Rare 6cm Brain Tumor Successfully Operated in Toddler at Himalayan Hospital

Dehradun: Doctors at Himalayan Hospital, Dehradun, have successfully performed a highly complex neurosurgery on a 1.5-year-old child, removing a large 6-centimeter craniopharyngioma from the brain.

The tumor is among the largest of its kind to be operated on in such a young patient in India, making the procedure particularly challenging for the surgical team.

The surgery was led by Dr. Brajesh Tiwari, Senior Neurosurgeon at Himalayan Hospital. He managed to remove the tumor entirely without causing any post-operative neurological deficits, allowing the child to recover safely.

Dr. Tiwari explained, “Operating on a toddler’s brain requires extreme precision. The anatomical structures are very small, and the tumor’s size and critical location added to the complexity.

Our main goal was to remove the tumor completely while preserving surrounding vital brain structures to prevent complications.”

The procedure was carried out with coordinated teamwork. Dr. Tiwari was assisted by Dr. Sanjeev Pandey and Dr. Ankit Bhatia, while the anesthesia team, led by Dr. Veena Asthana and Dr. Gurjeet Khurana, ensured the child remained stable throughout. Pediatric specialist Dr. Ashish Kumar monitored the post-operative recovery, ensuring the child returned to normal activities safely.

The treatment was fully covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Bharat scheme), relieving the family of financial stress and providing access to advanced care.

Dr. Ranjit Kumar, Head of Neurosurgery at Himalayan Hospital, praised the team effort and highlighted the skill required to perform such a delicate procedure on a very young patient.

This case adds to Dr. Tiwari’s experience in complex neurosurgical operations. He previously performed the clipping of a supra-giant brain aneurysm in a 20-year-old patient, one of the largest treated in India, where the patient was able to walk the following day, reflecting the precision and expertise of the surgical team.

The child is now under regular follow-up, showing steady progress in motor and cognitive functions. Doctors emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention in managing such complex brain tumors.