Mixed Reality for Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Pilot Study from a Singapore Children’s Hospital

Mixed reality (MR) platforms for neurosurgical education, training, and clinical use have gained popularity in recent years. However, their use in pediatric neurosurgery is comparatively unexplored. We designed a study to explore the use of an MR-based application for pediatric brain tumors. The primary aim is to determine if the use of MR provides the neurosurgical team with a better understanding of the visuospatial anatomy of neoplasms in pediatric craniums and to guide operative planning. Secondary aims include exploring its use as an educational tool for junior doctors and medical students. Methods: Three-dimensional anatomical models of selected pediatric brain tumors are created and uploaded to an MR application. The processed data is transferred into designated MR head-mounted devices. At the end of the trial, users are required to fill in an evaluation form. Results: A total of 30 participants took part in this study. Based on the collated feedback data, all of them agreed that the MR platform was useful as a tool in different aspects of understanding the selected pediatric brain tumors. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a proof of concept of the feasibility of MR platforms for a better understanding of pediatric brain tumors. Further development is needed to refine the current setup to be more versatile.