A new mobile intraoperative CT scanner is set to revolutionize brain tumor removal at Papardo Hospital in Messina,Italy,beginning this year. The advanced technology will allow surgeons to assess the success of tumor removal during surgery, possibly eliminating the need for additional procedures and improving patient outcomes. This acquisition builds on Papardo Hospital’s growing reputation as a leading neurosurgical center, already offering innovative techniques like awake surgery and robotic-assisted procedures-the only facility in Europe to offer both robotic platforms for spine surgery.
Massimo Cardali, Director of Neurosurgery: ”Being able to control the outcome of tumor removal directly during surgery radically changes the surgical approach”
MESSINA, Italy – The Papardo Hospital in Messina has taken a significant step forward in brain tumor surgery with the acquisition of a mobile intraoperative neurological CT scanner. This cutting-edge technology is poised to transform the safety and effectiveness of neurosurgical procedures, offering new hope for patients facing challenging diagnoses.
Successful treatment of brain tumors, particularly aggressive forms like gliomas, hinges on maximizing the removal of cancerous tissue. The more tumor that can be safely removed, the greater the patient’s chance of survival. This new technology aims to improve those odds.
Beginning in the new year, surgeons at Papardo Hospital will be able to verify the completeness of tumor removal in real-time during surgery using the new intraoperative CT scanner. Traditionally, a post-operative CT scan is used to assess residual tumor. If any remains, patients often require a second surgery, extending hospital stays, increasing the risk of infection, and potentially leading to complications. This new technology allows for immediate assessment and completion of the procedure in a single surgical setting, streamlining care and improving patient outcomes.
The scanner’s mobility is another key advantage. It can be used not only in the operating room but also at the patient’s bedside in the ward, offering a crucial benefit for fragile patients or those whose condition prevents safe transport to traditional diagnostic imaging facilities. This expands access to critical imaging for those who need it most.
“This acquisition represents a strategic investment in the quality and safety of care,” said Catena Di Blasi, Hospital Director General. “Equipping Papardo with such advanced technology will have a concrete impact on clinical outcomes, reducing risks for patients and improving the effectiveness of interventions in one of the most delicate areas of medicine, neurosurgery.”
Massimo Cardali, Director of Neurosurgery, emphasized the clinical value of the innovation. “Being able to control the outcome of tumor removal directly during the surgery radically changes the surgical approach. It means increasing precision, reducing the need for re-interventions, and offering patients a level of safety and quality of care that was not previously possible.”
Gianpiero Mastroeni, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, highlighted the importance of technological integration from a diagnostic perspective. “The ability to bring the CT scanner directly to the patient or into the operating room allows for timely and high-quality imaging, reducing decision-making time and increasing clinical appropriateness during the most critical moments of the care pathway.”
The acquisition of the intraoperative CT scanner builds on Papardo Hospital’s established excellence in neurosurgery. The hospital has significantly reduced the number of patients traveling to northern Italy for complex vertebral fusion surgery – procedures designed to stabilize the spine by fusing vertebral segments – thanks to highly specialized expertise and the introduction of two different robotic platforms, making it the only facility in Europe to offer both. Papardo Hospital is also a leading center for brain surgeries performed using awake surgery, a technique that involves keeping the patient awake during certain phases of the operation to allow for real-time monitoring of critical functions like language and movement, minimizing neurological damage. This approach is further enhanced by the use of advanced technologies, including an exoscope, a high-definition visualization system that allows surgeons to operate while viewing a 3D monitor instead of through a traditional microscope, improving magnification, precision, and ergonomics during brain surgery.
With the addition of the intraoperative CT scanner, Papardo Hospital solidifies its role as a regional referral center for complex neurosurgery, demonstrating how a structured clinical vision combined with technological innovation translates into real benefits for patient survival and quality of life.
