Imaging of brain tumours (gliomas) research supported by The Aftershock

Prof Meng Law (right) with a colleague. Image: The Aftershock

In 2019, The Aftershock committed to support research within the Department of Neuroscience at Monash University (CCS, Alfred Hospital) led by Professor Meng Law, Dr Jarrel Seah, Dr Andrew Dixon and Dr Jennifer Tang. 

The research aims to show the potential of using information from MRIs of patients with brain tumours (gliomas) for the prediction of characteristics and future growth with artificial intelligence. The current project aims to collect a large dataset of brain tumours on MRI with associated pathology results, and apply unsupervised deep learning techniques to improve the diagnosis and classification of gliomas and other brain tumours.

See The Aftershock full update.

Pitfalls of using mobile phone photos for the diagnosis of patients

By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Smart (mobile) phones allow for rapid and multi-faceted communication between people. This feature of smart phones has been used with success within the clinic, allowing for real-time collaboration of doctors on specific cases when not everyone is present.

Medical student Jarrel Seah

However, as recently outlined in a short report lead authored by Monash University medical student Jarrel Seah, this useful technology has been shown to have a down side. A 45-year old woman was treated surgically for a brain aneurysm at the Alfred Hospital. A CT scan following the operation revealed the development of an area of the brain with poor blood flow.

The patient subsequently developed high intracranial (within the skull) pressure in the intensive care unit. This prompted another scan, and a mobile phone photo was taken of the computer screen upon which the scan was being viewed.

Bill Gates mentors Monash medical students

Medical students Jarrel Seah, left, and Jennifer Tang get advice on their app from Bill Gates as part of their Imagine Cup prize. Photo and caption: Australian Financial Review

Earlier this year two Monash medical students, Mr Jarrel Seah and Ms Jennifer Tang, won the Microsoft Imagine Cup for the development of an app, 'Eyenaemia'. Now, as part of their prize, they met with Bill Gates, Microsoft's founder, for advice about how to progress further development and commercialisation of the app. Jarrel, a Central Clinical School student, is adding to his MBBS experience by doing a Bachelor of Medical Science in Honours. See the AFR article for more detail.