CARE Hospitals Saves 9-Month-Old Somali Baby with Rare Brain Tumour in Single Complex Surgery
Hyderabad: Doctors at CARE Hospitals, HITEC City, successfully treated a nine-month-old baby from Somalia suffering from life-threatening hydrocephalus caused by a very rare paediatric glioneural tumour arising from the choroid plexus. In a single surgery, neurosurgeons first inserted a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to divert excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to the abdominal cavity and relieve dangerously high pressure. During the same operation, they performed a craniotomy and completely removed the tumour.
The tumour was sent for biopsy, and histopathological examination by Consultant Pathologist Dr. Vijaya confirmed it as a very rare paediatric glioneural tumour originating from the choroid plexus. Doctors said performing two complex brain procedures during one surgery on a nine-month-old infant required meticulous planning and coordination among Neurosurgery, Anaesthesia, Radiology, Paediatrics and Pathology teams.
The baby recovered well after surgery, was shifted out of the ICU after stabilisation, and discharged within three days. Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr. Laxminadh Sivaraju said the tumour was continuously causing excessive cerebrospinal fluid accumulation, leading to dangerously high pressure inside the brain and enlargement of the head. Removing the tumour after relieving the pressure helped achieve an excellent recovery.
Hospital officials said the successful treatment highlights the advanced neurosurgical expertise available for managing rare paediatric brain conditions. Doctors also advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if infants develop persistent vomiting, poor feeding, excessive sleepiness, seizures, abnormal increase in head size or behavioural changes, as early diagnosis can prevent permanent brain damage.