UC neurosurgeon developing software to guide surgeons in the operating room
Norberto Andaluz, MD, awarded for research that will improve surgical technique
The North American Skull Base Society recognized the work of Dr. Norberto Andaluz during its annual conference, this year held virtually.
The abstract entitled, "Piriform Height and The Clival Length as Predictors of the Size and Surgical Freedom of the TransClival Corridor," received the Rhoton Award, named after Albert Rhoton Jr., a pioneer in the field of neuroanatomy.
This abstract is a small portion of a much larger project that is using data and computer technology to guide surgeons to the best area to operate. "Many of us who have done this for quite some time have developed our own method to do that," explains Dr. Andaluz. "We kind of guestimate and measure to our eye to figure out the best window to approach a lesion. But this is using concrete data and is a method that is reproducible and transferable." He compares it to asking his mom for one of her well-used recipes: she may know how to do it, but she can't exactly articulate it. "We're trying to convert that feeling into a predictable paradigm that can be used consistently and can be reproduced by others," says Dr. Andaluz.
We're trying to develop an easy-to-use, open source or commercially-available software platforms that are already in use that we will use to review patient films to predict the best surgical windows.
Norberto Andaluz, MD
For the project, University of Louisville resident Dr. Zaid Aljuboori led researchers to take thousands of measures on more than 100 CAT scans over the course of a year. The goal, according to Dr. Andaluz is, "We're trying to develop an easy-to-use, open source or commercially-available software that we will use to review patient films to predict the best surgical windows."
Dr. Andaluz predicts it will be industry-standard for surgeons to use software in surgical planning in the near future.
The Goodyear Lab at the University of Cincinnati will be one of the sites where these preliminary results will be validated on cadaver models.
Related Stories
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
App turns smartwatch into detector of structural heart disease
November 10, 2025
An app that uses an AI model to read a single-lead ECG from a smartwatch can detect structural heart disease, researchers reported at the 2025 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Although the technology requires further validation, researchers said it could help improve the identification of patients with heart failure, valvular conditions and left ventricular hypertrophy before they become symptomatic, which could improve the prognosis for people with these conditions.
Combination immunotherapy helps overcome melanoma treatment resistance
November 10, 2025
MSN highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Trisha Wise-Draper showing a combination of immunotherapy medications can activate a robust immune response and help overcome treatment resistance in patients with refractory melanoma.