Unusual surgery: Medical professionals successfully extract a spinal tumor through a patient's eye in a groundbreaking procedure.
Emma Johnson, an 18-year-old resident of Maryland, had been suffering from double vision when she sought medical help. After numerous consultations, she was finally diagnosed with a rare, malignant tumor called a chordoma, wrapped around her brain stem and upper cervical spine.
The skilled neurosurgeon, Dr. Mohamed Labib, from the University of Maryland Medical Center, developed a unique surgical strategy to address this challenging condition. Labib's innovative approach involved an unconventional route called the "third nostril" or transorbital approach. This method allowed the surgical team to bypass critical neurovascular structures and access the tumor from below the eye socket.
Chordomas are extremely rare, with around 300 diagnoses per year in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They are slow-growing tumors that can put pressure on nearby nerves. In Johnson's case, multiple cranial nerves were affected.
Upon performing an MRI before the first surgery, Labib and his team discovered an unexpected twist: Johnson had another chordoma located at the top of her spine, wrapping around her spinal cord and invading the vertebrae in her neck. If unnoticed, this second tumor could have caused paralysis.
Despite the odds, Labib decided to proceed with the planned procedure to remove the first chordoma. The tumor was successfully removed through traditional neurosurgery and an additional procedure accessed via her nose.
In the interim between the two procedures, Labib and his team spent extensive time studying Johnson's scans and developing a plan to approach the second tumor effectively. Approaching it through her nose again wouldn't provide enough space for the operation. Surgery through her back was also not an option due to the tumor's location. Some colleagues even suggested that there was nothing they could do.
However, Labib refused to give up. He came up with a novel idea: approaching the tumor through the side of her eye. While this method had been used in a different context previously, it was a first for removing a spinal tumor via this pathway. After weeks of meticulous planning and practice in the neurosurgery laboratory, Labib, together with Dr. Kalpesh T. Vakharia and Dr. Andrea Hebert, executed the groundbreaking operation.
The surgery took approximately 20 hours, during which, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Vakharia removed parts of Johnson's eye socket and cheekbone, creating an access point for Labib. Once the tumor was reachable, they removed it and reconstructed Johnson's eye socket and cheek using a titanium plate and bone from her hip.
After removing the chordoma, Johnson underwent radiation treatment to ensure no cancer cells remained in her body. Spinal surgery was also performed to stabilize the affected vertebrae. Today, nearly a year after completing treatment, Johnson has no evidence of cancer and is undergoing rehabilitative therapy to recover from nerve damage.
Johnson remains hopeful about her future, expressing her desire to continue schooling and become a manicurist. Though her biggest challenge now is medical bills, she remains optimistic, reminding herself to take one day at a time and cherishing each accomplishment along the way.
Labib believes the "third nostril" approach opens a new avenue for addressing difficult-to-reach tumors in the upper cervical spine. From this pioneering case, it can be inferred that this method reduces trauma to surrounding tissues and critical neurovascular structures, offers improved visualization, and minimizes risks to airway functions, swallowing, and speech.
- The breaking news about Emma Johnson, diagnosed with a rare and malignant tumor called chordoma, is gaining attention in the health and wellness sector.
- In light of the unique surgical approach used to address Johnson's case, there's a buzz in the medical-conditions and science community about the potential benefits of the "third nostril" method for treating similar health issues.
- The sports world is also showing interest in the story, as mixed-martial-arts enthusiasts contemplate the possibilities of this innovative technique being applied to complex injuries in athletes.
- Law experts are discussing the implications of this medical breakthrough, particularly how it might challenge existing legal guidelines on patient rights and the responsibilities of healthcare providers.
- As media outlets cover Johnson's story and celebrate her resilience in the face of adversity, they're also highlighting the importance of access to affordable healthcare and the financial burden that many cancer patients experience during their treatment journey.
