Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria removes rare tumor compressing 80% of the spinal cord, helps 28-year-old woman reclaim her life
Life was moving fast for a 28-year-old working woman, until, quite suddenly, her body began to betray her. What began as nagging knee pain and occasional unsteadiness escalated into full-blown weakness in her limbs. Her arms grew limp, her legs could not hold her, and in a matter of months, she could not even swallow food. Meals would come out through her nose, and she had to be fed via alternative methods. Her once-independent life was reduced to a painful daily struggle.
Alarmed by her rapid decline, she consulted Dr. Sitansu Sekhar Nandi, Consultant Neurology Specialist, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, and was referred to Dr. R. N. Bhattacharya, Consultant Neurosurgeon, at Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria. When brought to Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, the young woman had severe neurological deficits. She presented with progressive weakness in both upper and lower limbs, abnormal sensations, more so on the right side, and almost complete loss of swallowing ability. Her illness had progressed to the extent that she was no longer able to carry out routine activities independently.
After the complex spinal surgery performed at Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, she is now walking again, with support, and eating without fear. She has not only regained her fundamental functions but also her hope, dignity, and promise of a future.
Dr. Sitansu Sekhar Nandi, Consultant Neurology Specialist, who first diagnosed her condition, stated,“When she came in, she had difficulty swallowing and even speaking. Examination revealed paralysis of the throat muscles, and all four limbs—what we call quadriplegia. We were alarmed. The MRI showed an unusually long tumor stretching from the upper spinal cord into the lower part of the brain—the medulla. We knew the surgery would be extremely high-risk, but without it, diagnosis and post-operative treatment wouldn’t be possible. The patient was diagnosed with intramedullary hemangioblastoma, an extremely rare tumor. The use of neuromonitoring during surgery proved invaluable—it alerts the surgical team in real time if any vital part of the brain or spinal cord is at risk. Thanks to this, the tumor was excised with precision and no neurological injury. The patient’s post-operative recovery has surpassed our expectations.”
Dr. R. N. Bhattacharya, Consultant Neurosurgeon, at Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, explained, “The MRI results were staggering. The massive intramedullary tumor was compressing the spinal cord and compromising vital centers responsible for movement, swallowing, and breathing. It occupied nearly 80% of the spinal cord diameter, which is exceedingly rare and extremely dangerous. What made the case even more delicate was the tumor’s proximity to the brainstem, which governs vital functions like respiration, heartbeat, and coordination between the brain and the rest of the body. A tiny mishap during surgery could have left the patient permanently ventilator-dependent—or worse, caused her death.”
To reduce the risks, the neurosurgical team consisting of Dr. R. N. Bhattacharya, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr. Sitansu Sekhar Nandi, Consultant Neurology Specialist, and Dr. Nirup Dutta, Consultant, Neurosurgery, opted for surgery with intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). This state-of-the-art technology provides real-time feedback on the spinal cord’s motor and sensory pathways during surgery, allowing the surgical team to monitor the patient’s neurological responses and prevent permanent injury.
Dr. Prakhar Gyanesh, Consultant, Anaesthesiology, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, played a pivotal role in this high-risk procedure. He said, “This wasn’t just a routine case of administering anesthesia. Every move had to be calculated. Coordinated teamwork and mutual trust between the neurosurgical and anesthetic teams is what
helped us sail through. When she was first admitted, she was unable to walk, and today, she’s smiling, talking, and walking again. Moments like these are what make all our work worthwhile.”
The surgery took place on March 22, 2025, and required meticulous dissection to preserve the spinal cord and brainstem functions while removing the tumor. Incredibly, the tumor was excised almost completely.
Recovery began almost immediately. Within two to three days, the patient’s swallowing reflex improved. She could consume food orally again. Over the following days, her limb strength began to return. The severe pain in her neck subsided, and she was able to walk with support within a week. While she has been discharged on 4th April 2025, she will have to continue physiotherapy and regularly come in for neurological follow-ups. Notably, the patient’s progress is still being monitored by the medical staff, and MRIs will be repeated every three months to ensure there are no indications of tumor recurrence—a constant threat with such unusual tumors.
