38-Year-Old Nigerian Patient with Rare Skull Base Tumour Successfully Treated at Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital in Complex 11-Hour Surgery
- Landmark procedure highlights the Sultanate of Oman's growing expertise in advanced skull base surgery and medical tourism, led by Aster Hospitals
- Inverted papillomas are relatively rare, making up only 0.5–4% of all nasal tumors, and they most commonly affect patients aged 40–60, with males being affected about 3 to 5 times more than females.[1]
- These tumors have a low annual incidence, occurring in just 0.75 to 1.5 cases per 100,000 people.[2]
In a remarkable medical achievement showcasing Oman's rise as a center for advanced healthcare, doctors at Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital in Al Ghubra, Oman (www.AsterDMHealthcare.com) successfully performed a complex skull base surgery on a 38-year-old Nigerian patient. The surgery involved completely removing a rare tumor that had spread from the nasal cavity into the brain and eye socket, demonstrating the growing capabilities of Aster Royal Al Raffah and Oman's healthcare sector in managing complex, high-risk cases aligned with Aster Hospital's ‘Treat in Oman' initiative.
Michael Ojabo , a Nigerian national and IT professional, had spent years seeking treatment for a progressively worsening condition that began in 2018. What initially seemed like a nasal blockage eventually turned into a debilitating illness marked by intense facial pressure, eye bulging, and pain. Diagnosed with an inverted papilloma, a benign yet aggressive tumor, that accounts for approximately 0.5-4% of all nasal tumors and is most frequently seen in patients aged 40-60 years, with a significant predilection for males (M:F ratio of approximately 3-5:1)1, Michael was turned away by multiple hospitals in his home country and the region due to the tumor's critical location and risk of complications.
Inverted papillomas are quite rare, with only 0.75 to 1.5 cases per 100,000 people each year They are one of three types of papillomas classified by the World Health Organization: exophytic (squamous), inverted, and oncocytic (also called cylindrical cell), with inverted papillomas being the most common.2 After searching online extensively, Michael finally found hope in Oman. He chose the country not only for the hospital's strong reputation, but also for the skilled Omani doctors who gave him the confidence and clear guidance he needed while seeking treatment abroad.
Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital accepted the case, and a multidisciplinary team was assembled to plan the surgery meticulously. On May 24, 2025, a 11-hour operation was performed by an all-Omani and regional team, including experts in ENT, neurosurgery, eye surgery, and anesthesia. The tumor, which had spread to the brain and eye socket, was successfully removed using a mix of endoscopic and open surgical methods. Because this type of tumor tends to grow back and affect nearby areas, the team used a highly advanced surgical approach that combined technology with expert skill.
The surgery was led by Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Macki, Senior Consultant ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, in collaboration with Dr. Shashivadhanan, Senior Consultant Neurosurgery, Dr. Alyaqdhan Al Ghafri, Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Abdullah Al Jadidi, Consultant Neuroanesthesia, Dr. Narendra Kumar, Specialist Anesthesiologist, and Dr. Vidya Bhargavan Panicker, Specialist ENT. The team worked in perfect coordination, beginning with a craniotomy, a procedure where a small portion of the skull is temporarily removed to access the brain, in order to reach and remove the part of the tumor that had spread there. They then removed the rest of the tumor from the nasal cavity and eye socket, while carefully protecting vital areas and minimizing damage. The team used advanced techniques such as image-guided navigation, real-time monitoring, and microscopic tools to ensure the tumor was safely and completely removed. A follow-up care plan was also arranged with doctors in Nigeria to support Michael after his return home.
Michael had his breathing tube removed the same day and was discharged from the hospital just five days later. His recovery was smooth, and follow-up scans showed that the entire tumor had been successfully removed, with no damage to his brain or vision. Today, his facial appearance is back to normal, and he is living a healthy, active life again.
Reflecting on his experience, Michael Ojabo , the patient, shared, "Choosing to come to Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital for my treatment was truly life-changing. From the moment I arrived, I felt safe and cared for. The doctors took the time to explain every detail clearly, which gave me the confidence to move forward with the surgery. I am forever grateful to Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital, Oman and the incredible medical team for giving me a second chance at life."
Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Macki, Senior Consultant ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, Aster Royal Al Raffah, who led the ENT surgical team, said, “Inverted papillomas most commonly present in patients between 40 and 60 years of age, making this case involving a 38-year-old patient slightly atypical but no less complex. What made it truly challenging was the tumor's rare extension into both the brain and orbit. Successfully treating it required close collaboration among multiple specialties. This outcome reflects the advanced surgical and medical capabilities that Oman now offers.”
Dr. Khalil added, “Treating it successfully required precise collaboration across multiple specialties. The tumor, which had encroached upon the brain and orbit, was meticulously removed while protecting vital structures. In a testament to the team's precision and post-operative care, Michael was successfully extubated on the same day of surgery and discharged within five days. Post-operative scans confirmed complete tumor removal, with no damage to his brain or vision. Today, his facial appearance has returned to normal, and he has resumed a healthy, active life.”
Dr. Shashivadhanan, Senior Consultant Neurosurgery at Aster Royal Al Raffah, added, “This was a particularly demanding case, as the tumor had breached both the cranial cavity and orbital space, pressing against critical neural structures. As an in-house neuro-spine surgeon with surgical privileges for paediatric and adult neurosurgery, I applied advanced techniques to access and remove the tumor safely. What made this case successful was the synergy of specialties and the use of intraoperative technology to ensure total removal while protecting brain function. It's an honor to be part of a team bringing such transformative care to Oman.”
Mr. Shailesh Guntu, Deputy CEO of Aster Hospitals, UAE & Oman, noted, “What we have achieved here is more than a surgical success; it is proof that patients no longer need to travel abroad for advanced treatment. Oman now has the expertise, infrastructure, and commitment to deliver world-class outcomes right here at home. This case also highlights our alignment with the national vision to develop medical tourism in Oman and to serve patients from across the region and beyond. As part of the ‘Treat in Oman' vision, we remain committed to bringing global standards of care to the Sultanate, offering complex, specialized interventions close to home for many international patients.”
Cases of inverted papilloma invading both the brain and orbit are exceptionally rare worldwide. Successfully treating such a case in Oman not only highlights the strength of Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital but also demonstrates how far Oman's healthcare system has progressed in delivering high-quality, patient-centric, advanced care.
As Oman continues to strengthen its reputation for advanced, patient-centric care, stories like Michael's are paving the way for a new era in healthcare, one where excellence is accessible, and borders are no longer a barrier to life-saving treatment.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aster DM Healthcare.
For more information about us, please contact:
Lavanya Mandal
Head of PR and Internal Communications
Aster DM Healthcare
Tel: +971 528126577
Email: lavanya.mandal@asterdmhealthcare.com
Udhayan Sasidharan Nair
Manager - PR & Communications
Aster DM Healthcare
Tel: + 971 508850520
Email: udhayan.nair@asterdmhealthcare.com
About Aster DM Healthcare:
Founded in 1987 by Dr. Azad Moopen, Aster DM Healthcare is a leading integrated healthcare provider, with a strong presence across 5 countries in the GCC and Jordan. Aster is committed to the vision of providing accessible and high-quality healthcare, from primary to quaternary services, with its promise of “We will treat you well”. The organisation's robust integrated healthcare model includes 15 hospitals, 122 clinics, and 313 pharmacies in GCC serving all segments of society through three differentiated brands: Aster, Medcare and Access. Aster consistently adapts to meet the evolving needs of patients, ensuring access to quality healthcare through both physical and digital channels which is exemplified with the launch of the region's first healthcare super app, myAster.
National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa Announces 10 Finalists for Second Triple-Double Accelerator Demo Day
- 10 Finalists From Five African Countries Will Pitch Their Products to International Industry Leaders on Dec. 5 in Kigali
- Carnegie Mellon University Africa Joins as Official Partner of the Program
NBA Africa (www.NBA.com) today announced the 10 startup companies from five African countries that have been selected as finalists as part of the second edition of NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator (https://apo-opa.co/48kJsem), which the league launched last year to support the continent's technology ecosystem and the next generation of African entrepreneurs. The 10 finalists will pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at a Demo Day at Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, Dec. 5.
NBA Africa also announced that CMU-Africa has joined as an Official Partner of the program, which is open to early-stage African startup companies that develop solutions in the sport and creative industries. CMU-Africa is the only U.S. research university offering its master's degrees with a full-time faculty, staff and operations in Africa.
ServiceNow – an AI platform for business transformation whose Now Assist and AI agents help organizations deliver faster and smarter experiences at scale – also serves as an Official Partner of NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, while ALX Ventures – a leading technology incubator that provides the continent's tech leaders with access to the skills and tools to launch and scale their startups – is once again operating the program.
The 10 startups, which were selected from more than 700 applications, will pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders who will choose five winners to receive financial support and the opportunity to join CMU-Africa's 12-month Business Incubation Program as part of its Innovation Hub, which helps African tech startups transform proof-of-concept prototypes and preliminary market assessments into scalable, market-ready products and services.
Below are the 10 startups that will compete for the five prize-winning spots:
- Athlon Technology (Egypt) (https://AthlonTechnology.com/) aims to leverage accessible mobile technology and AI to provide video analysis for amateur and budget-constrained sports teams while addressing a market gap with a user-friendly, hardware-light solution.
- Atsur (Nigeria) (https://apo-opa.co/4pxsTCH) leverages blockchain technology to promote investment in African art and support artists and art communities.
- CoLab (South Africa) (https://apo-opa.co/3XiPvek) is a platform that brings together creatives, entrepreneurs and industry professionals, providing a space to connect, manage projects and bring ideas to life.
- Contestify (Nigeria) (www.Contestify.io) is an all-in-one platform that streamlines contest management, offering real-time judging, transparent scoring and instant payouts.
- Fitclan (Egypt) (https://Fitclan.co/) is a digital fitness hub that leverages a flexible subscription model for individuals and corporate clients.
- Novate (Morocco) (www.Novate.ltd/en) offers a unique, immersive virtual reality (VR) football viewing experience with features such as seat selection, camera switching, social voice chat and live stats.
- ProPath Sports (Kenya) (www.ProPathSports.com) revolutionizes athlete discovery in Kenya with data-driven talent identification; its iSTEAM program covers all aspects of talent development.
- Reborn (Morocco) (https://RebornSportsTech.com/) offers comprehensive performance indicators that give athletes deep insights into their physical condition and on-field performance, essential for identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and optimizing overall performance.
- Safia Health (Kenya) (https://SafiaHealth.com/) offers personalized training regiments that integrate fitness, recovery and mental wellbeing tracking into a unified platform, offering value to athletes and coaches.
- SongDis (Nigeria) (www.SongDis.com) provides comprehensive digital distribution and services tailored for African independent artists and labels.
“The quality of this year's applications reflects the incredible talent and creativity among Africa's young entrepreneurs as well as the important role that the sport and creative industries are playing in the continent's development,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi. “These startups represent the bold spirit of innovation rising across the continent – where creativity meets purpose, and ideas have the power to scale beyond borders.”
Last year, four prize-winning companies – Festival Coins (Nigeria), Salubata (Nigeria), HustleSasa (Kenya) and UBR VR (Egypt) – were awarded financial support and mentorship as part of the inaugural edition of the program.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).Contact:
Chumani Bambani
NBA Africa Communications
cbambani@nba.com
+27 65 548 1031
Fans can follow:
NBAAfrica on Facebook and YouTube
@ nbaafricaofficial on Instagram
@ NBA_Africa on X
@ theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. NBA Africa conducts the league's business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The league's efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more.
NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that concluded its fifth season in June 2025.