U. brain surgeons propose new techniques

University neuroscientists presented a summary of their current research on strokes and brain cancer at an informal lunch yesterday. Assistant Professor of Neurology Eric Raps and Assistant Professors of Neurosurgery Robert Hurst and Eric Zager have worked together in developing and implementing a new treatment for stroke victims called thrombolysis. The treatment involves using a microscopic catheter to inject medicine directly into the patient's blocked artery. The medication then dissolves the blood clot and restores blood flow to the brain. According to Zager, thrombolysis can lead to significant neurological recovery. "I would say that the majority of the patients have improved neurologically," he said. "Some have made dramatic recoveries." But the stroke must be identified early in order for the treatment to be effective. Areas of the brain begin to die after seven hours of blood flow deprivation, Hurst said. Raps, Hurst and Zager head an early response stroke team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, a group which intervenes as early as possible to prevent permanent brain damage in stroke victims. "The goal [of the team] is to have a neurologist, a neuroradiologist and a neurosurgeon involved in the care of every stroke victim," Raps said."It is especially important for the thrombolysis cases [because] you have to be prepared to deal with the side effects." The side effect of the treatment doctors are most concerned with is bleeding in the brain. According to Raps, University doctors have used thrombolysis on 16 patients with varying types of strokes. In addition, they have developed innovative treatment techniques for patients with brain cancer. At the luncheon, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery Kevin Judy and Radiologic Technologist Kimberly Scanlan presented a new device with which neurosurgeons can more effectively locate a brain tumor in the operating room. The so-called "magic wand" consists of a metal arm with a probe at the end of it which is connected to a computer. When the surgeon touches the probe to the brain, the computer shows where the tip of the probe is in relation to the tumor, Judy said. The location appears on a reconstructed image of the patient's brain scan. The "magic wand" is extremely helpful in the process of surgically removing brain tumors, Judy added. "It is a useful instrument for keeping me out of trouble," Judy said. "It keeps [me] from getting lost in the brain [and] from damaging normal structures." Assistant Professor of Cancer Research Stephen Eck also discussed gene therapy and the way it can be used to treat brain cancer. Gene therapy presents an advantage over conventional chemotherapy in that it will not lead to the damage of normal cells, Eck added. University scientists hope to begin patient trials early next year, which will focus initially on the safety of the treatment, Eck said. "It's clearly the most promising therapy that there is out there," he added.