Russian teenager with high-risk brainstem tumour successfully undergoes minimally invasive laser treatment in Dubai

Dubai, UAE – June 2026 – Fakeeh University Hospital has successfully performed an advanced MRI-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) procedure on a 15-year-old patient from Russia suffering from a brainstem glioma, one of the most challenging and high-risk brain tumours encountered in neurosurgery.

The young patient travelled to Dubai after conventional oncology treatments failed to halt the progression of the disease. The tumour, located deep within the brainstem, had caused progressive neurological deterioration, including worsening motor deficits and paralysis, significantly affecting his quality of life and presenting a complex therapeutic challenge.

Following extensive multidisciplinary discussions involving neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, radiology, and rehabilitation specialists, the medical team at Fakeeh University Hospital carefully evaluated all available treatment options. Given the tumour’s location within one of the most delicate regions of the brain, traditional open surgery was associated with exceptionally high risks.

The brainstem controls many of the body’s most vital functions, including movement, breathing, heart rate, and consciousness. Surgical intervention in this area has historically carried substantial risks, including permanent paralysis, respiratory failure, and even cardiac arrest.

To minimize these risks while offering a potential treatment option, the team elected to perform MRI-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), a highly advanced minimally invasive neurosurgical technique increasingly used worldwide for carefully selected patients with deep-seated brain lesions.

The procedure was led by Dr. Tommaso Tufo, Consultant Neurosurgeon – Brain and Spine Surgery at Fakeeh University Hospital, using a stereotactic robotic-assisted approach. Through a small skin incision measuring only a few millimetres, a laser fibre was precisely implanted into the target area using advanced robotic guidance and neuronavigation technology.

The implantation phase lasted just over one hour, after which the patient was transferred to the MRI suite. Under continuous real-time MRI monitoring, laser thermal therapy was delivered over the course of approximately one to two hours, allowing surgeons to visualize the thermal effect in real time and precisely control the treatment zone throughout the procedure.

One of the most significant advantages of MRI-guided laser therapy is its ability to reach deep and difficult-to-access areas of the brain while minimizing disruption to surrounding healthy tissue. Real-time MRI thermal mapping provides exceptional precision, allowing surgeons to perform controlled volumetric reduction of tumours without the need for extensive surgical exposure.

Commenting on the case, Dr. Tommaso Tufo said:

“Brainstem tumours represent some of the most challenging conditions in neurosurgery because of their location within structures that control critical neurological and physiological functions. In this particular case, conventional treatment options had become limited, and traditional open surgery carried considerable risks. MRI-guided laser therapy allowed us to reach the lesion through a minimally invasive approach while maintaining a very high degree of precision and safety.”

He added:

“The successful treatment of this patient demonstrates the potential of modern laser neurosurgery to expand therapeutic options for carefully selected patients who may previously have had very limited alternatives. However, the true significance of this technology extends far beyond a single case.”

While the patient continues to undergo physiotherapy and additional oncological treatment as part of his ongoing care, he tolerated the procedure well and was able to resume mobility following treatment.

Dr. Tufo emphasized that MRI-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy should be viewed within the broader context of modern neurosurgery rather than as a solution limited to rare brainstem tumours.

“Laser neurosurgery represents an important advancement in the treatment of selected brain tumours, drug-resistant epilepsy, radiation necrosis, and other complex intracranial conditions,” he explained. “The technology allows us to treat lesions located deep within the brain through a very small incision while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. Both adult and pediatric patients may benefit from this approach when conventional surgery presents excessive risk.”

Historically, many patients with drug-resistant epilepsy required open cranial surgery to access and remove seizure-causing areas of the brain. Today, in selected cases, MRI-guided laser ablation offers a less invasive alternative that combines precision, safety, and shorter recovery times.

For appropriately selected patients, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure may significantly reduce hospitalization and recovery periods, with some individuals able to return home on the same day or within 24 hours. More complex cases, particularly those involving critical brain structures, may require extended monitoring to ensure optimal neurological recovery.

The introduction of advanced MRI-guided laser neurosurgery further strengthens Fakeeh University Hospital’s position as a regional center of excellence for complex neurological and neurosurgical care. By combining advanced imaging, robotic guidance, and minimally invasive techniques, the hospital continues to expand access to innovative treatment options for patients facing some of the most challenging brain conditions.

About Fakeeh University Hospital

Fakeeh University Hospital is a leading academic medical center located in Dubai Silicon Oasis and part of Fakeeh Health. The hospital combines advanced clinical care, medical education, research, innovation, and digital health technologies to deliver world-class healthcare services. Through continuous investment in cutting-edge medical technologies and multidisciplinary expertise, Fakeeh University Hospital remains committed to advancing patient care and improving outcomes across a wide range of complex medical conditions.

For more information, visit: Fakeeh Health – Advancing Healthcare with Excellence

Ever since being diagnosed with ADHD in her twenties, Paris Hilton has chosen to see her neurodiversity as her “superpower.”

“I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without it,” Hilton, 44, tells PEOPLE. The DJ, model, Parívie founder, TV star, author, fashion designer, and founder of the next-gen media company, 11:11, is a champion for neurodiversity and inclusion. It’s why she opened her front doors — literally — for a three-part video series on how she optimized her home and office for herself and team members with ADHD.

In Inclusive by Design, Hilton teams up with experts Sarah Greenberg and Dr. Andrew Kahn from Understood.org, a leading nonprofit that supports people with learning differences, as well as Android and the nonprofit arm of her company, 11:11 Media Impact. The series explains how she made her closet, craft room, and home office workable for herself and members of her 11:11 team, many of whom have neurodiversity. 

Hilton shares with PEOPLE why she’s chosen to be so open about her ADHD journey — and what drives her to be an advocate.

What made you decide to share such an intimate part of your life for this series?  

“I just really wanted to share strategies and different things that I’ve learned from managing my ADHD, both in my personal and professional life, and I really hope by sharing my experiences it can help reduce the stigma of ADHD and make neurodiversity relatable,” Hilton tells PEOPLE.

“I’ve just seen how so many people who think differently feel so alone, so I really wanted to create space and just show how I’m embracing and harnessing my ADHD, and they can, too.”

What can parents of a neurodivergent child do at home to help?

“You come out in the world, there’s just so many distractions and things happening, and it’s a lot on someone,” Hilton says, sharing that a person with neurodivergence will appreciate “a space that makes them feel happy and just able to decompress and feel their best.”

She tells PEOPLE that her own motherhood journey — she shares son Phoenix Barron, 2, and daughter London Marilyn, 23 months, with husband Carter Reum, 44 — has influenced her advocacy.

“Motherhood has given me a whole new purpose and I want my kids to grow up feeling celebrated for who they are. I feel like the only way to do that is to fully embrace myself first so that I can be the best, most authentic mom for them.”

Was there anything that surprised you as being helpful to ADHD as you worked on these spaces? 

“With ADHD there’s something called object permanence, where, like, if you don’t see something, it basically doesn’t exist in your mind. So visual organization is so important.”

So she organized her craft room with clear drawers so she can see what’s inside. And in her closet, the cabinets and drawers that aren’t glass-paneled have labels explaining what’s inside. 

As Hilton explains, she needs to “have it labeled so I can see everything and then my brain will start to remember where each thing is.”

When you redesigned your office, you found a chair that helps people with ADHD. How does a small touch like that make a difference?

“It’s comfortable, it can move around in any position, so you could just be like sitting on it, you could be leaning on it … sometimes with ADHD it’s hard to like just sit still,” she explains. “You just like feel more relaxed, you can focus easier.”

What is the biggest misconception about ADHD?  

“People need to understand the positive parts about it,” she says, adding that many artists, actors, singers, creators, and scientists have been diagnosed with ADHD. “There’s so many brilliant people in the community that I think should be celebrated more, and people need to know because that’s such an inspiration to other kids. I want to continue getting that message out as well, so people can feel celebrated and not feel bad about something that they shouldn’t feel bad about.”

You’ve talked about masking your ADHD when you were younger. Can you explain why masking can be so hard?

“For me growing up, like no one was talking about ADHD,” Hilton says, explaining that when she was in school, “it was so difficult for me to remember things. I would constantly lose my homework get in trouble with the teachers.”

“I just felt like something was wrong with me and I’d just be sad, but then I would just mask or, like, kind of try to act like nothing’s wrong on the inside … I was just going through so many emotions, and after speaking to so many others with ADHD, I can totally understand it now. It’s exhausting having to do that and to feel that way.”

Now, she says, “I’m learning so much and I just wish that I knew all I know now, back when I was a kid growing up in school, but I’m doing this for the little girl in me … now I see it as a superpower, and I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without it. I’m such a creator. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas.”

As Hilton says, “I just want people to understand that you’re not broken. It’s just your brain is wired for something different and something very special, so I just want people to know that. It’s not a weakness. It can actually be a superpower if you can harness it in the right way.” 

People

What began as a seemingly harmless moment at home nearly turned into a life-threatening emergency for a five-year-old boy, until the timely intervention and exceptional care at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah changed the outcome.

A month before his admission, the boy had been playing with magnetic construction toys when his mother noticed him putting one in his mouth. Alarmed, she immediately discarded the entire set. At the time, there were no obvious signs of harm, and life continued as normal.

However, a dangerous process had already begun.

Over the following weeks, the child experienced recurring episodes of severe vomiting, each episode resolving temporarily. When the symptoms returned for a third time, his condition worsened significantly and he became lethargic, dehydrated and unable to tolerate food.

His parents rushed him to Dr. Ramia Dalati, Consultant Paediatrician, at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah. Reflecting on the moment, his mother said, “Dr. Ramia immediately recognised that something wasn’t right. She insisted on admitting our son without delay and starting intravenous fluids. Looking back, that decision may have saved his life.”

An abdominal X-ray revealed an unusual chain-like formation, prompting further investigation. A CT scan confirmed the presence of multiple metallic foreign bodies lodged deep within the small intestine. Despite efforts to remove them endoscopically, their location made this impossible, and the child’s deteriorating condition required urgent surgical intervention.

The multidisciplinary team worked swiftly. Gastroenterology, radiology, anaesthesia and surgical specialists collaborated overnight to prepare for the emergency procedure.

At 2:15 a.m. the following morning, Dr. Wissam Tamer, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, led the operation, supported by Dr. Shalini Shanmugam, Specialist Anaesthesia. What the team discovered was far more severe than anticipated: 52 magnetic beads had linked together across different loops of intestine, trapping tissue and causing progressive internal damage.

“When magnets attract each other through separate loops of bowel, they can trap tissue in between. The injury continues silently inside the abdomen even when a child appears relatively well,” explained Dr. Wissam.

The surgery revealed multiple bowel perforations, extensive inflammation and widespread infection. Despite the complexity of the case, the surgical team meticulously removed all 52 magnets and successfully repaired each injury without removing any part of the intestine.

“It was certainly a challenging operation,” Dr. Wissam said. “But one of the most rewarding aspects was being able to preserve the child’s bowel despite the extent of the damage we encountered.”

Following surgery, the child received intensive care under Dr. Deepika Gandhi and the PICU team. With close monitoring, advanced antibiotic therapy and nutritional support, he began to recover steadily. Within days, he regained bowel function, resumed eating and returned to his cheerful self.

He was later discharged home in good health.

For his family, the experience highlighted not only the seriousness of the condition but also the extraordinary level of care he received.

“We thank God every day that our son is safe,” said his father. “From the moment we arrived at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, we placed our complete trust in the medical team, and they exceeded every expectation.”

His mother added, “Every doctor who cared for our son treated him as if he were their own child.”

She also expressed deep gratitude to the entire team:
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Ramia Dalati for recognising the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Mohd Rabea for his expertise, Dr. Shalini Shanmugam for her care during the procedures, Dr. Wissam Tamer and the surgical team for saving our son’s life, and Dr. Deepika and the PICU team for helping him recover. We can never thank them enough.”

Reflecting on their overall experience, she added, “For us, NMC is more than a hospital – it feels like family.”

Today, the young boy is back home, playing and enjoying life. His story stands as a powerful reminder of the dangers of magnetic toys and the importance of prompt medical care.

More importantly, it is a testament to the quality, coordination and compassion of the team at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, where expertise, teamwork, and timely intervention made all the difference.