First-of-its-kind brain intervention in the state sets new benchmark in neurocritical care
Panaji, Goa | June 19, 2025 – In a milestone achievement for Goa’s medical community, Manipal Hospital Goa has successfully performed a life-saving neurosurgical intervention on a 50-year-old woman suffering from a ruptured brain abscess — a condition that is nearly always fatal without immediate and innovative intervention.
Using a first-of-its-kind neurosurgical protocol in the state, the hospital’s expert team not only stabilized the patient but also enabled her to make a complete neurological recovery, underscoring the power of medical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
🚨 A Critical Diagnosis: A Race Against Time
The patient, referred to as Kriti (name changed for privacy), was rushed to Manipal Hospital in a rapidly deteriorating state — high-grade fever, altered consciousness, severe headache, and limb weakness. MRI scans confirmed a deep abscess in the left hemisphere of her brain that had ruptured into the ventricles, the fluid-filled cavities responsible for circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
“Once an abscess ruptures into the ventricles, survival becomes extremely rare,” said Dr. Parul Dubey, Consultant Neurologist. “We had to act swiftly, think differently, and work as one.”
🛠️ The Game-Changer: A Bold Neurosurgical Strategy
Standard surgical approaches were deemed too risky due to the depth and complexity of the infection. In an unprecedented move, the team led by Dr. Omkar Churi, Consultant Neurosurgeon, implemented a novel use of the External Ventricular Drain (EVD) — typically used to relieve pressure in the brain.
This time, the EVD became a precision drug delivery system, allowing the team to administer antibiotics directly into the brain’s ventricles.
“We used the EVD not just for pressure relief, but to transform it into a conduit for direct, localised antibiotic therapy — a calculated risk, and it paid off,” explained Dr. Churi.
💉 Targeted Treatment, Full Recovery
Over the next two weeks:
- Targeted antibiotics were delivered directly into the brain via the EVD.
- Daily saline washes were performed to flush out infection.
- A four-week course of intravenous antibiotics accompanied the localized therapy.
Extreme sterile precautions were taken to prevent secondary infections. Follow-up MRIs showed complete resolution of the brain abscess, reduced swelling, and normalization of intracranial pressure.
Kriti made a full cognitive and physical recovery, regaining mobility and mental clarity. She was discharged in stable condition and has since resumed her daily activities.
🧬 A Turning Point for Neurosurgery in Goa
“This is not just a win for one patient. It’s a leap forward for neurosurgical innovation in Goa,” said Dr. Parul Dubey. “This case exemplifies how interdisciplinary teamwork and innovation can save lives even in the most high-risk scenarios.”
The effort was a multidisciplinary success, involving:
- Dr. Parul Dubey – Consultant Neurologist
- Dr. Omkar Churi – Consultant Neurosurgeon
- Dr. Milind Naik – Intensivist
- Dr. Marzook – Microbiologist
Their work represents a significant advancement in neurocritical care and offers a blueprint for similar interventions in resource-limited settings.
📚 About Brain Abscesses and Ventricular Rupture
Brain abscesses are rare but serious infections, often resulting from bacteria or fungi entering the brain via the bloodstream. When they rupture into the brain’s ventricular system:
- They increase intracranial pressure
- Disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
- Cause rapid neurological deterioration
- And significantly raise the risk of mortality
Manipal Hospital’s approach illustrates how minimally invasive, precision-based medicine can defy odds and redefine standards of care.
🏥 About Manipal Hospital Goa
Manipal Hospital Goa is a leading tertiary care facility in the region, offering state-of-the-art services in neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, and more. Known for medical excellence and compassionate care, the hospital continues to push boundaries in patient-centric treatment and clinical innovation.
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