Toby Peart, a 13-year-old from Strathpeffer in the Highlands, was diagnosed with a brain tumour after experiencing pins and needles in his leg. He is one of the first patients in Scotland to undergo complex surgery using a new 3D exoscope technology at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Toby began experiencing pins and needles and pain in his left leg in April last year. Initially thought to be growing pains, the symptoms progressively worsened over several months. An MRI scan at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness revealed a brain tumour measuring approximately 13–14mm on the right side of his brain. Within days, he was referred to Glasgow for specialist treatment.
Toby's father, Marc, 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."
Surgery and Recovery
Further investigations confirmed the tumour was non-cancerous, but an operation was recommended. In November, Toby underwent surgery using the 3D exoscope, a robotic-assisted device designed to enhance precision during complex brain surgery. Medics warned Toby's parents, Marc and Adie, that post-surgery risks included loss of sight or paralysis.
After surgery, Toby experienced weakness and paralysis on his left side but made rapid progress. 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 returned home a week after surgery and went back to school in January. Marc added: "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."
New Technology
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is the first health board in Scotland to install the B Braun Aesculap Aeos 3D Robotic Assisted Exoscope. The device provides exceptional image quality, powerful illumination, and enhanced depth perception. It also allows surgeons to work in a more upright posture, reducing physical strain.
Consultant neurosurgeon Roddy O'Kane said: "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."
