In UK medical first, 40-year-old Ruvimbo Kaviya has become the first patient to have a brain tumor successfully removed through her eye socket using minimally invasive surgery. This innovative procedure took place at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) in February 2024, marking a major advancement in brain tumor treatment.
Ruvimbo, a nurse and mother of three from Leeds, began experiencing severe headaches as early as February 2022. Initially, she thought it was a dental issue, but a visit to the dentist ruled that out. Her worsening pain led her to seek medical help at LGI, where an MRI scan revealed meningiomas, a type of brain tumor.
These tumors were located near her brain stem and behind her left eye in an area called the cavernous sinus. Tumors in this region are typically considered inoperable due to the difficulty of accessing them. Ruvimbo described the diagnosis as shocking and the period as highly stressful.
“It felt like an electric shock on my face,” Ruvimbo recalled. “I couldn’t even touch my skin, eat, or brush my teeth. The pain was unbearable.”
Faced with limited options, surgeons at LGI decided to attempt a new surgical technique called the endoscopic transorbital approach. This procedure uses an endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera—to remove tumors through a tiny incision.
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“This surgery was my best chance,” Ruvimbo said. “The tumor was growing, and I had to take the risk. I stayed optimistic, hoping it would work.”
The surgery team, led by neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh and maxillofacial surgeon Jiten Parmar, made a small 1.5 cm incision near Ruvimbo’s eye. Using an endoscope, they carefully accessed the tumor without opening her skull or disturbing her brain.
The procedure lasted just three hours, and Ruvimbo was walking around the same day. She spent only two days in the hospital and experienced minimal side effects, apart from mild double vision for three months.
“I was amazed by how quickly I recovered,” Ruvimbo shared. “There’s only a tiny scar near my eye, and I feel perfectly fine now.”
Traditional surgeries for similar tumors often involve large incisions, removing part of the skull, and significant recovery time. The new minimally invasive approach avoids these complications, offering patients a faster recovery and fewer risks.
A key part of the surgery’s success was the use of advanced 3D modeling technology. Biomedical engineer Lisa Ferrie created a 3D replica of Ruvimbo’s anatomy, allowing surgeons to practice the procedure multiple times before the actual operation.
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“This technology gave us a detailed view of her anatomy and helped us prepare with precision,” Ferrie explained. “It’s incredible to see how this planning contributed to the success of the surgery.”
The success of Ruvimbo’s surgery has opened doors for other patients with tumors previously considered inoperable. Leeds General Infirmary has since performed similar operations, giving hope to many across the UK.
Dr. Sheikh emphasized the benefits of this new method. “Traditional surgeries press on the brain, which can lead to complications like seizures. This technique allows us to avoid that, offering a safer and less invasive option,” he said.
Jiten Parmar highlighted their innovative approach to accessing the tumor. “We devised a new technique by cutting a small part of the eye socket’s wall. This gave us better access and made the operation smoother.”
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Ruvimbo’s decision to undergo the surgery wasn’t easy. Her family was initially skeptical, but she knew it was her best chance for relief.
“I told my family, ‘I have to do this. If I don’t, the tumor will keep growing, and it might be fatal,’” she said. “There’s always a first time for everything, and I’m glad I took the chance.”
Today, Ruvimbo is back to her job as a stroke rehabilitation nurse and caring for her three children, aged 8, 12, and 13.
Meningiomas are the most common type of benign brain tumor in the UK, accounting for 27% of all brain tumor diagnoses. They grow from the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord and are more common in women than men. While most are not cancerous, they can cause symptoms like seizures, weakness, or loss of vision and hearing.
Ruvimbo’s surgery represents a breakthrough in treating skull base tumors, offering new possibilities for patients worldwide. With advancements in technology and techniques, minimally invasive procedures like this one are becoming the future of medical care.
As Dr. Sheikh summarized, “This surgery shows how far we’ve come. It’s a milestone in patient care and innovation.”
