 |
Patient's brain images before and after surgery. Photo: Hospital provided |
A 26-year-old girl from Tay Ninh province arrived at S.I.S Can Tho International General Hospital suffering from severe headaches and dizziness. An MRI scan revealed a brain tumor measuring 6.2 x 6.5 x 7.3 cm, occupying nearly a quarter of her skull's volume. The patient reported experiencing persistent headaches for many years, but had dismissed them as symptoms of stress, lack of sleep, and work pressure.
The hospital convened a multidisciplinary consultation involving neurology, diagnostic imaging, neurovascular intervention, neurosurgery, and anesthesiology and resuscitation. The team determined that the large tumor required immediate surgical removal to prevent dangerous complications.
Preliminary examinations showed the tumor had a rich blood supply system, posing a significant risk of bleeding during surgery. Therefore, doctors prepared multiple contingency plans to control potential hemorrhage during the operation and developed a detailed surgical plan for each stage.
 |
Doctors examining the patient after surgery. Photo: Hospital provided |
The microsurgery lasted for nearly 9 hours, successfully excising the entire tumor while maximizing preservation of the patient's neurological function. Her health recovered well, all neurological functions were preserved, and she was subsequently discharged from the hospital.
Doctor Nguyen Quang Hung, Head of the hospital's Neurosurgery Unit, noted that the tumor's considerable size indicated it had silently existed in the patient's brain for at least 10 years or longer. He described this as a unique case because the condition progressed over a long period with atypical symptoms, leading patients to underestimate their condition.
Neurological experts advise that individuals experiencing prolonged, recurrent headaches or those accompanied by dizziness, limb weakness, vision loss, facial drooping, speech difficulties, or seizures should seek prompt examination and timely treatment at a specialized medical facility.
An Binh
