A Pioneering Surgical Triumph: Removing a Brain Tumour Through the Eye
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Ruvimbo Kaviya, a 40-year-old woman from Leeds, underwent a pioneering surgical procedure to remove a tumour located behind her eyes, a region traditionally considered inoperable. The tumour, a meningioma nestled in the space between the brain and the eyes, presented a significant challenge due to its delicate location. Conventional surgical approaches to this area typically involve removing a portion of the skull and manipulating the brain, posing a substantial risk of complications, including seizures. Ms. Kaviya’s case, however, marked a paradigm shift in neurosurgical practice.
A team of surgeons at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, led by neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh and maxillofacial surgeon Jiten Parmar, devised an innovative keyhole surgical technique, known as the endoscopic trans-orbital approach, to access and remove the tumour. This minimally invasive method involved accessing the tumour through Ms. Kaviya’s eye socket, eliminating the need for invasive cranial surgery. The team meticulously prepared for the procedure, practicing the technique on 3D models of Ms. Kaviya’s head and cadavers before performing the surgery in February 2024.
The endoscopic trans-orbital approach offered several advantages over traditional methods. By accessing the tumour through the eye socket, surgeons avoided the need to manipulate the brain, significantly reducing the risk of complications such as seizures. Furthermore, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure resulted in a smaller incision and faster recovery time for Ms. Kaviya. This groundbreaking surgery has paved the way for treating previously inoperable tumours in this challenging anatomical region.
Prior to the surgery, Ms. Kaviya experienced debilitating headaches, described as electric shocks to her face, which severely impacted her daily life. The pain was so intense that she readily agreed to the pioneering surgery, despite it being the first of its kind in the UK. Her family expressed initial skepticism, but Ms. Kaviya’s determination to overcome the debilitating pain and the potential life-threatening nature of the growing tumour convinced them of the necessity of the procedure.
Following the surgery, Ms. Kaviya experienced a remarkably swift recovery, returning home within days. Although she required three months off work to recover from double vision, a common side effect of the procedure, she eventually returned to her role as a stroke rehabilitation caregiver. The surgery left her with a barely noticeable scar near her left eye, a testament to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
This groundbreaking surgery signifies a remarkable advancement in neurosurgical techniques, offering hope to patients with previously inoperable tumours in the delicate area behind the eyes. The success of Ms. Kaviya’s case has laid the foundation for future applications of this minimally invasive approach, potentially transforming the treatment landscape for similar cases and improving patient outcomes. The pioneering work of the surgical team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has opened new doors in the field of neurosurgery, offering a less invasive and more effective treatment option for patients with complex brain tumours. The ability to perform such complex surgeries with minimal invasiveness represents a significant step forward in patient care, minimizing recovery time and improving overall quality of life.
