Surgeons Remove Spinal Tumor via Eye Socket in Medical Breakthrough

A spinal tumor refers to the growth of an abnormal mass of cells surrounding or within your spinal column or cord. For the majority of spinal tumor removals, the surgeons cut through the neck or back to gain access to the spine. However, a breakthrough spinal surgery has recently proven successful. The spinal tumor was removed through the eye socket, the first of its kind in the world. The team that performed the surgery was led by Dr. Labib, a neurosurgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center. They managed to successfully remove a cancerous tumor that was wrapped around the 19-year-old girl’s spine. 

Spinal Tumor Removed Through Eye Socket

While the transorbital approach is not entirely new, surgeons usually use it to gain access to tumors that are growing in the sinuses or brain. This time, however, they used this approach to remove a spinal tumor. The young woman had a bone tumor known as a chordoma growing in her spine. This is a very rare type of tumor, with only around 300 diagnosed in the U.S. annually. According to Dr. Labib, “The tumor was wrapped around the patient’s spine and spinal cord and had invaded the vertebrae in her neck, just below the base of the skull. By going through the bottom of the eye socket, we were able to remove a tumor that otherwise would have been very difficult and very risky to address.”

They were unable to use the usual method of entering from her back, as it could have potentially caused damage to the spine. In this manner, they were able to avoid disturbing vital structures, such as blood vessels, nerves, and the eustachian tube. Dr. Labib added, “We created a huge surgical corridor that enabled us to get in front of the spinal cord. It was a straight shot.” Dr. Labib developed this technique after exploring the transorbital approach using cadavers at the Department of Neurosurgery’s Skull Base 360° Laboratory. He published his preliminary research in 2023 in the Journal of Neurosurgery, referring to the eye socket as “the third nostril.” 

The Patient of the Transorbital Spinal Tumor Surgery

The patient, Karla Flores, had three surgeries in total, as well as additional proton radiation therapy. According to Labib, “Karla is doing very well. I am happy that through a very coordinated multidisciplinary team effort, she had such a successful outcome.” According to Flores, she first began to experience double vision when she was 18 and was unable to pinpoint the cause of the issue. She eventually went to see an ophthalmologist, who then subsequently referred her to Dr. Labib. Flores stated, “I was so relieved when I met Dr. Labib and the team at the University of Maryland Medical Center. They listened and took me seriously. Learning about the spinal and brain tumors was terrifying, but I am so grateful that the doctors were able to remove them. I’m slowly recovering, and with any problem I have, they help me.” Flores now plans to study to become a manicurist.

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Spinal Tumor Removal Without Scars

In other transorbital surgeries, the surgeons need to make incisions above or next to the eye. However, in this new procedure, the team cut through the transparent membrane covering the eye called the conjunctiva. They also needed to make an incision inside the mouth of the patient. A pathway needed to be carved out so that the surgical tools could be inserted to reach the cervical spine. According to facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Vakharia, they wanted to “develop a surgical plan where there would be no external scars and it would be impossible to tell that the patient even had surgery … It was amazing to have had the opportunity to be part of a surgery that had never been done before.” 

Ultimately, it took a dedicated team of specialized physicians to provide the patient with the comprehensive care she needed. Dr. Labib also noted that the operation was largely successful because he had the opportunity to practice on cadavers many times. He added, “The fact that people are willing to donate their bodies to science enabled us to do this and saved the life of this young woman.” Medical experts are still unsure what exactly causes chordomas. 

The Bottom Line

A spinal tumor removed through the eye socket represents a major achievement in modern science. Through adapting the transorbital approach, the team was able to use innovative precision and cumulative experience to transform the outcome of the young patient. Not only was the operation life-saving, but they were also able to do it with minimal risk of complication and avoided the scarring typically associated with such surgery. The spinal tumor removal surgery was led by Dr. Labi, working in collaboration with Dr. Vakharia, Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Dr. Andrea M. Hebert, a head and neck surgeon and an Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UMSOM. 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.

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