Vanderbilt Medical Center neurosurgeons and neurologists will be online demonstrating their 4-stage innovative technique used for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Deep brain stimulation therapy utilizes an implantable neuro-stimulator to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia.

Watch as Dr. Benjamin Carson performs risky brain surgery on young Payton to remove a brain tumor. Dr. Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery, is just one of the many reasons why Johns Hopkins Children's Center was recently ranked #1 in neurology and neurosurgery in America's Best Children's Hospitals 2008

Hydatid Cyst Removal from the brain

Ganglion Cyst Removal

Endoscopic Brain Surgery, third Ventriculostomy

Endoscopic Management of Brain Cyst, ForaminoPlasty

brain scans with arachnoid cyst, pre and post operative

Endoscopic fenestration of arachnoid cyst in middle fossa

Endoscopic fenestration of suprasellar cyst in a 4 years old girl

I call this technique deep rendering. I basically stacked graphical cross-sections (in this case, MRI rendering data), using proper increments and clip through them with the camera. This way I am able to explore all internal components in full 3D real-time.

I actually was able to figure out how to colorize different organs to help distinguish them apart from each other but couldn't get the shader to render real-time in Maya.

Credit: MRI scans courtesy of University of Washington Digital Anatomist Program

The complex circuitry interconnecting different areas in the brain, known collectively as white matter, is composed of millions of axons organized into fascicles and bundles. Upon macroscopic examination of sections of the brain, it is difficult to discern the orientation of the fibers. The same is true for conventional imaging modalities. However, recent advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) make such task possible in a live subject. By sensitizing an otherwise typical MRI sequence to the diffusion of water molecules it is possible to measure their diffusion coefficient in a given direction1. Normally, the axonal membrane and myelin sheaths pose barriers to the movement of water molecules and, thus, they diffuse preferentially along the axon2. Therefore, the direction of white matter bundles can be elucidated by determining the principal diffusivity of water. The three-dimensional representation of the diffusion coefficient can be given by a tensor and its mathematical decomposition provides the direction of the tracts3; this MRI technique is known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). By connecting the information acquired with DTI, three-dimensional depictions of white matter fascicles are obtained4. The virtual dissection of white matter bundles is rapidly becoming a valuable tool in clinical research.

Our journey begins with a transverse section of tightly packed axons as seen through light microscopy. Although represented as a two-dimensional "slice", we see that these axons in fact resemble tubes. A simulation of water molecules diffusing randomly inside the axons demonstrates how the membranes and myelin hinder their movement across them and shows the preferred diffusion direction --along the axons. The tracts depicted through DTI slowly blend in and we ride along with them. As we zoom out even more, we realize that it is a portion of the corpus callosum connecting the two sides of the brain we were traveling on and the great difference in relative scale of the individual axons becomes evident. The surface of the brain is then shown, as well as the rest of the white matter bundles--a big, apparently chaotic tangle of wires. Finally, the skin covers the brain.

With the exception of the simulated water molecules, all the data presented in the animation is obtained through microscopy and MRI. Computer algorithms for the extraction of the cerebral structures and a custom-built graphics engine make our journey through the brain's anatomy possible in a living person.

Micrograph courtesy of Dr. Christian Beaulieu, University of Alberta.
Music by Mario Mattioli.

References:
1. Stejskal, E.O., et al., J. Chem. Phys., 1965. 42:
2. Beaulieu, C., NMR Biomed., 2002. 15:435-55.
3. Basser, P.J., et al., J. Magn. Reson. B, 1994. 103:247-54.
4. Mori, S., et al., NMR Biomed., 2002. 15:468-80.

different aging and other skin spots can be treated succesfully with Co2 laser.

Endoscope-assisted pocket grafting of autologous collagen for correction of facial wrinkles

Breast reduction can relieve strain from shoulder straps, neck, back, and upper arms.
It can provide an uplift to help clothes fit and look better. Traditionally, insurance companies would provide benefits for a broad range of breast sizes and gram weight of tissue to be removed from each breast. At present most insurance companies limit authorization when the doctor plans to remove less than 500gm weight per breast. Since many patients present with symptoms in a D cup to DD cup, often, the very removal of over 500 grams weight may reduce the breasts too much. This amount of reduction may not be in harmony with body shape. Newer methods of breast assembly after reduction, will tighten things using internal brassiere techniques that also compact and reduce breast volume. Therefore, a gram weight reduction of 500gms in some patients combined with internal tightening efforts, could pose an over-reduction. With the unreliability of insurance support in some cases, it is best not to look solely at gram weight in the surgical planning of breast reduction. When excess skin and weight is removed, the improved location of the breasts on the chest will give marked relief of symptoms.

Surgery takes from 2 to 5 hours and can be done as an outpatient or with a brief overnight stay. When possible, no scarring other than around the areola can be planned which follows the Brazilian and French methods (Goes and Benelli). For very large reductions, a vertical method, or T pattern approach is offered. Recovery is a few days, with special care to avoid strain for 4 to 6 weeks. Some soreness may persist for a few weeks. The breasts can appear tight, swollen, and bruised at first, but will usually settle to their near final look by 6 weeks. There may be sutures to be removed in some cases. Costs relate to the severity of the sag, and weight of the breasts.

The operation can make a stunning change in body image, relief of upper body symptoms, and offer a cosmetic lift to naturally sloping breasts.

This video is a collection of selected cases of Plastic Surgery performed on children with congenital deformities.

Errata: Cleft Lip Case 2 has a center photo which belongs to case 1 at day of surgery.

Complete medical examination of the liver

Clinical case discussion for exams.
Useful for medical students and others.

A 54 year old man with a left leg tumor, a vascular malformation, undergoes resection (removal) of the tumor.

Bandaging a freshly above the knee amputated limb

Loyola Breast Examination part 2 Medical breast examination of a female from Loyola University,Chicago