US Army Surgeon of Indian Origin Removes Brain Tumor via Nose

The procedure took place at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Major (Dr.) Jagatkumar Patel, an anterior skull base surgeon, and Army neurosurgeon Lt. Col. Charles Miller operated on a Marine Corps staff sergeant. The tumor, a benign growth measuring 4.4 centimeters, was extracted entirely through the patient's nasal passage.

The surgical team used an endoscopic approach, threading instruments through the nose to reach the tumor at the base of the skull. This technique eliminated the need for a craniotomy, which involves removing a section of the skull to access the brain, and typically requires a longer recovery period.

Patel, who is of Indian descent, credited the success to close collaboration between the surgical specialties. The patient, whose name was not released, has since returned to duty, according to the medical center.

The case highlights the advanced capabilities of military medicine, particularly in minimally invasive neurosurgery. Walter Reed, located in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the premier military hospitals in the United States.