CT imaging aids in conjoined twins' separation
NeuroLogica's CereTom portable CT scanner was used during the King Abdulaziz Medical City's first separation surgery of conjoined twins, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

While the twins were still conjoined, NeuroLogica designed a custom-built cradle for the twins to lie in during the procedure. Physicians used CereTom to scan the twins during the surgery and immediately following their separation and closure. This allowed surgeons to monitor the twins for life-threatening symptoms such as brain bleeds, before leaving the operating room, according to the Danvers, Mass.-based NeuroLogica.

The company said the twins survived the 18-hour procedure in stable condition and are now recovering in the pediatric intensive care unit without any complications.

”The CereTom was used to evaluate the two children immediately after separation to diagnose, and potentially fix, any complications such a bleeding or hydrocephalus,” said Ahmed Al Ferayan, MD, a neurosurgeon who performed the surgery. “The surgical team was able to monitor the condition of the twins’ spinal fluid and swelling – a critical diagnostic tool used in the management of neuro-critical care. Having the portable CT scanner in the OR allowed for rapid post-op evaluation and eliminated the need to transport the twins to radiology following the surgery. Instead, we were able to take them directly to the ICU for monitoring and recovery.”

The surgery was completed in seven phases by 22 clinicians from specialties in neurosurgery, anesthesia, plastic surgery, pediatric surgery, nursing and technicians, according to NeuroLogica.
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