53-Year-Old Male successfully treated for rare life-threatening brain tumor, earlier diagnosed as Brain TB

• The MRI scans suggested that the patient was suffering from brain TB but during the surgery, it was discovered that he had a large blood filled tumor medically known as Hemangioblastoma

• The entire mass was removed through a high-risk meticulous microscopic fine surgery which lasted for 7 hours without any severe blood loss

• Patient Underwent 4 stage procedure to get rid of his tumor.

New Delhi, 18^th Feb 2022: A 53-year-old patient was being treated with TB medications for a mass seen in the brain in Bihar. Despite 5 months of TB treatment in his hometown, there was a significant increase in the size of the mass. The patient was suffering from persistent headaches and physical imbalance. Seeing further deterioration in his health and in spite of regular medications, there wasn’t any improvement in his health. Thus, the patient was referred to Fortis Shalimar Bagh where he consulted Dr Sonal Gupta, Director & HOD – Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh. Dr. Gupta did a repeat MRI brain which revealed a large mass in the brain suggestive of TB.  Further diagnosis would reveal whether the tumor was malignant or non-malignant.

Taking into account the large size of the tumor (35*32*34 cm), it was decided to remove it surgically as medication wasn’t helpful in reducing the size of the mass. During the surgery, the doctors were surprised to discover a large mass full of blood vessels which was covering the left side of cerebellum (which is small brain). An immediate surgery was performed to remove the mass which would have otherwise led to other health complications like coma, limb weakness and accumulation of fluid in the brain.

Dr Sonal Gupta, Director & HOD -Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, said, “We were shocked the moment we began the surgery as we saw a large mass full of blood vessels in his brain. Without further delay, the patient was taken to the Cath lab for angiogram which helped us understand the source of the blood supply to the tumor. His reports confirmed that he was actually suffering from a rare kind of vascular tumor, medically known as Hemangioblastoma.  After detailed discussion with the neuro-intervention team, we decided to go ahead with embolization procedure which is injecting glue like material within the tumor to reduce the blood supply. But even embolization was difficult and only 30% of blood supply could be reduced.”

Dr Gupta, further elaborated, “It was a very challenging case for us. Repeat MRI scans and the first picture on MRI projected the patient as a case of Tuberculoma. This was a rare case of tumour in which MRI did not look like a hemangioblastoma but because it started increasing in size in the past 5 months, surgery was the only option left. We were surprised to see the large mass full of blood vessels instead of tuberculoma and had to immediate change our approach. With about only 30% of blood supply reduced with embolization, it was a big challenge to remove the huge vascular tumor. However, with meticulous microscopic fine surgery which lasted for 7 hours, the entire mass filled with blood vessels was removed without any major blood loss. After 2 days in neuro-ICU and 5 days in the ward, the patient was successfully discharged, went home walking without the support of wheel chair.”

Emangioblastoma is a benign, highly vascular tumor that can occur in the brain, spinal cord, and retina. This tumor accounts for about 2% of brain tumors. Even in the era of technology and advance clinical procedures, even advanced investigation modality like MRI can be misleading at times and can even lead to mortality.

Talking about the clinical excellence at Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, Mr. Mahipal Singh Bhanot, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital said, “This was a very rare case and Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh was successful in carrying out the operation despite many medical challenges. With our super specialised team of neurosurgeons under Dr. Sonal Gupta, the surgery was conducted with the help of high-end neuro navigation system and Kenovo microscope. In the past too, Fortis has executed several complex surgeries and these cases represent a challenge as they are quite rare cases of brain tumour, that had remained undiagnosed for long. I am proud to say that the neurosurgery team of Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh is well-equipped to handle any such complicated cases with precision and intricacy with the most advanced technology and infrastructure.”

About Fortis Healthcare Limited  

“Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.”