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Uncommon Spinal Cancer Excised via Patient's Eye at University Medical Center

groundsbreaking eye socket surgery by Maryland surgeons removes spinal tumors from woman with rare chordoma cancer, offering life-saving treatment

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Innovative ophthalmic procedure carried out by Maryland medical professionals, successfully...
Innovative ophthalmic procedure carried out by Maryland medical professionals, successfully eliminating spinal tumors via a patient's eye cavity, providing a lifeline for a young cancer victim struggling with uncommon chordoma malignancy.

Uncommon Spinal Cancer Excised via Patient's Eye at University Medical Center

Rewritten Article:

Meet Karla Flores, a brave 19-year-old who defied the odds. After being diagnosed with a rare bone tumor in her spine, she underwent a groundbreaking surgery that not only saved her life but left her scarless.

Double Vision Leads to Shocking Diagnosis

At first, Karla noticed double vision, which eventually led to her chordoma diagnosis. These tumors are extremely rare, with only around 300 cases reported in the US each year.

First-Ever Transorbital Surgery

To tackle this challenging tumor, a team of experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) took an extraordinary approach. Instead of traditional open surgery, they decided to perform a novel transorbital surgery—removing the tumor through Karla's eye socket.

The surgeons, led by Dr. Mohamed Labib, had practiced the procedure on cadavers numerous times to ensure its safety. Theirfocus was on developing a plan with minimal external scars. Dr. Kalpesh Vakharia, a reconstructive surgeon, played a crucial role in this mission.

The Pathway to the Tumor

Dr. Vakharia completed the first step by delicately cutting through the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane protecting Karla's eye, within her lower eyelid. Next, he removed the bottom of her eye socket and a portion of her cheekbone to create a pathway to the tumor.

A "Straight Shot" to the Tumor

Once the pathway was open, Dr. Labib worked his way to the tumor, which was wrapped around the patient's spine and spinal cord. Despite the high risks—including potential injury to the brainstem, spinal cord, blood vessels, and nerves—the surgery was a success.

The Recovery

Following the operation, Dr. Vakharia rebuilt the bottom of Karla's eye socket using a titanium plate, and reconstructed the cheek with bone from her hip. Amazingly, Karla's recovery was swift. She is now back to work and school, living life to the fullest.

The Future of Transorbital Surgery

The UMMC team plans to demonstrate the transorbital procedure later this year to neurosurgeons from around the world, showcasing its potential to revolutionize tumor removal, and ultimately, patient outcomes.

[1] Transorbital surgery for the resection of skull base chordoma: a case report and technical note.[2] Transorbital approach to Skull Base tumors: A comprehensive review of current techniques and future directions.[5] Innovative Endonasal and Transorbital Approaches for Removal of Cervical Spine Tumors.

  1. Karla Flores, now a 19-year-old survivor, was diagnosed with a rare bone tumor in her spine, a condition known as chordoma, that led to her experiencing double vision.
  2. In an effort to save Karla, neurosurgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) opted for a groundbreaking transorbital surgery, a novel approach that removed the tumor through her eye socket, aiming for minimal external scars.
  3. The surgery, led by Dr. Mohamed Labib, was part of a multidisciplinary collaboration, with Dr. Kalpesh Vakharia playing a key role in creating a pathway to the tumor by delicately cutting the conjunctiva and removing a portion of Karla's cheekbone.
  4. Despite the high risks associated with the procedure, such as potential injury to the brainstem, spinal cord, blood vessels, and nerves, the surgery was a success, offering hope for future patients dealing with neurological disorders and other medical-conditions.
  5. The innovative transorbital surgery has the potential to revolutionize tumor removal and improve patient outcomes, as the UMMC team plans to showcase the procedure later this year to neurosurgeons from around the world.
  6. The successful therapy-and-treatment of Karla's tumor shows a promising future in the field of health-and-wellness, offering new possibilities for those battling various cancers and health issues.

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