Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old customer services manager from Bedfordshire, underwent surgery at University College London Hospital to remove an 11mm non-cancerous tumor from his pituitary gland. The procedure marked the first time a patient received real-time artificial intelligence assistance during brain surgery. Hibbert had experienced a fall and seizure approximately 18 months before the operation, which led to the discovery of the tumor. As the growth expanded, it began pressing on his optic nerves, causing his peripheral vision to narrow and creating symptoms including fatigue and dizziness.
The tumor’s location presented significant surgical challenges due to its proximity to the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, and the optic nerves controlling vision. Surgeons accessed the tumor by inserting an endoscope through the patient’s nose to reach the base of the skull. The procedure carried complication risks, including a 25–50% chance of incomplete tumor removal and a 0.5–2% chance of injuring a major blood vessel. To mitigate these risks, surgeons employed a specialized AI tool developed by University College London researchers and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Google.
The AI system analyzed live video feeds during surgery in real time, tracking surgical instruments and identifying the locations of blood vessels and nerves likely to be present in the operating field. The technology functioned similarly to facial recognition systems but was trained to recognize anatomical structures. Researchers had developed the system using hundreds of videos of pituitary tumor removal procedures, during which they carefully marked vessels and nerves to teach the AI to identify these critical structures. Prof Hani Marcus, who participated in the procedure, noted that the AI had been trained on more operations than most surgeons encounter in their careers.
Surgeons maintained full control throughout the operation, with the AI serving as an assisting tool rather than making autonomous decisions. Following the surgery, Hibbert reported significant improvements in his vision and overall health. Within eight weeks, he noted his eyesight was improving progressively and that his energy levels had returned to normal. The research team expressed satisfaction with the initial real-world application and indicated plans to conduct larger-scale trials of the technology.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI