Paralysed Jamshedpur man walks again after spinal tumor surgery

Jamshedpur, Feb 9: Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Hospital (BNMH), Jamshedpur, successfully operated patient with 5cm x 3cm x 2cm long spinal tumor. Saraswati Singh, 46 years old patient who is resident of Dhatkidih, Jamshedpur, was admitted to BNMH with complaints of paralysis of both the lower limbs and unable to pass urine and stool since three months.

Before coming to BNMH, the patient had sought medical advice with multiple local doctors but was not relieved of her complaints. She came to know about BNMH Neurosurgery department and Dr. Rajiv Maharshi, by her acquaintances. Patient was admitted to BNMH where Dr. Maharshi investigated with MRI, which showed large intradural extramedullary tumor at cervicodorsal junction of spinal cord extending over more than three Vertebrae causing severe compression of Spinal cord leading the patient bed ridden.

Post looking at the MRI, Dr Maharshi planned and executed the operation at BNMH. The tumor was 5cm x 3cm x 2cm in dimension extending from more than three Vertebrae intradural extramedullary in location, solid cystic, highly vascular. The tumor was compressing the spinal cord and resulting in slit like appearance of cord.  Spinal tumors are frequently encountered in neurosurgery OPD in BNMH. There are 3 types of spinal tumors based on location- extradural, Intradural extramedullary & Intramedullary. Meningiomas & Nerve sheet tumors account for most of the cases of intradural extramedullary tumors.

Most likely the tumor could be ependynoma which will be confirmed after histopathology examination. Post the operation, the condition of the patient is stable and discharged in stable condition and is now walking with support.

As per Dr. Maharshi, the uniqueness of this case was “long length of this tumor”.  In the past, Dr. Maharshi has operated more than 20 cases of such tumors at BNMH in last 2 year.

Commenting about this unique surgery, Dr Maharshi, Consultant- Neuro & Spine Surgery said, “The patient when admitted at the hospital, was in a very critical condition and needed immediate diagnosis to determine appropriate treatment. When it was diagnosed about a tumor which is the cause for the partial paralysis of lower body, Dr Maharshi and the team of experts took immediate measures and operated the patient. It is first of a kind tumor of this size was operated and removed from patients body at the Brahmanand Narayana Multispeciality Hospital. The patient is stable and recovering fast.”