Name: Mr. S

Condition : Tumour in Left Temporal Lobe

Age of Treatment: 46

Age Today: 47

In the heart of Deoghar, where spirituality thrives, Mr. S, a 46-year-old senior Pandit of Shri Shri Vaidyanath Dham, faced an unexpected challenge that put his life and devotion to the test. Known for his unwavering commitment to his duties and his deep knowledge of the mantras, Mr. S was a pillar of his community. However, in September 2023, he began to notice something alarming – he was frequently forgetting the chants that had been second nature to him. Initially attributing these lapses to stress and the pressures of his demanding role, he hoped the issue would resolve itself.

Despite consulting a local doctor and receiving medication, his symptoms not only persisted but intensified, now accompanied by severe headaches and vomiting. Alarmed and desperate for answers, Mr. S and his family sought the expertise of Narayana Hospital RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata, a beacon of hope known for its unwavering commitment to patient care over the past 24 years.

Upon arrival, Mr. S was evaluated by Dr. Amlan Mandal, a senior consultant neurologist. An MRI of the brain revealed devastating news – a substantial tumour in the left temporal lobe, surrounded by significant swelling. Recognizing the urgency, Dr. Mandal referred Mr. S to Dr. Amitabha Chanda, Senior Consultant in Brain & Spine Surgery.

Dr. Chanda, upon assessing Mr. S and his MRI, identified the immediate need for surgery. The tumour's location, perilously close to the speech area and critical brain fibers, posed a high risk of permanent speech and memory loss if not treated with utmost precision. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Dr. Chanda recommended an Awake Craniotomy, a procedure he pioneered in Eastern India.

Awake Craniotomy involves performing brain surgery while the patient is conscious, allowing the surgeon to monitor brain functions in real-time. This approach minimizes the risk of damaging essential brain areas controlling speech, movement, and memory. For Mr. S, this meant the difference between continuing his sacred duties and potentially losing his ability to perform them.

The surgery was meticulously planned with advanced techniques such as fMRI, MR tractography, and neuronavigation, ensuring the safest possible removal of the tumour. During the operation, Mr. S remained awake, engaging in conversation, chanting hymns, and reading texts, which guided Dr. Chanda in avoiding critical brain areas.

The surgery, lasting three and a half hours, was a success. Dr. Chanda skillfully resected the tumour, preserving Mr. S's speech and memory functions. Post-operative MRIs confirmed the complete removal of the tumour, and Mr. S made an exceptional recovery. After a brief four-day hospital stay, he returned to his community and resumed his duties as a Pandit, his life and devotion restored.

What is awake brain surgery?

Awake brain surgery also called awake craniotomy, is a procedure performed on the brain while the patient is awake and alert. Awake brain surgery is used to treat some brain (neurological) conditions, including some brain tumours. If the tumour is near the parts of the brain that control vision, movement or speech, an awake craniotomy may be needed. The surgeon may ask questions and monitor the activity in the patient’s brain as the patient responds. The patient’s responses help the surgeon to ensure that he or she treats the correct area of the brain needing surgery. The procedure also lowers the risk of damage to functional areas of the brain that could affect vision, movement or speech. The goal of awake craniotomy is to resect the mass as much as possible without excising the functional brain tissue. During testing, an awake patient will let the surgeon know if any functional tissue of the brain is being stimulated so that the surgeon can avoid resectioning this functional brain tissue.

Dr Amitabha Chanda pioneered Awake Cranial Surgery for Brain tumours in Eastern India. He has performed the highest number of Awake Cranial Surgeries (100) in Eastern India and Bangladesh.

Conclusion

This story is a testament to Narayana Health's dedication to patient-centered care, blending advanced medical technology with compassionate service. For 24 years, Narayana Health has been at the forefront of healthcare, providing hope and healing to countless patients like Mr. S, ensuring they can continue their life's work with health and vitality.