Mr Mark Hughes (BSc MBChB MSc PhD FRCS)
Consultant Neurosurgeon and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer

- Department of Clinical Neurosciences
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
- Edinburgh translational neurosurgery research group
Contact details
- Email: mhughes4@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
-
Department of Clinical Neurosciences
- City
- BioQuarter
- Post code
Background
Mark Hughes is consultant neurosurgeon and honorary senior lecturer. He underwent neurosurgical training in London, Edinburgh, New York, and Leeds - and completed a Wellcome Trust-funded PhD en route. His subspecialist work focuses on pituitary tumours and anterior skull base neurosurgery.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Neuroscience
MB ChB
MSc Surgical sciences
MRCS (Ed)
PhD Neuroscience and electrical engineering
FRCS (Neurosurgery)
MFSTEd
Responsibilities & affiliations
Member of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons
Member of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers of Edinburgh
Undergraduate teaching
I supervise University of Edinburgh BSc, MBChB and external MSc students, often via the ESSQ program
Postgraduate teaching
I supervise University of Edinburgh BSc, MBChB and external MSc students, often via the ESSQ program
Research summary
Mark Hughes’ doctoral research explored the interface between neurons and biomaterials, especially silicon. Engineering and interacting with simple networks of neurons in the lab offers a chance to explore how larger networks operate in complex, living organisms. As well as being relevant to understanding how nervous systems represent and process information, related insights can also inform novel (or hybrid) computational strategies. Moreover, tools to interface with engineered networks are relevant in the fledgling field of neuroprosthetics.
Current research interests
Current research projects include: - Development of an app-based tool to measure and monitor visual field loss due to pituitary and other tumours. - Exploring the use of artificial intelligence to analyse facial images for early detection of acromegaly. - Using 3D printing to improve patient counselling and surgical planning for skull base operations. - Ongoing prospective audit of surgical outcomes for our local endoscopic neurosurgical service. - Developing local trans-orbital neurological surgery via collaboration with oculoplastics and ENT, cadaveric workshops, and international exchangeKnowledge exchange
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=c8-q2MYAAAAJ&hl=en
In the context of surgical simulation, I have been involved in the research and development of micro-neurosurgical and other minimally invasive surgery platforms. This work has been driven forward via the formation of a spinout company from the University of Edinburgh and has had global impact, with simulators now in use on over 90 different countries and also incorporated into several regional training programs.
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The digital Cullen chart: a red colour perimetry aid for visual field examination
In:
British Journal of Neurosurgery, pp. 1-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2021.2014782
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
The Impact of Novel Nontechnical Stressors (Visual and Auditory) on Simulated Laparoscopic Task Performance Among Surgeons and Students
In:
Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/lap.2021.0695
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Letter to the Editor. A UK perspective on gender diversity in American neurosurgery training programs
In:
Journal of Neurosurgery, pp. 1-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3171/2021.3.JNS21548
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Letter (E-pub ahead of print) -
The gender gap in European neurosurgical conference presentations
In:
Neurosurgical focus, vol. 50, pp. E7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3171/2020.12.FOCUS20885
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Association of baseline hematoma and edema volumes with one-year outcome and long-term survival after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A community-based inception cohort study
In:
International Journal of Stroke, pp. 174749302097428
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493020974282
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Using Automated Continuous Instrument Tracking to Benchmark Simulated Laparoscopic Performance and Personalize Training
In:
Journal of Surgical Education
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.09.021
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Sellar Remodeling after Surgery for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma: Intercarotid Distance as a Predictor of Recurrence
In:
Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1693700
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Cytotoxicity of ultraviolet-C radiation on a heterogeneous population of human glioblastoma multiforme cells: Meta-analysis
In:
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, vol. 24, pp. 158-163
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2018.10.003
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Chondroitinase ABC for neurological recovery after acute brain injury: systematic review and meta-analyses of preclinical studies
(15 pages)
In:
Brain Injury, pp. 1-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2018.1438665
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Review article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Glioma: Systematic Review
(9 pages)
In:
Journal of cellular biochemistry, vol. 118, pp. 4063-4071
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.26061
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Literature review (Published) -
Delayed diffuse cerebellar swelling after resection of medulloblastoma: case report and review of literature
In:
Child's Nervous System
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3496-9
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Efficacy, complications and cost of surgical interventions for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a systematic review of the literature
In:
Acta Neurochirurgica, vol. 159
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-016-3010-2
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Review article (Published) -
Focused ultrasound as a non-invasive intervention for neurological disease: a review
In:
British Journal of Neurosurgery, vol. 30
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/02688697.2016.1173189
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Literature review (E-pub ahead of print) -
Insinuating electronics in the brain
In:
The Surgeon
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2016.03.003
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Towards a 'siliconeural computer': technological successes and challenges
In:
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, vol. 373
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2014.0217
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
The LEAPTM Gesture Interface Device and Take-Home Laparoscopic Simulators: A Study of Construct and Concurrent Validity
In:
Surgical Innovation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1553350615594734
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Interventions for idiopathic intracranial hypertension
In:
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 8, pp. CD003434
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003434.pub3
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Accessible Laparoscopic Instrument Tracking ("InsTrac''): Construct Validity in a Take-Home Box Simulator
(6 pages)
In:
Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques, vol. 24, pp. 578-583
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/lap.2014.0015
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Engineering brain-computer interfaces: past, present and future
(7 pages)
In:
Journal of neurosurgical sciences, vol. 58, pp. 117-123
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Publication fate of abstracts presented at Society of British Neurological Surgeons meetings
In:
British Journal of Neurosurgery
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/02688697.2014.915008
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published)
Pituitary surgery in Edinburgh dates back to Norman Dott, who was one of the pioneers of transphenoidal surgery and who himself learned from Harvey Cushing. Pituitary surgery and other endoscopic anterior skull base surgery is now performed in collaboration with our ENT rhinology colleagues and also, on occasion, with oculoplastic surgeons. We work closely with local and regional endocrinology colleagues, dedicated neuro-oncologists, and meet once per month for a dedicated pituitary MDT and once per month for a regional skull base MDT.
We perform 40-50 endoscopic cases per year (predominantly for non-secretory and secretory pituitary adenomas and also operate on craniopharyngiomas, Rathke cleft cysts, chordoma, chondrosarcoma, meningioma and several other rarer pathologies). We aim to safely minimise length of stay in hospital, informed by an ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) policy.
We prospectively audit all facets of the service to monitor outcome measures, participate in national audit programs, and perform clinical research in this field. Our overall post-operative CSF leak rate in 2021-22 is 4.5%.
The following is some of our published work in this area:
Mian SY, Jayasangaram S, Qureshi A, Hughes MA. Exploring the impact of using patient-specific 3D prints during consent for skull base neurosurgery. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2022. IN PRESS. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-1885-1111
Hughes MA, Ho J, Keenlyside A, Sieradzki J, Statham PFX. The digital Cullen chart: a red colour perimetry aid for visual field examination. British Journal of Neurosurgery. 2022. 17:1-5.
Bandyopadhyay S, Khan DZ, Marcus HJ, et al. and CRANIAL Steering Committee. CSF Rhinorrhea After Endonasal Intervention to the Skull Base (CRANIAL) — Part 2: Impact of COVID-19. World Neurosurgery, Volume 149, 2021, e1090-e1097.
Khan DZ, Marcus HJ, et al. and CRANIAL Steering Committee. CSF Rhinorrhoea After Endonasal Intervention to the Skull Base (CRANIAL) - Part 1: Multicenter Pilot Study, World Neurosurgery, Volume 149, 2021, e1077-e1089.
Khan DJ, Marcus HJ, Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group (NANSIG), British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative (BNTRC), and CRANIAL Steering Committee. CSF rhinorrhoea after endonasal intervention to the anterior skull base (CRANIAL): proposal for a prospective multicentre observational cohort study, British Journal of Neurosurgery, DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2020.1795622
Hughes MA, Phillips N, Sheikh A, Tyagi A, Sethi K, Nix P. Is a single dose, single agent peri-operative antibiotic protocol adequate for endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery? A 10-year review of 422 cases. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2020
Hughes MA, Culpin D, Darley R, McKinlay J, Nix P, Smedley A, Tyagi A, Sheikh A, Phillips N. Enhanced recovery and accelerated discharge after endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: safety, patient feedback, and cost implications. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020. 162(6):1281-1286.
Raghu ALB, Flower HD, Statham PFX, Brennan PM, Hughes MA. Sellar remodelling after surgery for non-functioning pituitary adenoma: intercarotid distance as a predictor of recurrence. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2019. ePub