Pune: Tumor located within the delicate spinal cord of a 38-year-old woman was removed using D-Wave technology by a team of doctors in Pune. With no post-operative impairments and complete motor functioning in all limbs, the patient has completed a full recovery.
The female patient is a resident of Baner. She had approached the doctors with a complaint of with severe neck pain. The pain was significantly impacting her daily life, and she also experienced disturbances in walking and limitations in daily activities.
After the diagnosis, the MRI scan revealed a 7cm x 3cm ependymoma, a benign tumor located within the delicate spinal cord. Due to the tumor's size and location, complete removal of tumor was important to prevent future complications. However, the surgery posed a significant risk of postoperative neural deficits, potentially affecting limb function quadriplegia or even respiratory control.
Knowing the criticality of the case, the surgical team at Manipal Hospital Baner used D Wave technology and CUSA (Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator) to increase the probability of success. The tumor was situated within the delicate spinal cord, delicately entangled with important nerve fibers that regulates both limbs and breathing. Removing the benign tumor completely was important to prevent future issues like recurrence. However, this carried a high risk of postoperative neural deficits, potentially leading to weakness in limbs or even respiratory paralysis.
Dr. Amit Dhakoji, Head of the Department and Consultant Neurosurgeon, Manipal Hospital, Baner said, “This case highlights the tremendous progress in spinal surgery that has allowed us to treat such challenging cancers. Using a D wave electrode for intraoperative monitoring was part of this surgery as it helped us receive real-time feedback on patient’s motor performance. We could modify the technique and reduce the possibility of injuring important nerve fibers by keeping an eye on nerve activity. Also, high-powered microscopes allowed for a clear, magnified image of the tumor and its surroundings. This made it possible to remove the tumor in a more targeted and controlled manner.”
The entire team including Dr. Amit Dhakoji (neurosurgeon), Dr. Shrey Kumar Shah (neurosurgeon), anesthetist, and technologist contributed to this operation.