/12Off

3D camera for brain surgery a big leap forward

The Toronto doctor who pioneered what has become an international standard in neurosurgery is once again breaking new ground, becoming the first surgeon in Canada to use a 3D camera to remove a brain tumour.

Dr. Michael Cusimano made headlines 17 years ago when he became the first neurosurgeon in the world to remove tumours by endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that involves sending a video lens along with instruments through both nostrils and into the brain.

Earlier this month, Cusimano took that technique a big step forward in a surgical theatre at St. Michael’s Hospital, inserting a three-dimensional camera — barely larger than a speck of sand — up the nose of a 75-year-old man. The surgeon scooped out a benign but large walnut-sized tumour on the patient’s pituitary gland at the base of his skull. The tumour was pressing on his optic nerve, causing him to go blind.

The 3D tool he ultimately developed helps surgeons precisely manoeuvre their instruments in a tiny space. The better view enables surgeons to remove more of a tumour with reduced risk of error.

Back in the operating room, with the 3D endoscope buried about 10 centimetres in his patient’s nose and brain, Cusimano marvelled at the image on the screen.

It was as though his own eyes were in the patient’s brain, he says, noting the 3D view allowed him to more accurately and quickly resect the patient’s tumour.

See the full story here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1278688--3d-camera-for-brain-surgery-a-big-leap-forward

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