Dr. Sam Brain, Spine, Pain

01/09/2025

Cervical disc prolapse is responsible for arm pain, neck pain and even headaches at times.
Removal of the disc and replacement with a titanium implant is a safe and relatively simple procedure. Using a microscope during the procedure makes it more precise and avoids damaging the spinal cord.

10/08/2025

Done and dusted. Published an article on recurrent Brain aneurysms in World Neurosurgery X.

Difficult but possible.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590139725000778?via%3Dihub

08/07/2025

Honored to share on 2 topics during the Malaysia Stroke Conference 2025. Bypass surgery in stroke and Minimally invasive surgery for intracerebral bleeds. Great learning experience with neurologist, interventional radiologist and rehab physicians.

18/06/2025

https://youtu.be/gg454dvp4AI

Pr*****ed intervertebral disc is a very painful spine problem. They usually resolve after 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately about 20% of patients will require removal of the pr*****ed disc. Weakness and numbness is an absolute indication for surgery. Endoscopic removal is possible but costly. Open microdisectomy is faster and more cost efficient.

Pr*****ed intervertebral disc is a very painful spine problem. They usually resolve after 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately about 20% of patients will require removal...

12/06/2025

Spine tumors compress the spinal cord and lead to weakness, numbness, urinary incontinence and constipation. Back pain is another common symptom.

08/06/2025

Pituitary apoplexy(berdarah dalam kelenjar agong) is devastating. Blindness is scary. But neurosurgery can cure it!

08/06/2025

Minimally invasive brain surgery. Intracerebral bleed removal with endoscope,ultrasound and IGS

08/06/2025

08/03/2025

Complete excision of a “Snowman” pituitary tumor.
Tumors like these can be scary as it can cause blindness and hormonal derangements.
But with microscopic precise surgery, the whole tumor can be removed safely.

26/11/2024

Sometimes, mild disc prolapse can be treated with laser burning of disc. No need for large surgeries and prolonged healing. A simple day care procedure is all that is needed.

23/11/2024

Skull base surgery can be done through the nose. Using endoscopes and specialized equipment, tumors can be removed without a surgical scar.

02/11/2024

https://youtu.be/cbq2xm4Q8rY

This video proudly showcases the first ever Gliolan use in the state of Penang!
Gliolan is sort of a dye that attaches to tumor cells and glows a pink hue under blue light.
A special microscope and a dedicated and trained team is needed to allow the use of this adjunct in high grade glioma cases.
Brain and tumor look very similar at times. The surgeon will then be in a dillema of whether further resection is needed. By colouring the tumor pink, surgeons can tell with more certainty if it is tumor or normal brain tissue.
This dye assists surgeons to maximize tumor resection without harming normal brain.

This video showcases the first ever Gliolan use in the state of Penang!Gliolan is sort of a dye that attaches to tumor cells and glows a pink hue under blue ...