TP HCMMr. Khuong, 42 years old, had dizziness and tinnitus. The doctor discovered 4 tumors in the brain and spine. In one year, he conducted 3 tumor removal surgeries using artificial intelligence robots.
Mr. Khuong’s 3 Tesla MRI scan results at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City showed a tumor in the 4th ventricle measuring 3×3 cm, a tumor in the occipital region of the right hemisphere measuring 3×2 cm; Tumor 2×2 cm at the middle skull base and tumor at 2 lumbar vertebrae L3-L4 (cauda equina position) about 4×1.5 cm.
On April 20, Chu Tan Si, M.D., M.D. II, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Center, said that Mr. Khuong had an intramedullary meningioma (ependymoma), which is multifocal in nature and tends to Cell migration along the cerebrospinal fluid circulation.
“In many years of practice, this is one of the few cases of pain in the most complicated locations that I have encountered,” Dr. Tan Si said, adding that if treatment is delayed, the patient’s tumors will grow big. At this time, there is a high risk of new tumors appearing, compressing and damaging healthy brain tissue, spinal cord and surrounding neurological structures. The consequences cause many dangerous complications, threatening the patient’s life.
Doctors consulted, planned treatment carefully, and considered choosing surgery to remove the tumor in the 4th ventricle and right occipital region first. These are the two tumors that most affect the patient. After surgery, it is necessary to monitor the patient’s recovery before setting a date for surgery on other tumors. If not, the patient’s health will not be able to recover in time for the next surgery, and the risk of the disease progressing to a more severe level is also dangerous, according to Dr. Tan Si.
The doctor looked at photos of brain tumors before operating on Mr. Khuong. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
Mr. Khuong was prescribed surgical treatment to remove the tumors one by one.
The first surgery was in March 2023 with the goal of removing the tumor in the 4th ventricle and right occipital region as planned. Doctors use the Modus V Synaptive robot to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to access the tumor. This system helps the team clearly see the tumor in relation to healthy nerves and brain tissue on the same 3D image before and during the surgery. From there, choose a safe approach to the tumor, limiting impact on neighboring brain structures.
When approaching the tumor, the doctor used the Cusa ultrasound suction system to small, suction and completely remove 2 tumors in the 4th ventricle and the occipital region of the right hemisphere, preserving the human’s neurological function. sick.
The team operated on Mr. Khuong’s brain tumor using the Modus V Synaptive robot using AI. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
In September 2023, Mr. Khuong had a second surgery. This time, doctors applied the Keyhole brain surgery technique, only opening a 5 cm long incision along the patient’s right eyebrow line. The incision is small, just enough to reach the tumor at the middle skull base (suprasellar area), minimal invasiveness, and reduced impact on the brain. Completely remove the tumor with the Cusa ultrasonic suction cutting machine.
After surgery, Mr. Khuong had his nerve structure and healthy brain tissue preserved as much as possible, recovered quickly and was ready for the third surgery at the end of March 2024 to remove the spinal tumor.
According to Dr. Tan, the spinal tumor is located between the nerves at the end of the spinal canal, so during the surgery, the team used the Modus V Synaptive robot and the Neuro-Navigation nerve navigation system to proceed step by step. approach, dissect the tumor, preserve the nerves adjacent to and surrounding the tumor. Using the Cusa ultrasonic suction cutting system, shred and vacuum the remaining tumor, ensuring patient safety.
5 days after surgery, Mr. Khuong recovered his health well and could walk, eat, and live normally. When your health is stable, your doctor will prescribe radiotherapy to the whole brain and spinal cord to eliminate the risk of tumor cells floating or remaining in the cerebrospinal fluid, preventing new tumors from forming.
Cell biopsy results of 4 tumors were all determined to be intramedullary meningiomas. Doctor Tan Si said Mr. Khuong needed to conduct a molecular biology survey to assess the risk of genetic mutations. If unusual signs are detected, Mr. Khuong’s son will be screened and given appropriate instructions.