Brylene Williams is a brave little girl who was recently admitted to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

A growing brain tumour on the left hand side of her brain had caused her to have numerous and dangerous epileptic seizures for many years and doctors believed that the removal of the tumour could possibly stop or minimize her seizures.

The life-threatening tumour was positioned in a vital part of her brain called the motor strip. This longitudinal strip is not visible from the surface of the brain, making access to the tumour during surgery very difficult. The motor strip generates important impulses in the brain that cause movement of the leg, arm and foot.

Due to the nature of the tumour, doctors found it tough to differentiate between the brain tissue and the tumour itself. The use of the Neuro Navigation system helped doctors find the simplest, shortest and safest route to remove the tumour.

By utilizing facial images from an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), the Neuro Navigation system provides a way to pin-point the exact location of the tumour. This enables surgeons to operate with extreme precision, minimizing the risk of damaging other parts of the vulnerable brain tissue.

After a 5-hour operation Brylene was initially transferred to the ICU to recover from surgery. She was later transferred to a general surgical ward where a team of Occupational, Physio and Speech therapists helped her on a rehabilitation programme.

Since her successful operation Brylene has not had any seizures and is enjoying a full recovery at home with her family.
 

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