Complex skull base surgery performed on 39-year-old in Hyderabad

The patient, Vallamalla Raju (39), had a tumor exerting pressure on the cerebellum and brainstem, resulting in significant hearing loss in his left ear. Dr. Mohd Hameed Shareef, the senior neurosurgeon who led the procedure, explained that IONM technology was employed to protect nerve functions during surgery. Continuous monitoring of the facial and trigeminal nerves enabled precise tumor removal while minimizing nerve damage.

Hyderabad: A team of surgeons from neurology, ENT and cardiology at Care Hospitals, Malakpet, collaborated to perform a life saving complex skull base surgery known as intraoperative neuro-monitoring (IONM) technology on a patient suffering with chronic giddiness and hearing difficulties due to a tumour near the base of his skull.

The patient, Vallamalla Raju (39) had the tumor pressing against the cerebellum and brainstem causing severe hearing loss in his left ear. Dr. Mohd Hameed Shareef, senior neurosurgeon, who led the treatment, said that IONM technology was utilized to safeguard nerve functions during the procedure. Continuous monitoring of the facial and trigeminal nerves allowed for precise tumor excision with minimal nerve damage.

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The surgery was a success, with the patient experiencing no facial weakness and even showing subtle improvement in hearing post-surgery. Biju Nair, Zonal COO, CARE Hospitals, congratulated the teams of surgeons for successfully taking-up such a complex surgery.