Srinagar Doctors Remove Complex Brain Tumor in 82-Year-Old

Doctors at PARAS Health Srinagar successfully removed a complex pituitary tumor from an 82-year-old woman, a procedure deemed high-risk due to her advanced age and multiple pre-existing conditions. The patient presented with sudden vision loss, severe headache, and altered mental status, alongside a critically low sodium level of 102 at admission.

Complex Patient Profile Posed Significant Challenges

The case presented particular difficulties as the patient had a pacemaker, was on blood-thinning medication, and suffered from severe hyponatremia. An MRI scan revealed a pituitary macroadenoma with apoplexy, a potentially life-threatening condition involving bleeding within the tumor.

A multidisciplinary team, including neurosurgery, endocrinology, cardiology, and anesthesia specialists, managed the patient. Dr. Basharat Kanth, Consultant Neurosurgery, and Dr. Danish Andrabi, Director of ENT & Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, led the effort. Previously, a government institution had deemed surgery unsuitable given her condition.

Medical Stabilization Preceded Surgical Intervention

At PARAS Health, the immediate focus was medical stabilization. Dr. Mehroosa, from Endocrinology, corrected the patient's severe electrolyte imbalance over five days, allowing the surgical team to proceed after optimization. The Cardiology Department, including Dr. Fayaz, Principal Consultant, also evaluated and optimized her condition due to her cardiac history and blood thinner use.

The tumor was completely removed using an extended endoscopic transsphenoidal approach, a minimally invasive technique accessing the pituitary region through the nasal passage. Dr. Andrabi noted the tumor's firm consistency and its close proximity to critical structures like the carotid and cavernous areas, requiring meticulous dissection.

Successful Outcome Highlights Coordinated Care

PARAS Health Srinagar

The patient was extubated immediately post-surgery and experienced no cerebrospinal fluid leakage or diabetes insipidus, common complications of pituitary surgery. She was discharged three days later in stable condition, with significant improvement in vision and resolution of her headache. Dr. Kanth stated that the case demonstrates that advanced age and multiple co-morbidities necessitate careful optimization rather than automatically precluding complex neurosurgical interventions. Dr. Murtuza Habib, Facility Director, emphasized the outcome reflected seamless coordination across multiple departments. Specialized Healthcare Access Expanding in Region Seema Vig, Senior Vice President and Regional Director at PARAS Health, highlighted the case as evidence of increasing availability of specialized healthcare in the region. She noted that complex cases require both surgical expertise and the ability to manage patients before and after surgery, underscoring the hospital's commitment to comprehensive local care.