Toby Peart, 13, from Strathpeffer in the Highlands, began experiencing pins and needles and pain in his left leg in April 2025. The sensation, often mistaken for growing pains, worsened over several months. An MRI scan at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness revealed a brain tumour, and within days he was referred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow for specialist treatment.
Innovative surgery using 3D robotic exoscope
Toby became one of the first patients in Scotland to undergo surgery using the B Braun Aesculap Aeos 3D Robotic Assisted Exoscope, a new technology that provides exceptional image quality, powerful illumination, and enhanced depth perception. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is the first health board in Scotland to install this device. The exoscope allows surgeons to work in a more upright posture, improving comfort and precision during complex brain surgery.
Further investigations confirmed a non-cancerous tumour measuring about 13–14mm on the right side of his brain. Surgeons recommended an operation, which took place in November 2025 using the 3D exoscope.
Family's shock and rapid response
Toby's father, Marc, praised the medical staff. He said: "It was without question the hardest few weeks of our lives. Toby is a quiet, gentle boy who never complains, so when he told us he was in pain, we knew something wasn't right. Everything happened incredibly quickly. One day we were expecting to wait a couple of weeks for MRI results and the next we were being told that Toby had a brain tumour and needed specialist treatment in Glasgow. It was a huge shock for all of us."
Marc and his wife Adie were warned that post-surgery risks included loss of sight or paralysis. After surgery, Toby initially experienced weakness and paralysis on his left side but made rapid progress.
Remarkable recovery
Marc recalled: "Toby couldn't move his left arm or leg or feel anything which we didn't know would improve. But a few days later he started using his right hand to lift his left hand into the air. He looked at me and said, 'Dad, quick, look, my fingers are doing finger things.' It was one of the most remarkable moments of my life."
Toby's strength improved, and he returned home a week after surgery. He went back to school in January 2026. Marc said: "Leaving hospital with Toby was an emotional moment and one we'll never forget. We know not every family's journey is the same but we feel incredibly fortunate."
Surgeon's perspective on new technology
Roddy O'Kane, consultant neurosurgeon, commented: "This technology allows us to operate upright while gaining views and angles that simply aren't possible with conventional microscopes. For children undergoing brain surgery, that enhanced visualisation can make a real difference. The ability to see more clearly and reach more effectively supports safer surgery and, ultimately, better outcomes."
