Japanese

Neurosurgery

Prof. Nobutaka Horie

【Research Keyword】
Central nervous system regeneration, Mesenchymal stem cells, Microgravity environment, Magnetoencephalography, Pediatric brain tumors, Telomeres, micro-RNAs, Spinal cord disorders, Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.

【Recent highlights】
Hiroshima University has been chosen as a member of the project by NEDO followed as AMED. Development of IoT and ICT have brought a completely new information integrated operating theater which is called Smart Cyber Operating Theater (SCOT). Basic SCOT was installed in April of 2016 as the first case in the world. From 2014 to 2018 (for 5 years) total 350 million JPY have installed to establish this new system by support of AMED. Total 40 cases were treated for 3.5 years. It included 33 CNS lesions (brain tumors and intractable epilepsy) and 7 bone tumors. In the end of March 2019, simulation of liver surgery was done. As mentioned above, this system has been extended not only to Neurosurgical field, but also other surgical fields.

Profiles of Faculty and Research Scholars

【Education】
We provide advanced neurosurgical management of various brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, spinal diseases, and functional disorders. Being a tertiary referral center in Chugoku area, we are experienced in preventive and curative management of acute conditions (stroke, head trauma). We are also adept at treating patients with severe brain disorders like altered consciousness and paralysis. Besides providing surgical services, we also train qualified doctors to become specialists. While making the best use of individual qualities, we devote ourselves to the development of overall qualities of a competent neurosurgeon and contribute to the society. In addition to clinical practice, we are also active in various research activities.

【Research】
・Research on characteristics of human cranial bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(In collaboration with Space Bio-Laboratories)
・Research on mechanism of seizure control by vagus nerve stimulation in epilepsy (Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research C, 2014, joint research with Hiroshima International University).
・Research on development of culture technique for pituitary gland stem cells in microgravity environment – application for artificial pituitary gland (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B, 2013).
・Development of tools and software to integrate MEG data (Young Researcher B).
・Research on visualization technology of KANSEI by direct recording of insular cortex and MEG measurements (Collaborative study with BMK, Sciences Center).
・Pilot research on establishment of support system for telemedicine of epilepsy (Epidemiological study, Hiroshima University, Joint research with Allm Inc.)
・Study of morphology of brain tissue in patients with refractory epilepsy (Joint research with Niigata University).
・Effects on brain development in pediatric cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Joint research with Department of Pediatrics, Hiroshima University).
・Research on telomeres and micro-RNAs in brain tumors (Collaborative study with Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences).
・Clinical research on vascular hemodynamics in spinal cord tumors.
・Clinical studies on intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM).

Basic SCOT (Smart Cyber Operating Theater) from April 2016

【Photo explanation】　Packaged equipment are installed. Open type 0.4 T MRI is set. Out of yellow-colored area is less than 5 gauss. So, we can use regular surgical instruments in usual way. Only 1.5 m movement of operating table is needed to do intra-operative MRI and it needs only 30min.

Integrated expression of synchronous and simultaneous intra-operative information, “Visualization of information”

【Photo explanation】　A huge 4K monitor on the wall of SCOT room expresses synchronous and simultaneous information which includes all data from all operation-related machines and monitors. In this way all staffs in the room can recognize and share all information. As a result it increases patient safety and motivation of the staffs.