Hyderabad, Jan 6 (Representative) Showcasing revolutionary neuroinventions poised to redefine the landscape of neurology and neurosurgery, the 3-day 4th Global Neuroscience Conference of the Society for Image-Guided Neurointerventions (SIGN) began at Ramoji Film City here on Friday evening. This marks the first time the conference has been held in India after successful editions in the US and Europe. KIMS Hospitals brings together 125 neuroscience experts from 12 nations to deliberate on cutting-edge advancements in the field. Dr. Manas Panigrahi, the Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at KIMS Hospitals and a renowned neurosurgeon, highlighted three groundbreaking inventions discussed at the conference: The groundbreaking development showcased at the conference involves the use of ultrasound in treating certain types of tumors. While ultrasound has been a staple in diagnostics, ongoing clinical trials suggest its potential to destroy tumours without the need for surgery. This approach, expected to be available within the next two to three years, could offer an alternative to surgery and mitigate some of the side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Dr. Manas elaborated on the significance of ultrasound in neurotherapeutic treatments, emphasising its potential to directly target brain tumours. This technique, originally used in gynaecology and Parkinson’s disease treatment, is now being explored as a promising avenue for treating brain tumours. The highlight of the 3-day conference was the revelation of minute robots, approximately one centimetre in size, designed to eat tumours within the brain. Unlike traditional surgical methods, these capsule-sized robots are poised to transform neurosurgical treatments by providing a less invasive alternative. The robots, currently in the laboratory testing stage, are anticipated to be a viable treatment option within the next 10 years, pending successful clinical trials. Dr. Manas emphasised the potential impact of this technology on eliminating brain tumours with minimal harm to surrounding healthy cells.
The procedure involves a small incision, and the robot can precisely target and remove the entire tumour, akin to a sophisticated sewage clearance mechanism. Dr. Bollineni Bhaskar Rao, MD, KIMS Hospital, said, “The event holds immense promise, potentially revolutionising the landscape of neurosurgery. The application of ultrasound in treating brain tumours, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in stroke cases, and the revelation of capsule robots designed to eat brain tumours are truly paradigm-shifting.” The conference, organised by the Society for Image-Guided Neurointerventions Conference, delved into vast scientific debates on future technologies in neurology. With 74 speakers from the US, China, Australia, and European countries, the event provided a platform for experts to share insights and discuss anticipated changes in the neurosciences field over the next few years.