Two middle aged women, each diagnosed with complex brain aneurysms in three different vessels were successfully treated by doctors at Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital through a single endovascular session. Utilising cutting-edge neurovascular technology, Endovascular Coiling of Aneurysms, the hospital reduced the risk and recovery time of the surgery. Currently, the two patients are recovering well, with no complications and are ready to take on life with a gusto of receiving another lease of life.
Dr. Gowtham Kuncha, Consultant and Interventional Neurosurgeon performed the minimally invasive procedure, known as Endovascular Coiling of Aneurysms with the support of Dr Mukuntharajan, Senior Consultant, Head, Department of Interventional Radiology, Dr. Selvamuthukumaran, Senior Consultant and HOD, Department of Neurosurgery, Dr Senthilkumar, Senior Consultant, Department of Neurosurgery and at the hospital’s state-of-the-art Biplane Cath Lab.
Brain aneurysms are balloon-like dilations in the blood vessels present in the brain forming due to various causes. If ruptured they can lead to life-threatening subarachnoid haemorrhage (internal brain bleeding). If left untreated it is likely that they will rupture. This can be life threatening. The incidence of ruptured aneurysms is around 6 to 10 per 1 lakh population each year. The shocking statistic is that nearly 50% of people suffering from brain aneurysms die due to the first rupture.
Traditionally, aneurysms have been operated on with open microsurgical clipping. In the cases of these two women, a unique approach was taken by the surgical team at Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital. They used a minimally invasive technique known as Endovascular Coiling of Aneurysmsto offer the best course of treatment. This is a minimal invasive procedure wherein small catheters are inserted into the brain blood vessels through a blood vessel in the thigh and deploy small metal coils inside the aneurysms thereby stopping blood to enter the aneurysm and preventing the chance of rupture. Each surgery took about 4 hours.
In his comments, Dr Gowtham Kuncha, Consultant and Interventional Neurosurgeon at Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital said, “The two patients had three aneurysms which are balloon like dilations in the deep locations of brainwhich when ruptured can result in bleeding in brain. It is more likely that the aneurysms will rupture again if left untreated and thus can be life threatening. Moreover, treating them surgically would be very risky and time consuming. As we chose to treat all the three aneurysms in a single session which is possible with endovascular approach, all three aneurysms were successfully coiled in both these patients. Having a biplane angio suite significantly reduces the duration of procedure and greatly improves the safety.”
Speaking about the technology incorporated, Dr.Selvamuthukumaran, Senior Consultant and HOD, Department of Neurosurgery at Meenakshi Super Speciality Hospital said, “Both the patients presented with sudden severe headache, typically described as thunderclap headache followed by loss of consciousness. Ruptured aneurysms should be treated as early as possible as they tend to re-rupture if not treated and each rupture increase the mortality significantly. In both the cases, we incorporated biplane angio suite which provided real-time 3D vascular imaging, allowing high-precision navigation through complex vascular anatomy with reduced contrast load and radiation exposure. This technology helped ease the complexity of the case and currently both the patients areback to their normal life without any residual effects.”
Mr. Dilipfrom the hospital was also present during the press meet.