MGM Healthcare Performs Brain Tumour Surgery And Successfully Saves One-Year-Old Bangladeshi Baby

Chennai: A one-year-old girl baby from Bangladesh has undergone successful brain surgery at MGM Healthcare, a leading quaternary care center in the city. Surgeons removed a large tumor near the brain stem in a high-risk procedure, completed without complications or damage. The baby, Asifa (name changed), was discharged after two weeks in the ICU.

The tumor's location—a meningioma near the medulla, which controls vital functions like heart rate and breathing, made this case exceptionally rare, with only 30 documented instances in medical history. Emergency surgery was crucial as the baby's condition deteriorated, marked by persistent

vomiting, decreased appetite, and the risk of sudden unconsciousness.

In his comments Dr Roopesh Kumar, Director of Neurosurgery, MGM Healthcare, who led the surgical team, said, “Meningiomas are usually benign and slow growing, arising in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord," explained. However, they can cause problems by pressing on nearby tissues. In this rare case, the tumor was arising from the membranes near the medulla, affecting consciousness, balance, coordination, and swallowing. The baby had experienced repeated vomiting since seven months old, along with facial paralysis, delayed motor skills, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and dehydration upon admission”.

He added that the procedure was high risk. The surgeons needed a small opening at the back of the head, and infant anesthesia is always complex, as even minor blood loss can be critical. The tumor was difficult to remove as it was attached to several vital brain structures in a highly vascular region. Any damage to the surrounding areas could have resulted in permanent disability or even loss of life. The procedure required utmost precision, unwavering focus, and exceptional surgical expertise. It also involved high-end technology. The medical team utilised specialised neurophysiology monitoring to track real-time changes in brain connections during the procedure, ensuring maximum safety, which is again a major challenge in very young children.

This case is a testament to MGM Healthcare’s commitment to expertise, innovation, and cutting-edge technology, and teamwork, with neurosurgeons and neuroanesthetists working in perfect coordination. Following the surgery, the baby spent two weeks in the ICU, receiving tube feeding and physiotherapy. She has now gained better balance and independence and she is on track to leading a normal life.