Wednesday, May 12, 2010


Schwannoma in the parapharyngeal space ( Glossopharyngeal Nerve)

Tumors near the carotid bifurcation are usually diagnosed as carotid body tumors. This patient was also initially diagnosed as a case of carotid body tumor but after the surgery, the biopsy report came as Schwannoma and it was connected with the Glossopharngeal nerve. The Vagus nerve and carotid arteries are separated from the tumor but Glossopharyngeal nerve could not be separated from the tumor and the tumor was removed with nerve. The photograph is showing the relationship between the deep seated tumor and carotid artery bifurcation. The tumor was removed without sacrificing the carotid artery branches.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010


Deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing brain tumor surgeries


A Neurosurgeon will be operating on a large brain tumor successfully and in the post operative period some of his patients will be developing life threatening venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This is the CT image of a patient showing a large brain tumor. It was successfully removed by neurosurgeon and after discharge from the hospital, patient developed massive swelling of the lower limb and brought to the vascular surgeon. She received anti-coagulation therapy and the swelling subsided and thrombus was found to be re canalized during the follow up. Thrombo-prophylaxis (mechanical / chemical) may be helpful in these patients to prevent life threatening complications after a successful surgery.

A large aneurysm of the aorta at the level of the occluded renal arteries in a poor patient who is getting dialysis in a Govt general hospital through special health scheme (ARSR).


It is difficult and a Challenge to manage a large abdominal aortic aneurysm very close to (involving) the superior mesentric artery (SMA) in a patient who is getting hemodilaysis through a neck jugular line in the Govt hospital without significant morbidity and mortality. The CT scan is showing (see fig) a large aneurysm >10cm and intra vascular thrombus, and the patient has pre-rupture symptoms. The Govt scheme (ARSR) is supporting such treatments providing financial help up to Rs 1.25 Lakhs. The total care of such patients along with dialysis may be costing more than that and private hospitals will not be willing to take up such cases. The Govt hospitals are not in a position to take up such cases. It is very unlikely that centers will be coming forward to take these challenging operations without adequate financial planning.