Bulletin No. 2, 2012

42 Chinese University Bulletin No. 2, 2012 Treating Bone Cancer with Computer-assisted Surgery The Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology pioneers computer-assisted tumour surgery (CATS) for treating bone cancer. Since 2006, surgeons at CUHK have developed and refined the technique, which is particularly useful in complicated surgery, such as pelvic/sacral tumours removal and paediatric bone cancers. CATS has been successfully applied to 32 bone cancer patients. The technique, which involves the integration of all diagnostic images, not only allows detailed analysis of the position of a tumour, but also enables p r e c i s e v i r t u a l s u r g i c a l s imulat i on and re s e c t i on planning. The surgical plan can be executed with the help of a computer navigation system to achieve a high level of precision and accuracy. This technology helps increase the chance of total tumour resection and preserve normal bone tissues and joints. New Technology Cures Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation In a collaboration research effort, researchers from the Department of Surgery, the Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, and the Department of Clinical Oncology have proven that linear accelerator radiosurgery can cure cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM), clusters of abnormal connecting vessels between arteries and veins. The treatment involves directing focused radiation beams precisely to AVMs in a single session. The non-invasive radiosurger y acts on the endothelial cells lining its blood vessels. These cells tend to multiply after the treatment and produce clots, which diminish blood flow through the tangle of vessels, eventually turning AVMs into harmless scars. The results were published in the July 2012 issue of the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience . research Prof. Shekhar M. Kumta (left) and Dr. Wong Kwok-chuen in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology demonstrate simulated bone tumour removal surgery Mr. Ngar Yuen-kan Dennis (1st left) and Dr. Kam Koon-ming Michael (1st right) in the Department of Clinical Oncology, Prof. Wong Kwok-chee George (2nd left) in the Department of Surgery, Dr. Siu Yung-woon Deyond (2nd right) in the Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology