*Incidence of Childhood Brain Tumor Is On The Rise*

Nationwide the incidence of childhood brain tumor is increasing. The pediatric neurosurgeons at Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas operated on over 50 children with brain tumors in 1999. They are treating the tumors using SurgiScopeŽ, a powerful new microscope that allows for shorter, more precise surgeries with fewer complications. It also enhances patient safety by helping the surgeon avoid critical structures. The microscope is one of only eight available in the United States.

Affectionately called "Charlotte" after the spider in the children's classic "Charlotte's Web," the microscope is attached to the ceiling in the operating room with long blue arms and a dark body, resembling a spider. The web it weaves, however, is a computer generated three-dimensional map that guides surgeons through delicate areas of the brain to find the most direct path to tumors. On Tuesday, February 29, at 10 a.m. we will give a demonstration of this unique, high tech surgical instrument for the media. Dr. Arthur E. Marlin, CEO of Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas and a pediatric neurosurgeon who uses the microscope, will conduct the session.

CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMORS

Childhood brain tumors are a diverse and unique group of tumors. Next to leukemia and lymphoma, they are the most common type of cancer found in children. The symptoms of a brain tumor in a child frequently differ from that of an adult. The child's nervous system is developing and surgery on the brain requires special consideration and care. Tumors in children act differently than adult brain tumors. The most common presenting symptoms will frequently be headaches, nausea and vomiting, a wobbly walk, a decline in school performance, and changes in vision. Frequently brain tumors will occur in children under the age of 7, and they are found more often in boys than girls.

"CHARLOTTE"

Charlotte, the SurgiScopeŽ is a robotic, computer-driven microscope that creates a three-dimensional reconstruction used in surgery. The SurgiScopeŽ provides robotic enhanced image guidance so that the surgeon can determine exactly where he or she is in the patient's brain. Patients undergo preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or computer tomography with specially designed markers that are placed on the patient's skin, coordinating these markers with internal and external landmarks on the Surgiscope's imaging workstations. The microscope can be guided robotically to the site the surgeon feels is the best approach to the tumor. During surgery the scope provides a three-dimensional image of the patient's head and the target is shown in relation to the patient's anatomy. The scope provides real time localization feedback and helps the surgeon navigate through complex anatomy and avoid critical and elegant structures thereby enhancing patient safety.

If you are interested in attending the demonstration of Charlotte, please contact Shirley Wills at 822-2378 (W) or 715-6934 (pager) or JoAnn King-Sinnett at 524-4401 (W) or 604-3013 (pager). We will meet in the lobby of the Methodist Children's Hospital at 10 a.m. The demonstration will last approximately one hour.