"Clinical cases of Naegleria fowleri infection are really too rare, and the current literature offers very limited reference value for treatment."

Zhao Heng said.

The treatment of such a rare disease as Naegleria fowleri infection is destined to be a difficult process. Medicine is inherently an empirical discipline, and often, the treatment of patients is based on past experience.

There must be enough clinical case samples, and a lot of exploration is needed to form an effective treatment plan.

"According to the existing literature, treating Naegleria fowleri infection with antibacterial drugs is actually quite limited in effect, as the patient's intracranial pressure will continue to rise from the onset. It soon leads to deep coma, and usually, about a week after the onset, the patient will die from respiratory and heart failure."

After a pause, Zhao Heng continued.

The rapid progression of the disease and the current lack of very effective treatment methods are the most challenging aspects of Naegleria fowleri infection.

"Yes, but the more challenging aspect is that Naegleria fowleri infection causes brain swelling and an increase in intracranial pressure. Consequently, the patient's skull will bear immense pressure, forcing the brain and spinal cord to disconnect. Once this happens, the mortality rate is as high as 97, which is why Naegleria fowleri is called the brain-eating amoeba."

Liu Ziang also spoke with a solemn expression.

As an authority in neurosurgery, he has some understanding of this deadly parasite.

The greatest survival challenge for patients infected with this parasite comes from intracranial pressure. Once they cannot withstand this pressure, resulting in the disconnection of the brain and spinal cord, the patient is almost certainly doomed.

"Let's confirm the diagnosis first and proceed with Zhao's treatment plan while waiting for the expert consultation to finalize the subsequent treatment plan."

Liu Shangming decisively concluded. He was quite troubled by encountering such a challenging emergency right after taking office.

However, thankfully, Naegleria fowleri does not have the characteristic of human-to-human transmission. The only opportunity to be infected by this parasite is for someone to be in the target water body.

Even though it does not transmit between people, considering Jeju Island's tourist volume of 40,000, just thinking about how many people might have been in contact with the target water area and how many might have been infected is enough to send a chill down one's spine.

The crucial point is that this is a deadly parasite with no currently effective treatment, and if this information gets out, it will cause great panic.

"Director Gao, please co-chair a hospital committee meeting with me later. Zhao, work with Director Liu to confirm the diagnosis as soon as possible."

After a pause, Liu Shangming competently instructed Gao Jun, Zhao Heng, and Liu Ziang.

Although this situation is quite sudden and tricky, it doesn't faze the experienced Liu Shangming.

"Okay."

Gao Jun, Zhao Heng, and Liu Ziang all nodded, as they welcomed Liu Shangming becoming the hospital director.

To put it practically, ever since Liu Shangming became the director, everyone's life has generally been better than before.

After Director Liu and Gao Jun left, Liu Ziang gravely said to Zhao Heng, "Junior, be prepared, this will be a tough battle."

"Senior, has no patient with Naegleria fowleri infection ever been cured domestically?"

Zhao Heng asked with furrowed brows. If Liu Ziang, an authority in neurosurgery, says no, then there really hasn't been a case.

If at least one patient had survived after being cured, it would provide some reference value. If none have, then this situation is truly challenging.

"It's the same issue; the sample size is too small. Among the confirmed domestic cases, only 10 have been reported, and without exception, all resulted in death. There have been over a hundred cases reported abroad, with three survivors. This is a statistical issue, not a treatment issue."

Liu Ziang thought for a moment and said.

Even in diseases with high fatality rates, there will always be a few patients with innate resistance who survive. Take HIV, for instance; there are people naturally immune to the virus.

"Let's confirm the diagnosis first; the surgery room should be ready for the micro-invasive procedure."

Zhao Heng said.

For now, the treatment plan he proposed can temporarily stabilize the patient's condition. Things need to progress step by step.

"Alright, let's go."

Liu Ziang also nodded.

Soon, the two of them entered the prepared surgery room.

After changing into surgical attire, Zhao Heng saw that the patient had already been brought to the surgery room.

Inside the surgery room was a high-power microscope, ready for immediate testing post-sampling.

"Junior, let's begin."

Liu Ziang said to Zhao Heng with a focused look.

This micro-invasive procedure for sampling biopsies can only be conducted by the two of them due to their high technical skills.

Conducting a brain biopsy without affecting the brain requires incredibly complex skill, just thinking about it makes one shiver.

"Okay."

Zhao Heng also nodded. Although this surgery is just a micro-invasive sampling biopsy, he must remain fully focused and ready.

A brain biopsy is a micro-invasive procedure performed to diagnose brain abnormalities. It is carried out under local or general anesthesia in the surgery room, during which abnormal brain tissue, blood vessels, or dura (the outermost membrane covering the brain) is extracted.

Brain biopsies can be divided into craniotomies where part of the diseased tissue is removed or stereotactic brain biopsies. For this case of Naegleria fowleri infection, the less invasive, lower complication rate, and high diagnostic rate stereotactic brain biopsy will be used.

Stereotactic technology, similar to the GPS in cars, guides the car to its destination. The stereotactic brain biopsy uses the biopsy needle to reach deep in the brain for sampling.

"Junior, your spatial perception is better than mine, so you handle the positioning this time; I'll assist."

Liu Ziang said.

Although the super-genius Liu Ziang was somewhat reluctant to admit it, Zhao Heng indeed has better spatial perception than he does.

This spatial perception for a surgeon means, simply put, the ability to form a three-dimensional view of the patient's local anatomical structure in the operating surgeon's mind through imaging studies, then use this mental three-dimensional view to perform complex operations as if following a map.

Forming three-dimensional images of targets in the brain, a task typically achieved by computers, can actually be done by a very few individuals. However, these individuals are rare.

"Alright."

Zhao Heng nodded. He also thought so. In merging and integrating experiences from other doctors, Zhao Heng recently found that during this process, some innate abilities from other doctors also integrated to some extent.

As a surgeon, many have some degree of this spatial perception, albeit in varying measures.

With multiple fusions and enhancements, Zhao Heng is unsure if there's any domestic surgeon with stronger spatial perception than him.

Therefore, Zhao Heng handling the positioning is the most prudent choice, a fact that Liu Ziang is acutely aware of after spending a long time performing surgeries with Zhao Heng.

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