Cutting-edge microscope a game changer for local neurosurgery patient Susan

When Susan Barlow was given the shock diagnoses of two brain tumours, she assumed she would need to travel to Brisbane to receive life-saving treatment, but with the help of a brand-new $1.2 million operating microscope at Townsville University Hospital she was able to stay with her family and witness the birth of her grandchild.
“I was having bad headaches and stabbing pains that I thought were just related to stress from work,” Mrs Barlow said.
“My husband insisted I get checked to ‘make sure it wasn’t a brain tumour’ and then it turned out to be a serious situation and a quick turnaround to go into surgery.”
Susan was quickly rushed into surgery where her surgeon used the new microscope to remove two brain tumours located in tricky spots.
Susan’s neurosurgeon Dr Jolyn Khoo said although Susan’s case was unique, the surgery was a success with the help of the advanced features of the microscope.
“Susan had two tumours around the cerebellum that were very close together but were still separate lesions, which is quite rare,” Dr Khoo said.
“We were able to remove the smaller tumour through the cavity of the larger tumour thanks to the optics and features of the new microscope, and with both tumours successfully removed, we could send Susan home to her family.”
Townsville Hospital and Health Service director of neurosurgery Dr Eric Guazzo said this piece of technology was a game changer for neurosurgery patients like Susan.
“The Zeiss Kinevo microscope hosts a whole range of new complex applications and possibilities in microsurgery on the brain and spine,” Dr Guazzo said.
“This includes GPS navigation, advanced optics, automatic self-focus, blood vessel interoperative testing, and special dye application for the discovery of tumours.
With more than 800 neurosurgery patients treated at Townsville University Hospital every year, Dr Guazzo said the new microscope would improve patient outcomes.
Susan said despite everything happening so quickly she was grateful to have access to advanced care close to home.
“I am so grateful that I was able to have this surgery in Townsville and have such a successful outcome without needing to travel to another hospital away from my family,” she said.
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“This was especially valuable with the birth of my granddaughter being so close to my surgery date.”
“That is something I could not and would not miss.
"I honestly didn’t think I was sick, but the experience has shown me on a very personal level just how crucial it is to have advanced equipment available locally so that people like me can stay with their families in such a scary time.”