Sahyadri Hospitals treats 57-year-old female patient with rare brain tumour, ET HealthWorld
Pune: A 57-year-old female patient, who had been experiencing severe headaches and difficulty walking, has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing a complex neurosurgical procedure at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar. The patient, who had visited multiple hospitals in the city prior to coming to the Hadapsar facility, was diagnosed with multiple meningioma located at craniovertebral junction, a rare condition where two or more nonmalignant brain tumour develop in different areas of the brain, occurring in only 1-10 per cent of cases.
Dr Siraj Basade, Senior Neurosurgeon, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar led the delicate and highly complex surgery that resulted in a complete tumour excision. The procedure was guided by the latest intra-operative neuro-monitoring and ultrasound technology, which played a crucial role in ensuring the safe and successful removal of the tumour.
The patient initially came to the hospital with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure (increased pressure in the brain), along with weakness in her arms and stiffness in her legs, which made walking difficult. An MRI scan showed that the largest tumour was pressing against the cerebellopontine angle and displacing key structures like the vertebral artery and the spinal cord. This was also blocking the flow of fluid in her brain, leading to her severe headaches.
To relieve the pressure, doctors first performed a procedure called a VP (ventriculoperitoneal) shunt to drain the excess fluid from her brain, which immediately reduced her headaches. Once stabilised, the patient underwent a more complex surgery, called a posterior fossa craniotomy, where the skull was opened at the back of the head to access and remove the tumours. The surgery was guided by special monitoring equipment to ensure the procedure was safe and successful.
“This advanced technology allowed us to safely navigate around critical parts of the brain and successfully remove the tumour without causing damage,” explained Dr Basade. “The use of intra-operative neuro-monitoring and ultrasound was key to ensuring the patient’s safety during such a delicate procedure.”
Post-surgery, the patient experienced a dramatic improvement in her condition. She regained her ability to walk normally and muscle strength with the help of physiotherapy and has made a full recovery. This case represents one of the rarest occurrences, as only one in lakhs brain tumour patients present with such a unique condition involving the brainstem.
Dr Basade emphasised the importance of the advanced surgical techniques used in this case, “This patient had a very rare and complex tumour, and without the use of intra-operative neuro-monitoring and ultrasound, the surgery could have posed significant risks. The technology allowed us to navigate around critical structures, such as the vertebral artery and cervical cord, to ensure a safe and complete tumour removal.”
