Recurring bouts of headache nagged him and his vision started to blur
Dr R. Vimala, dean, Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital, interacts with Mohanakrishnan, who underwent a rare Stereotactic surgery at the hospital. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: Recurring bouts of headache nagged him and his vision started to blur gradually and he could hardly find a cure for his strange malady. Finally, when Mohanakrishnan, 63, from Avadi, landed at the neurosurgery department of the Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital, here, he was found to have a large number of tumours in his brain.
A CT and MRI imaging of the brain confirmed the presence of about 10 tumours and that he had tuberculosis in the brain. Immediately, a team of doctors, led by neurosurgeon, Dr Ranganathan Jothi, removed a tumour through “painless” stereotactic surgery, last month.
“This rare surgery was possible thanks to the Stereotaxy equipment that was provided by the state government under the Chief Minister’s comprehensive health insurance scheme. This surgery facilitates the procedure with local anaesthesia and does not require general anaesthesia, thus avoiding major surgical procedures. The patient convalesced faster and could return home soon,” says Dr R. Vimala, dean, RGGGH.
According to Dr. Ranganathan Jothi, Stereotactic surgical equipment could also be used to treat persons with Parkinson’s, movement disorders, tremors and abnormal movements.
RGGGH, which had installed the Stereotactic surgical equipment on its premises, is the first state-run institution in TN to offer this treatment facility for free.
Mohanakrishnan was said to have walked to his ward after the surgery and is recovering well. Doctors who operated on him construe the tumours as “not life threatening” and could be dissolved through medicines. “His eyesight has improved and he will be on medication for about a year,” another doctor added.
Mohanakrishnan is among nine patients who had benefited through this new sophisticated equipment provided at a cost of Rs 55 lakh. It has been proposed to upgrade this facility by spending an additional '50 lakh. It could cost anywhere around '3 lakh to be treated through this procedure in private hospitals.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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